Examine the following pairs that give the level of government in India and the powers of the government at that level to make laws on the subjects mentioned against each. Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
Explanation
Option D is the correct answer because this pair is not correctly matched. In the Indian federal structure, the Constitution divides legislative powers into three lists: Union List, State List, and Concurrent List. The State government has exclusive powers to make laws on subjects in the State List (Option A is correct). The Central government has exclusive powers to make laws on subjects in the Union List (Option B is correct). Both Central and State governments can make laws on subjects in the Concurrent List (Option C is correct). However, Residuary powers (matters not mentioned in any of the three lists) are vested with the Central government, not Local governments. Local governments are institutions of self-governance at the grassroots level but they do not have residuary powers to make laws on subjects outside the prescribed lists.
Solution Steps
Step 1: Analyze each pair to verify if the level of government matches the law-making power described.
Step 2: Confirm that State government correctly matches with State List (State governments make laws on State List subjects).
Step 3: Confirm that Central government correctly matches with Union List (Central government makes laws on Union List subjects).
Step 4: Confirm that both Central and State governments correctly match with Concurrent List (both can legislate on Concurrent List subjects).
Step 5: Identify that Local governments do NOT have Residuary powers - these powers belong to the Central government, making Option D the incorrectly matched pair.