NCERT Class 11 Political Science — Chapter 2: Federalism

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Which list in the Constitution assigns legislative competence over matters such as adulteration and adoption and succession?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

AResiduary Powers
BConcurrent List
CUnion List
DState List

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is Concurrent List.

Explanation

The Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India distributes legislative powers between the Union and the States through three lists: Union List (List I), State List (List II), and Concurrent List (List III). The Concurrent List comprises subjects of common interest where both the Parliament and State Legislatures have the authority to frame laws.

Detailed Analysis:

Adulteration: Entry 18 of the Concurrent List explicitly mentions "Adulteration of foodstuffs and other goods". This classification allows both the Centre and States to enact legislation to ensure food safety and prevent the circulation of substandard goods (e.g., The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006).
Adoption: Entry 5 of the Concurrent List deals with personal law matters. It specifically lists "Marriage and divorce; infants and minors; adoption; wills, intestacy and succession; joint family and partition". Inclusion in the Concurrent List facilitates a degree of national uniformity in personal laws while permitting state-specific amendments to accommodate local customs.

Key Takeaway:
Subjects requiring a uniform basic framework across the country but allowing for regional variations, such as criminal law, personal laws (adoption, succession), and socio-economic regulations (adulteration), are placed in the Concurrent List.

Your note

More from Chapter 2: Federalism

Consider the following statements regarding the evolution of state boundaries in India: 1. At the time of independence, the provinces were organized primarily based on linguistic distinctiveness to ensure cultural homogeneity. 2. The integration of princely states involved their merger into existing provinces or the creation of new administrative units. 3. The renaming of states, such as Mysore to Karnataka, reflects the constitutional flexibility regarding the identity of constituent units. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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hard

With reference to the essential characteristics of a federal system, consider the following statements: 1. It mandates a system of dual citizenship to foster regional and national loyalties simultaneously. 2. It requires a written constitution that serves as the supreme source of power for both the central and regional governments. 3. It necessitates an independent judiciary to adjudicate disputes regarding the division of powers. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Which statement best describes the Indian Constitution's approach to federalism?

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Article 1 of the Constitution describes India as:

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The correct option is Concurrent List.

Explanation

Detailed Analysis:

Adulteration: Entry 18 of the Concurrent List explicitly mentions "Adulteration of foodstuffs and other goods". This classification allows both the Centre and States to enact legislation to ensure food safety and prevent the circulation of substandard goods (e.g., The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006).
Adoption: Entry 5 of the Concurrent List deals with personal law matters. It specifically lists "Marriage and divorce; infants and minors; adoption; wills, intestacy and succession; joint family and partition". Inclusion in the Concurrent List facilitates a degree of national uniformity in personal laws while permitting state-specific amendments to accommodate local customs.