Question

Given below are two statements: one is labelled as Assertion A and the other is labelled as Reason R.
Assertion A: The Constitution of India distributes legislative power between Parliament and State legislatures.
Reason R: The residual powers are vested in State legislatures.
In the light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below

• A. Both A and R are correct and R is the correct explanation of A
• B. Both A and R are correct but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
• C. A is correct but R is not correct
• D. A is not correct but R is correct

Hint:

In India, residual powers are vested in the Union Government, unlike some federal systems where states hold residual powers.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is C

Concept:
India follows a federal system of government in which legislative powers are divided between the Union Government and the State Governments. The Constitution clearly defines this distribution of powers.

Step 1: Examine Assertion A. The Constitution distributes legislative powers between:
• Parliament
• State Legislatures through the: \[ \text{Union List, State List, and Concurrent List} \] mentioned in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution. Therefore, Assertion A is correct.

Step 2: Understand the three legislative lists.
• Union List -- Subjects on which only Parliament can make laws
• State List -- Subjects on which State Legislatures can make laws
• Concurrent List -- Subjects on which both Parliament and States can legislate This division ensures proper functioning of the federal structure.

Step 3: Examine Reason R. Reason R states that residual powers are vested in State Legislatures. This statement is incorrect. In India, residual powers belong to: \[ \text{Parliament (Union Government)} \] and not the States. Residual powers refer to subjects not mentioned in any of the three lists.

Step 4: Determine the relationship between A and R. Since:
• Assertion A is correct
• Reason R is incorrect the correct option is: \[ \text{A is correct but R is not correct} \]

Step 5: Conclusion. Therefore, the correct answer is: \[ \boxed{\text{A is correct but R is not correct}} \]