Legislation for giving effect to international agreements
Quick Summary (TL;DR)
Article 253 (Legislation for giving effect to international agreements): Governs federal legislative and administrative division of powers between the Union and States under Part XI.
In Simple Citizen Words
Article 253 ('Legislation for giving effect to international agreements') in Part XI (Relations between the Union and the States) structures Indian federalism. It governs territorial and subject-matter jurisdiction under the Union, State, and Concurrent Lists of the Seventh Schedule, GST concurrent powers (Art 246A), residuary powers (Art 248), inconsistency/repugnancy rules (Art 254), inter-state river water disputes (Art 262), or the Inter-State Council (Art 263). Specifically: Notwithstanding anything in the foregoing provisions of this Chapter, Parliament has power to make any law for the whole or any part of the territory of India for implementing any treaty, agreement or convention with any other country or...
Key Constitutional Provisions
Constitutional Mandate (Art. 253): Directly codifies the legal rule for 'Legislation for giving effect to international agreements' under Part XI
Sets a direct, self-contained constitutional command binding on public authorities across India
Requires transparent Parliamentary law-making and democratic accountability rather than arbitrary executive action
Exceptions & Reasonable Restrictions
Federalism is part of the Basic Structure of the Constitution (S.R. Bommai v. Union of India, 1994); neither the Union nor the States can usurp the exclusive legislative domain assigned to the other.
Why This Matters in Daily Life
Clarifies which government (Central or State) is responsible and accountable for every law, tax, and public service affecting your life.
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