What is Article 290A of Indian Constitution – Defination & Meaning

Article 290A: Annual payment to certain Devaswom Funds A sum of forty-six lakhs and fifty thousand rupees shall be charged on, and paid out of, the
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Article Number

290A

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Part XII – Finance, Property, Contracts and Suits

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Bare Acts Text

Article 290A: Annual payment to certain Devaswom Funds

  • A sum of forty-six lakhs and fifty thousand rupees shall be charged on, and paid out of, the Consolidated Fund of the State of Kerala every year to the Travancore Devaswom Fund; and a sum of thirteen lakhs and fifty thousand rupees shall be charged on, and paid out of, the Consolidated Fund of the State of Tamil Nadu every year to the Devaswom Fund established in that State for the maintenance of Hindu temples and shrines in the territories transferred to that State on the 1st day of November, 1956, from the State of Travancore-Cochin.
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Full Definition & Explanation

Article 290A of the Indian Constitution mandates annual payments from the state’s consolidated fund to specific Devaswom funds. Specifically, it allocates forty-six lakhs and fifty thousand rupees to the Travancore Devaswom Fund in Kerala and thirteen lakhs and fifty thousand rupees to the Devaswom Fund in Tamil Nadu. These funds are intended for the upkeep and maintenance of Hindu temples and shrines in regions that were transferred from Travancore-Cochin to Tamil Nadu in 1956. This article primarily impacts the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The funds ensure that these temples and shrines receive necessary financial support for their operations, maintenance, and preservation. Such funding is key for maintaining the cultural and religious heritage of these areas. It helps in preserving ancient temples, supporting rituals, and providing services to devotees. The article reflects the Indian government’s commitment to protecting and promoting religious practices, especially for the Hindu community in these states. Also, Article 290A highlights the role of the government in religious affairs while maintaining a balance between secularism and religious freedom. It does not impose direct restrictions on the temples but rather provides financial assistance. The article is part of a broader effort to ensure that the state’s financial obligations towards religious institutions are met. In doing so, it also emphasizes the importance of cultural continuity and respect for historical agreements made during the reorganization of states.

Historical Context

Article 290A was added to the Constitution during the legislative discussions surrounding the need for financial support to Hindu temples in the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. The article was introduced through the 7th Amendment in 1956. This amendment was necessary after the States Reorganization Act, which altered state boundaries and required adjustments in financial commitments. The Supreme Court has occasionally reviewed related issues, ensuring that the allocation of funds aligns with constitutional provisions and the secular fabric of India.

Key Features

– Article 290A provides annual payments to Devaswom Funds in two states.
– Forty-six lakhs and fifty thousand rupees are allocated to Kerala’s Travancore Fund.
– Thirteen lakhs and fifty thousand rupees are allocated to Tamil Nadu’s Devaswom Fund.
– These funds support the maintenance of Hindu temples and shrines.
– The article reflects the government’s role in promoting religious heritage.

Importance & Impact

– Annual payments ensure the upkeep of Hindu temples in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
– Funds support rituals and services for devotees visiting these temples.
– It fosters cultural heritage and religious practices in the region.
– The article represents state commitment to religious institutions’ welfare
– It illustrates the balance between secularism and religious freedom in India.

Sample UPSC Question

Which of the following statements about Article 290A is correct? A) It allocates funds for Hindu temples in all states. B) It mandates payments only for Kerala. C) It provides financial assistance for temples in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. D) It was added in the 12th Amendment. Select the correct option.? Analyze these options carefully in light of the constitutional distribution of legislative and executive powers.

Answer

The correct answer is C. Article 290A provides financial assistance specifically for Hindu temples in Kerala and Tamil Nadu. It does not cover all states and was added through the 7th Amendment, not the 12th. Article 290A of the Indian Constitution mandates annual payments from the state’s consolidated fund to specific Devaswom funds.

Key Takeaways

✓ Article 290A allocates funds for Hindu temples in Kerala and Tamil Nadu.
✓ Annual payments are made from the state’s consolidated fund.
✓ It supports the maintenance and heritage of religious sites.
✓ The article was introduced through the 7th Amendment in 1956.
✓ It reflects the balance between secularism and religious obligations.

FAQs

Article 290A of the Indian Constitution mandates annual payments from the state’s consolidated fund to specific Devaswom funds. Specifically, it allocates forty-six lakhs and fifty thousand rupees to the Travancore Devaswom Fund in Kerala and thirteen lakhs and fifty thousand rupees to the Devaswom Fund in Tamil Nadu. These funds are intended for the upkeep and maintenance of Hindu temples and shrines in regions that were transferred from Travancore-Cochin to Tamil Nadu in 1956.

It helps in preserving ancient temples, supporting rituals, and providing services to devotees. The article reflects the Indian government’s commitment to protecting and promoting religious practices, especially for the Hindu community in these states. Also, Article 290A highlights the role of the government in religious affairs while maintaining a balance between secularism and religious freedom.

It does not impose direct restrictions on the temples but rather provides financial assistance. The article is part of a broader effort to ensure that the state’s financial obligations towards religious institutions are met. In doing so, it also emphasizes the importance of cultural continuity and respect for historical agreements made during the reorganization of states.

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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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