Constitutional state · 2026
Constitution of India
Part XI — Relations between the Union and the States
Article256
Obligation of States and the Union
The executive power of every State shall be so exercised as to ensure compliance with the laws made by Parliament and any existing laws which apply in that State, and the executive power of the Union shall extend to the giving of such directions to a State as may appear to the Government of India to be necessary for that purpose:
In plain language
State governments must comply with parliamentary laws. The Union can give directions to a State to make that compliance real.
This wording has been in force since 1950 on this desk.
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