Article 263 gives India its Inter-State Council, and a 1956 reorganisation law gives it five Zonal Councils

Background

The Inter-State Council is set up under Article 263 of the Constitution. It has been assigned the duties of investigating and discussing subjects in which some or all of the States, or the Union and one or more of the States, have a common interest; of making recommendations for better co-ordination of policy and action on those subjects; and of deliberating upon such other matters of general interest to the States. In the second meeting of the Inter-State Council, held on 15.10.1996, the Council set up a Standing Committee under the Chairmanship of the Home Minister for continuous consultation and for processing matters for the Council's consideration. The five Zonal Councils created under a provision of the States Reorganization Act, 1956 also provide a meeting ground to States and Union Territories in each zone for resolution of inter-state and regional issues, for balanced socio-economic regional development and for building harmonious Centre-State relations. Together, the Inter-State Council and the Zonal Councils provide a mechanism for cooperative Centre-State relations across social and economic planning, infrastructure, security, environment and inter-state transport.