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Question

How many Zonal Councils were set up vide Part-III of the States Re-organization Act, 1956?

This question was previously asked in
CDS I 2019 Elementary Mathematics Previous Year Paper (03-Feb-2019)
The correct answer is

Five

Understanding Zonal Councils Setup by the States Reorganisation Act, 1956

The question asks about the number of Zonal Councils established by Part-III of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. This act was a significant step in reorganizing the states of India on a linguistic basis.

The States Reorganisation Act, 1956 and Zonal Councils

The States Reorganisation Act, 1956 was enacted to implement the recommendations of the States Reorganisation Commission. Besides redrawing state boundaries, the Act also provided for the creation of Zonal Councils.

Part-III of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, specifically deals with the establishment and functioning of Zonal Councils. These councils were envisioned as statutory bodies to promote cooperation and coordination among states in various fields.

Number of Zonal Councils Established

According to Part-III of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, five Zonal Councils were initially set up. These councils covered specific geographical zones of India.

The five Zonal Councils established by the 1956 Act were:

  • The Northern Zonal Council
  • The Central Zonal Council
  • The Eastern Zonal Council
  • The Western Zonal Council
  • The Southern Zonal Council

These councils were created to foster interstate cooperation in economic and social planning, border disputes, linguistic minorities, and interstate transport.

Therefore, the number of Zonal Councils set up vide Part-III of the States Re-organization Act, 1956 is five.

Summary of Zonal Councils under 1956 Act

Here is a brief overview of the Zonal Councils created by the Act:

Council Name States Included (Initial Composition)
Northern Zonal Council Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jammu & Kashmir, Punjab, Rajasthan, Delhi, Chandigarh
Central Zonal Council Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Madhya Pradesh
Eastern Zonal Council Bihar, Jharkhand, Odisha, West Bengal
Western Zonal Council Goa, Gujarat, Maharashtra, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli
Southern Zonal Council Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Puducherry

Note: The composition of these councils has changed over time with the creation of new states and Union Territories.

Revision Table: States Reorganisation Act and Zonal Councils

Key Aspect Details
Act States Reorganisation Act, 1956
Relevant Part Part-III
Purpose Establishment of Zonal Councils
Number of Councils Initially Set Up Five
Names of Councils Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, Southern
Nature of Body Statutory Body

Additional Information: Zonal Councils and Indian Federalism

While the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 established five Zonal Councils, a sixth Zonal Council, the North Eastern Council, was created later under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971. This council specifically covers the states in the North Eastern region.

Zonal Councils serve as important forums for inter-state coordination and cooperation. They provide a platform for states to discuss common issues, resolve disputes, and promote integrated development in their respective zones. The Union Home Minister serves as the Chairman of each of the five Zonal Councils established under the 1956 Act. The North Eastern Council has a different structure.

Understanding the role and structure of these Zonal Councils is important for comprehending the cooperative federalism framework in India, particularly in the context of state reorganization.

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