General Knowledge - Indian Politics - Discussion

Union list consists of 100 items (previously 97 items) on which the parliament has exclusive power to legislate with including: defence, armed forces, arms and ammunition, atomic energy, foreign affairs, war and peace, citizenship, extradition, railways, shipping and navigation, airways, posts and telegraphs, telephones, wireless and broadcasting, currency, foreign trade, inter-state trade and commerce, banking, insurance, control of industries, regulation and development of mines, mineral and oil resources, elections, audit of Government accounts, constitution and organisation of the Supreme Court, High Courts and union public service commission, income tax, custom duties and export duties, duties of excise, corporation tax, taxes on capital value of assets, estate duty, terminal taxes.

Concurrent list consists of 52 items (previously 47 items). Uniformity is desirable but not essential on items in this list: Marriage and divorce, transfer of property other than agricultural land, education, contracts, bankruptcy and insolvency, trustees and trusts, civil procedure, contempt of court, adulteration of foodstuffs, drugs and poisons, economic and social planning, trade unions, labour welfare, electricity, newspapers, books and printing press, stamp duties.

State list consists of 61 items (previously 66 items). Uniformity is desirable but not essential on items in this list: maintaining law and order, police forces, healthcare, transport, land policies, electricity in state, village administration, etc.The state legislature has exclusive power to make laws on these subjects. But in certain circumstances,the parliament can also make laws on subjects mentioned in the State list.

But Parliament can make laws on the subject of State Lists provided that the bill is passed by special majority in Rajya Sabha.

State Assemblies enjoy legislative power over state list and rest two lists are by Parliament.

What is the meaning of union and concurrent list and what is the difference between the two?

Parliament enjoy legislative power over union list and concurrent list.

This is because the third list is controlled by the state government.

But Rajya sabha can also enjoy state list.