What is Article 272 of Indian Constitution – Defination & Meaning

Article 272: Taxes which are levied and collected by the Union and may be distributed between the Union and the States Omitted by the Constitution (Eightieth
📅 Part XII – Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits
🏷️Omitted

📚 UPSC Relevant

Article Number

272

part

Part XII – Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits

Status

Omitted

Full Definition & Explanation

Article 272 of the Indian Constitution originally dealt with the collection and distribution of certain taxes by the Union government. It allowed for specific taxes to be levied by the Union, which could then be shared with the states. This provision was intended to ensure that states received a portion of the revenue generated through federal taxation, helping to balance the financial needs of both levels of government. However, the article was omitted by the Eightieth Amendment in 2000, which signifies a shift in how tax revenues were managed between the Union and the states in India. The omission of Article 272 means that there are no longer any taxes that are automatically shared between the Union and the states under this provision. Before its removal, the article primarily affected the financial relationship between the central government and state governments. It aimed to provide a framework for equitable distribution of tax revenues, ensuring that states could fund their programs and services. The removal has had practical implications, as it reflects a move towards a more centralized approach to taxation and revenue distribution, impacting state finances and their autonomy in fiscal matters. This change emphasizes the need for states to rely on their own tax resources and grants from the Union government rather than a direct share of Union taxes. It encourages states to enhance their tax collection mechanisms and find alternative revenue sources. The impact of this omission can be seen in the ongoing discussions about fiscal federalism in India, highlighting the importance of clear revenue-sharing arrangements to support state development and governance.

Historical Context

It allowed for specific taxes to be levied by the Union, which could then be shared with the states. This provision was intended to ensure that states received a portion of the revenue generated through federal taxation, helping to balance the financial needs of both levels of government. However, the article was omitted by the Eightieth Amendment in 2000, which signifies a shift in how tax revenues were managed between the Union and the states in India. The omission of Article 272 means that there are no longer any taxes that are automatically shared between the Union and the states under this provision.

Key Features

– Article 272 allowed Union taxes to be shared with states.
– It was omitted by the Eightieth Amendment in 2000.
– The article aimed to support state financial independence.
– It originally covered specific taxes like income tax and excise.
– The removal shifted focus to central control over tax distribution.

Importance & Impact

– The omission affects how states collect and manage their taxes.
– States must now rely more on their own revenue sources.
– This reflects a trend towards centralization in fiscal policy
– It emphasizes the need for improved state tax collection methods.
– This change impacts state budgets and funding for public services.

Sample UPSC Question

Which of the following statements about Article 272 of the Indian Constitution is correct? A) It allowed for direct taxation by states. B) It was omitted by the Eightieth Amendment Act of 2000. C) It established a new tax system for states. D) It is currently in effect and operational. Choose the correct option.? Analyze these options carefully in light of the constitutional distribution of legislative and executive powers.

Answer

The correct answer is B. Article 272 was omitted by the Eightieth Amendment Act of 2000, which changed the framework for tax distribution between the Union and states. Article 272 of the Indian Constitution originally dealt with the collection and distribution of certain taxes by the Union government.

Key Takeaways

✓ Article 272 was originally about tax distribution between Union and states.
✓ It was omitted in 2000, changing fiscal relationships.
✓ States now need to focus on independent revenue generation.
✓ The change reflects a move towards centralized taxation.
✓ Fiscal federalism remains a critical topic in Indian governance.

FAQs

Article 272 of the Indian Constitution originally dealt with the collection and distribution of certain taxes by the Union government. It allowed for specific taxes to be levied by the Union, which could then be shared with the states. This provision was intended to ensure that states received a portion of the revenue generated through federal taxation, helping to balance the financial needs of both levels of government.

Before its removal, the article primarily affected the financial relationship between the central government and state governments. It aimed to provide a framework for equitable distribution of tax revenues, ensuring that states could fund their programs and services. The removal has had practical implications, as it reflects a move towards a more centralized approach to taxation and revenue distribution, impacting state finances and their autonomy in fiscal matters.

This change emphasizes the need for states to rely on their own tax resources and grants from the Union government rather than a direct share of Union taxes. It encourages states to enhance their tax collection mechanisms and find alternative revenue sources. The impact of this omission can be seen in the ongoing discussions about fiscal federalism in India, highlighting the importance of clear revenue-sharing arrangements to support state development and governance.

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Pramod Pal Founder and Editor-in-Chief

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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