Inter-State Water Disputes
Indian Polity & Governance
- PYQs8
- Articles1
Background
Fundamental to understanding Indian federalism, resource management, constitutional law, and socio-economic development challenges. It tests knowledge of constitutional provisions, administrative mechanisms, and their practical implications.
Inter-State Water Disputes in India arise from the constitutional framework that places water in the State List, while also empowering the Union Parliament to legislate on inter-state rivers. These disputes often involve the sharing of river waters among riparian states, impacting irrigation, power generation, and drinking water supply, and are resolved through constitutional mechanisms like tribunals.
Facts & tables
- Constitutional Basis
- Article 262 of the Indian Constitution empowers Parliament to legislate for the adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-state rivers.
- Parliamentary Act
- The Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, provides for the constitution of tribunals for dispute resolution.
- Challenges
- Delays in tribunal awards, non-implementation, and political interference often complicate resolution.
- Impact
- Affects agricultural productivity, regional development, and federal harmony.
| Dispute | River Basin | States Involved |
|---|---|---|
| Cauvery Water Dispute | Cauvery | Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Puducherry |
| Krishna Water Dispute | Krishna | Maharashtra, Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana |
| Godavari Water Dispute | Godavari | Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Madhya Pradesh, Odisha, Telangana |
| Type | Reference |
|---|---|
| Conceptual area | Federal Structure & Centre-State Relations |
| Conceptual area | Indian Hydrography & Water Bodies |
| Body | Role |
|---|---|
| Inter-State Water Disputes Tribunal | Adjudicates |
| Ministry of Jal Shakti | Facilitates |
| Parliament of India | Legislates |
Prelims angle
Prelims angle: Factual recall
Prelims angle: Conceptual understanding
- Art 262 empowers Parliament for inter-state river water disputes.
- Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, enables tribunal formation.
- Tribunals' awards are final and binding, equivalent to Supreme Court orders.
- Challenges include delays, non-compliance, and political complexities.
- Impacts irrigation, power, and drinking water across states.
Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.
| Year | Framing tags |
|---|---|
| 2025 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2025 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2024 | Statement-based questions, Factual recall |
| 2023 | Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall |
| 2023 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
| 2016 | Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions |
| 2014 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
| 2013 | Factual recall, Conceptual understanding |
Timeline
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Federal Structure & Centre-State Relations
Conceptual area
-
Indian Hydrography & Water Bodies
Conceptual area
-
Prelims 2013
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2014
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2016
Factual recall, Institutional roles and functions
-
Prelims 2023
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2023
Factual recall, Conceptual understanding
-
Prelims 2024
Statement-based questions, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2025
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Prelims 2025
Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall
-
Harish demands clarity from CM on three-State water talks
Inter-State Water Disputes are constitutional challenges in India's federal structure, primarily concerning river water sharing, governed by Article 262 and the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, often resolved by tribunals but facing implementation hurdles.
See also
Past papers
2013–2025 · 8 questions
In the news
Harish demands clarity from CM on three-State water talks
Inter-State Water Disputes are constitutional challenges in India's federal structure, primarily concerning river water sharing, governed by Article 262 and the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, often resolved by tribunals but facing implementation hurdles.
Try these PYQs
The power of the Supreme Court of India to decide disputes between the Centre and the States falls under its
Article 131 of the Constitution of India provides for the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to settle the disputes between the different units of the Indian Federation such as between the Centre and one or more states and, between the states.
Consider the following pairs:
State – Description
I. Arunachal Pradesh : The capital is named after a fort, and the State has two National Parks.
II. Nagaland : The State came into existence on the basis of a Constitutional Amendment Act.
III. Tripura : Initially a Part 'C' State, it became a centrally administered territory with the reorganization of States in 1956 and later attained the status of a full-fledged State.
How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?
This question tests knowledge of historical and administrative facts about northeastern Indian states. ✅ Pair I: Arunachal Pradesh – Correct
* Itanagar, the capital, is named after Ita Fort.
* The state has two National Parks: Namdapha and Mouling. ✅ Pair II: Nagaland – Correct
* Nagaland attained statehood via a constitutional amendment and came into being on 1 December 1963 through the State of Nagaland Act, 1962. ✅ Pair III: Tripura – Correct
* Tripura was a Part 'C' state, became a Union Territory in 1956, and was granted statehood in 1972.
Consider the following statements :
1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a duty to protect States from internal disturbances.
2. The Constitution of India exempts the States from providing legal counsel to a person being held for preventive detention.
3. According to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002, confession of the accused before the police cannot be used as evidence.
How many of the above statements are correct?
* Statement 1 is correct: According to Article 355 of the Indian Constitution, it shall be the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that the government of every State is carried on in accordance with the provisions of this Constitution. * Statement 2 is correct: Article 22(3)(b) mentions that individuals detained under preventive detention laws are not initially entitled to consult or be defended by a legal practitioner until the grounds of detention are disclosed to them. Although the constitution allows for exceptions in preventive detention cases, it does not prohibit state governments from providing legal counsel to the detained person. The state has the discretion to offer legal assistance if it wishes. * Statement 3 is incorrect: Section 32(1) of POTA 2002 allows confessions made to a police officer of at least Superintendent rank, overriding certain provisions of the Code of Criminal Procedure and the Indian Evidence Act.
With reference to the Government of India Act, 1935, consider the following statements:
1. It provided for the establishment of an All India Federation based on the union of the British Indian Provinces and Princely States.
2. Defence and Foreign Affairs were kept under the control of the federal legislature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
* Statement 1 is correct. The Government of India Act, 1935, proposed an All India Federation that would encompass both the British Indian Provinces and the Princely States. However, this federation never fully materialized due to the reluctance of many Princely States to join. * Statement 2 is incorrect. The Act reserved key subjects like Defence and Foreign Affairs under the control of the Governor General, representing the British Crown, and not the federal legislature. This ensured British dominance in these crucial areas.
With reference to Home Guards, consider the following statements :
1. Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards act and Rules of the Central Government.
2. The role of the Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the police in maintenance of internal security.
3. To prevent infiltration on the international border/coastal areas, the Border Wing Home Guards Battalions have been raised in some States.
How Many of the above statements are correct?
* Statement 1 is incorrect: Home Guards are raised under the Home Guards Act and Rules of the States/Union Territories (not the central Government). They are recruited from all classes of people and walks of life, who give their spare time to the organisation for the betterment of the community. * Statement 2 is correct: The role of Home Guards is to serve as an auxiliary force to the Police in the maintenance of internal security situations, help the community in any kind of emergency such as an air raid, fire, cyclone, earthquake, epidemic, etc., help in the maintenance of essential services, promote communal harmony and assist the administration in protecting weaker sections, participate in socio-economic and welfare activities and perform Civil Defence duties. * Statement 3 is correct: Fifteen Border Wing Home Guards (BWHG) Battalions have been raised in the border States viz. Punjab (6 Bns.), Rajasthan ( 4 Bns.), Gujarat (2 Bns.), and one each Battalion for Meghalaya, Tripura, and West Bengal to serve as an auxiliary to Border Security Force for preventing infiltration on the international border/coastal areas, guarding of VA/VPs and lines of communication in the vulnerable area at the time of external aggression. Therefore, only two statements are correct.
Show 3 more PYQs
The Parliament can make any law for whole or any part of India for implementing international treaties
The Indian Parliament has the authority to enact laws applicable throughout the country (or any specific region) to fulfil its obligations under international treaties. This power is enshrined in Article 253 of the Indian Constitution. Unlike some situations where the Parliament might require state consent for legislative actions, Article 253 grants the authority to enact these laws without needing approval from individual states. Also, the Constitution empowers Parliament to make laws on any matter in the state list under five extraordinary circumstances
- Rajya Sabha passes the resolution(Article 249) - During a National Emergency (Article 250, read with Article 352)
- States make a request(Article 252) - To implement international agreements(Article 253) - During the President's rule (Article 356).
With reference to India, consider the following:
I. The Inter-State Council
II. The National Security Council
III. Zonal Councils
How many of the above were established as per the provisions of the Constitution of India?
Among the listed bodies, only the Inter-State Council is established by the Constitution of India. The others are based on statutory or executive provisions. ✅ I. Inter-State Council – Correct
* Established under Article 263 of the Constitution to facilitate Centre-State coordination. ❌ II. National Security Council – Incorrect
* Formed in 1998 by an executive order, not mentioned in the Constitution. ❌ III. Zonal Councils – Incorrect
* Established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, a statutory but non-constitutional body.
The Parliament of India acquires the power to legislate on any item in the State List in the national interest if a resolution to that effect is passed by the -
As per Article 249 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament of India can legislate on a subject in the State List if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution stating that it is necessary in the national interest. This resolution must be approved by a majority of not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting. Once passed, this resolution empowers Parliament to make laws on the specified subject for a period of one year, which can be extended further by passing another resolution.