The Inter-State Council consists of ________ ministers of Cabinet rank in the Union Council of Ministers nominated by the Prime Minister of India.

The correct answer is six.

Key Points

• The Inter-State-Council was set up under Article 263 of the Constitution of India vide Presidential Order dated 28.5.1990.
• Inter-State Council is a recommendatory body with duties to investigate and discuss the subjects of common interest between the Union and State(s). 
• The inter-state council is Chaired by the Prime Minister. 
• The present composition of the Council is as follows: 
  • Prime Minister(Chairman)
  • Chief Ministers of all States
  • Chief Ministers of Union Territories having a Legislative Assembly and Administrators of UTs not having a Legislative Assembly and
  • Governors of States under President’s Rule(Governor’s Rule in the case of J&K)
  • Six Ministers of Cabinet rank in the Union Council of Ministers to be nominated by the Prime Minister.
  • Four Ministers of Cabinet rank as Permanent invitees Members. 

Note:- Other Ministers and Ministers of State having independent charge in the Union Government may be invited as permanent invitees if so nominated by the Chairman of the Council, or as and when any item relating to a subject under their charge is to be discussed.

Additional Information

• ​The Union Government constituted a Commission in 1983 under the Chairmanship of Justice R.S. Sarkaria to review the working of the existing arrangements between the Union and the States.
• ​One of the important recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission was for establishing a permanent Inter-State Council as an independent national forum for consultation with a mandate well defined in accordance with Article 263 of the Constitution of India.