What is Article 262 of Indian Constitution – Defination & Meaning

Article 262: Adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-State rivers or river valleys (1) Parliament may by law provide for the adjudication of any
📅 Part XI – Relations Between the Union and the States
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Article Number

262

part

Part XI – Relations Between the Union and the States

Status

Active

Bare Acts Text

Article 262: Adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-State rivers or river valleys

  • (1) Parliament may by law provide for the adjudication of any dispute or complaint with respect to the use, distribution or control of the waters of, or in, any inter-State river or river valley.
  • (2) Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, Parliament may by law provide that neither the Supreme Court nor any other court shall exercise jurisdiction in respect of any such dispute or complaint as is referred to in clause (1).
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Full Definition & Explanation

Article 262 of the Indian Constitution addresses disputes related to the waters of inter-State rivers or river valleys. It gives Parliament the power to create laws for resolving any disagreements regarding the use, distribution, or control of these water resources. This article is key because water is a shared resource, and conflicts often arise between states over its management. For instance, states may argue over water rights during dry seasons, leading to tensions that require legal resolution. The article also includes a unique provision that allows Parliament to prevent the Supreme Court or any other court from intervening in these disputes. This means that the resolution of such cases is entirely handled by Parliament, which can establish specific laws governing the adjudication process. The aim here is to provide a structured approach to managing water disputes without involving the judiciary, which could lead to delays and complications. This article directly impacts states that share river systems. It ensures that they have a legal framework to follow when conflicts arise, promoting cooperation over competition. For example, in the case of the Krishna River dispute involving Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, the application of Article 262 could streamline processes to find fair resolutions. In this way, the article facilitates better water management and fosters inter-state harmony, balancing the needs of different regions.

Historical Context

It gives Parliament the power to create laws for resolving any disagreements regarding the use, distribution, or control of these water resources. This article is key because water is a shared resource, and conflicts often arise between states over its management. For instance, states may argue over water rights during dry seasons, leading to tensions that require legal resolution. The article also includes a unique provision that allows Parliament to prevent the Supreme Court or any other court from intervening in these disputes.

Key Features

– Parliament has the power to legislate on water disputes between states.
– It allows for disputes over inter-State rivers and river valleys.
– The Supreme Court cannot intervene in disputes as per this article.
– Parliament can create specific laws for dispute adjudication.
– It promotes cooperation among states over shared water resources.

Importance & Impact

– It enables states to resolve water disputes through legislation
– The article prevents judicial delays in inter-State water matters
– Effective management of water resources is facilitated through this article.
– It fosters inter-state cooperation in water-sharing agreements
– The article addresses conflicts arising from competing water needs

Sample UPSC Question

Consider the following statements regarding Article 262 of the Indian Constitution: 1. It allows Parliament to legislate on inter-State water disputes. 2. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over such disputes. Which of the above statements is/are correct? A. Only 1 B. Only 2 C. Both 1 and 2 D. Neither 1 nor 2? Analyze these options carefully in light of the constitutional distribution of legislative and executive powers

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 and 3 only
(c) 1 and 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3

Answer

The correct answer is A. Statement 1 is true since Parliament can legislate on water disputes. Statement 2 is false because the Supreme Court does not have jurisdiction over these matters as per Article 262. Article 262 of the Indian Constitution addresses disputes related to the waters of inter-State rivers or river valleys.

Key Takeaways

✓ Article 262 allows Parliament to legislate on water disputes.
✓ The Supreme Court cannot intervene in these disputes.
✓ It promotes cooperative solutions among states over water.
✓ This article ensures timely resolution of water conflicts.
✓ It addresses the needs of states sharing water resources.

FAQs

Article 262 of the Indian Constitution addresses disputes related to the waters of inter-State rivers or river valleys. It gives Parliament the power to create laws for resolving any disagreements regarding the use, distribution, or control of these water resources. This article is key because water is a shared resource, and conflicts often arise between states over its management.

This means that the resolution of such cases is entirely handled by Parliament, which can establish specific laws governing the adjudication process. The aim here is to provide a structured approach to managing water disputes without involving the judiciary, which could lead to delays and complications. This article directly impacts states that share river systems.

It ensures that they have a legal framework to follow when conflicts arise, promoting cooperation over competition. For example, in the case of the Krishna River dispute involving Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh, the application of Article 262 could streamline processes to find fair resolutions. In this way, the article facilitates better water management and fosters inter-state harmony, balancing the needs of different regions.

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Pramod is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of StudyHub. He holds a Master's degree and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Geology, alongside more than 7+ years spent building and verifying competitive exam content for Indian aspirants. He leads StudyHub's editorial process across Indian Polity, the Constitution, Indian Economy, History, Geography, Science, and the platform's other subject areas — checking every article against primary sources (bare act text and Gazette notifications for constitutional topics, government and Economic Survey data for economy content, standard reference material elsewhere) and flagging it for re-verification whenever a relevant amendment, policy, or data update makes an earlier version outdated.
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