What is Article 251 of the Indian Constitution?
Article 251 states:
“Nothing in Articles 249 and 250 shall restrict the power of a Legislature of a State to make any law which under this Constitution it has power to make, but if any provision of a law made by the Legislature of a State is repugnant to any provision of a law made by Parliament which Parliament has under either of the said Articles power to make, the law made by Parliament, whether passed before or after the law made by the Legislature of the State, shall prevail, and the law made by the Legislature of the State shall, to the extent of the repugnancy, be void.”
In simpler terms:
States can make laws in areas they are allowed to.
But if there’s a conflict between a State law and a Parliament law (made under Article 249 or 250), the Parliament law will override.
The conflicting part of the State law becomes void.
Contextual Understanding for UPSC Aspirants
Articles 249 and 250 allow the Parliament to legislate on State subjects in specific situations:
Article 249: When Rajya Sabha passes a resolution in national interest.
Article 250: During a national emergency.
Now, if Parliament uses these special powers and passes a law on a State subject, and the State legislature also passes a law on the same issue, Article 251 resolves the conflict.
Why Is Article 251 Important?
Maintains Constitutional Supremacy: It ensures that national interest laws have more weight than local variations when passed during emergencies or special scenarios.
Balances Federalism: While India is federal in structure, Article 251 shows its quasi-federal tilt by favoring the Union in exceptional situations.
Legal Clarity: Prevents legal confusion or contradiction in case both the Parliament and State legislate on the same subject.
Real-Life Example
Let’s say during a national emergency, Parliament enacts a law regulating public health (a State subject). If a State, later on, makes a health-related law that contradicts the Central law, the Central law will prevail, and the conflicting part of the State law becomes invalid.
Constitutional Significance in Answer Writing
In UPSC Mains and Essay paper, citing Article 251 helps strengthen answers dealing with:
Centre-State Relations
Legislative Powers of Union and States
Federalism vs. Unitarism
Emergency Provisions
Use lines like:
“As per Article 251 of the Constitution, the supremacy of Parliament is ensured in specific scenarios, safeguarding national interest without entirely curbing State autonomy.”
Quick Revision Points for Aspirants:
Applicable when Parliament legislates on State list under Art. 249 or 250.
States still retain power to legislate.
But Parliament’s law will prevail in case of contradiction.
Only conflicting parts of State law become void.
Conclusion
Article 251 is a small but essential link in the larger chain of Indian federalism. It teaches us that Constitutional harmony is not about equal power, but cooperative functioning. For UPSC aspirants, understanding such provisions strengthens not only Polity preparation but also insight into India’s legal balance of power.
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