40. In its judgment on February 2, 2026, the Supreme Court directed the Union Government to constitute an inter-state water disputes tribunal to adjudicate a river water-sharing conflict between Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Which river is at the centre of this dispute?
[RRB Group D 2025 Official Paper – 9 August 2026, Shift 3]
(A) Krishna River
(B) Pennaiyar River
(C) Godavari River
(D) Cauvery River
Answer: (B) Pennaiyar River
Explanation: The Pennaiyar River dispute involves Karnataka and Tamil Nadu, particularly over upstream water diversion and construction activities. Under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, a specialised tribunal can adjudicate disputes concerning the use and distribution of interstate river waters.
39. What is the primary function of the Inter-State Council in India?
[DSSSB Assistant Superintendent – 4 July 2026, Shift 2]
(A) Promoting coordination between states and the centre
(B) Allocating central taxes among states
(C) Reviewing the implementation of federal laws
(D) Resolving inter-state water disputes
Answer: (A) Promoting coordination between states and the centre
Explanation: Article 263 provides for the Inter-State Council to promote cooperation and policy coordination between the Union and states. Its constitutional functions include discussing common interests, advising on interstate disputes and recommending coordinated governmental action. It does not allocate central taxes.
38. The Inter-State Council, formed to improve relations between the Union and States, is chaired by whom?
[DSSSB Assistant Superintendent – 2 July 2026, Shift 1]
(A) Vice President
(B) Home Minister
(C) Chief Justice of India
(D) Prime Minister
Answer: (D) Prime Minister
Explanation: The Prime Minister is the ex-officio Chairman of the Inter-State Council. Established through a Presidential Order in 1990 following the Sarkaria Commission’s recommendations, the Council brings together Union and state representatives to strengthen consultation, cooperation and coordinated policymaking.
37. Five Zonal Councils were established through the:
[UGC NET Political Science – 24 June 2026, Shift I]
(A) 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1976
(B) States Reorganisation Act, 1956
(C) Efforts of the Chief Ministers’ Conference
(D) Legislation passed during the first NDA regime
Answer: (B) States Reorganisation Act, 1956
Explanation: Five Zonal Councils were created under Part III of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. They are statutory, advisory institutions promoting interstate cooperation. The North Eastern Council was established separately under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971.
36. In 2026, which inter-state dispute between Punjab and Haryana resurfaced prominently due to renewed legal and political tensions over water sharing?
[OSSSC Forester, Forest Guard and Excise Constable – 2 May 2026, Shift 3]
(A) Mahanadi Water Dispute
(B) Krishna River Water Dispute
(C) Cauvery River Water Dispute
(D) Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal Dispute
Answer: (D) Sutlej-Yamuna Link (SYL) Canal Dispute
Explanation: The Sutlej-Yamuna Link Canal dispute concerns the sharing of Ravi-Beas waters between Punjab and Haryana. The disagreement intensified following Haryana’s formation in 1966. It involves canal construction, interstate water allocations and longstanding constitutional and political disagreements.
35. Under the Constitution (101st Amendment) Act, 2016, who has the exclusive power to make laws on GST where the supply of goods or services takes place in the course of inter-state trade or commerce?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I – 22 March 2026, Shift 1]
(A) President of India
(B) State Legislatures
(C) NITI Aayog
(D) Parliament
Answer: (D) Parliament
Explanation: Article 246A(2), introduced by the 101st Constitutional Amendment, grants Parliament exclusive legislative power over GST on interstate supplies. Although both Parliament and state legislatures possess GST lawmaking powers generally, interstate supplies fall within Parliament’s exclusive constitutional competence.
34. As per provisions of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act, 1956, the Tribunal shall consist of a Chairman and two other Members nominated by the ______.
[SSC MTS 2025 Official Paper – 9 February 2026, Shift 3]
(A) President of India
(B) Chief Minister of concerned States
(C) Central Government after consultation with State Governments
(D) Chief Justice of India
Answer: (D) Chief Justice of India
Explanation: Section 4(2) of the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act provides for a Chairman and two members nominated by the Chief Justice of India from eligible Supreme Court or High Court judges. The tribunal adjudicates interstate river-water disputes referred under the Act.
33. Consider the following statements:
1. Parliament can bar the jurisdiction of courts over inter-state water disputes.
2. Article 262 empowers the Inter-State Council to adjudicate water disputes.
Which of the above statements is/are correct?
[SSC CPO – 10 December 2025, Shift 2]
(A) Only 1
(B) Only 2
(C) Both 1 and 2
(D) Neither 1 nor 2
Answer: (A) Only 1
Explanation: Article 262 authorises Parliament to provide mechanisms for adjudicating interstate river-water disputes and exclude court jurisdiction by law. The Inter-State Council arises under Article 263 and performs consultative functions rather than exercising the tribunal’s adjudicatory authority.
32. The Andhra Pradesh government rejected Telangana’s demand for a 50:50 share of Krishna river water in January 2025. What was the water-sharing ratio between Andhra Pradesh and Telangana referred to in the question?
[RRB Group D – 8 December 2025, Shift 2]
(A) 55:45
(B) 60:40
(C) 66:34
(D) 70:30
Answer: (C) 66:34
Explanation: The question refers to the 66:34 arrangement, allocating a larger share to Andhra Pradesh than Telangana. Krishna water sharing has remained contentious since Telangana’s formation in 2014. This ratio describes the arrangement discussed in the examination, not an immutable allocation.
31. Which of the following Indian states are primarily involved in the Mahanadi Water Dispute?
[OSSSC CRE Preliminary Examination – 18 October 2025, Shift 1]
(A) Odisha and Gujarat
(B) Madhya Pradesh and Bihar
(C) Chhattisgarh and Tamil Nadu
(D) Odisha and Chhattisgarh
Answer: (D) Odisha and Chhattisgarh
Explanation: The Mahanadi water dispute concerns Odisha and Chhattisgarh, mainly regarding upstream water utilisation and its downstream effects. The Mahanadi Water Disputes Tribunal was constituted in 2018 under the Inter-State River Water Disputes Act to adjudicate the disagreement.