How does the Indian Constitution define the distribution of powers between the centre and the states? Explain with examples.

The Constitution provides a three-fold distribution of legislative powers between the Union Government and the State Governments. It contains three lists:

(i) Union List includes subjects of national importance, such as defence of the country, foreign affairs, banking, communications and currency.

(ii) The Union Government alone can make laws relating to the subjects mentioned in the Union List as we need a uniform policy on these matters throughout the country.

(iii) State List contains subjects of State and local importance, such as police, trade, commerce, education, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption and succession.

(iv) State government makes the laws relating to the subjects mentioned in this list.

(v) Concurrent List includes subjects of the common interest to both the Union as well as the state governments, such as education, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption and succession.

(vi) Both the Union as well as the State governments can make laws on the subjects mentioned in this list. If their laws conflict with each other, the law made by the Union Government will prevail.

(vii) There are some subjects like computer software that came up after the Constitution was made. Our Constitution has given the power to make laws on these ‘residuary’ subjects to the Union Government.