The Seventh Schedule of the Constitution divides law-making subjects into three lists. The Union List (defence, foreign affairs, banking, railways, currency) belongs to Parliament alone. The State List (police, public order, public health, agriculture, land) belongs to state legislatures. On the Concurrent List (criminal law and procedure, marriage, education, forests, trade unions) both can legislate, and if they clash the Union law prevails.
Key facts
- Union List 97 entries originally, State List 66 and Concurrent List 47; amendments have added to the Union and Concurrent Lists and trimmed the State List (now 61). (as of 23 Oct 2026)
- Article 246 distributes the powers; Article 248 and entry 97 give residuary powers to Parliament.
- The 42nd Amendment (1976) moved education, forests, wildlife protection and weights and measures from the State List to the Concurrent List.
- Parliament can legislate for Union Territories on any subject, including State List matters.
Why exams ask about it
Statement questions ask which list a subject sits in; the 42nd Amendment transfers are favourite traps.
Pakka yaad trick
Concurrent = both can legislate: crime, marriage, education, forests, trade unions. Defence is Union only, police is State only, and in a clash the Union law wins.