Which article of the Constitution of India provides for the creation of All India Services such as the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Police Service?

Introduction / Context:
All India Services such as the Indian Administrative Service and the Indian Police Service play a crucial role in India's federal structure. They are unique because officers are recruited centrally but serve in both the Union and the states. The Constitution contains a specific article that empowers Parliament to create and regulate these services. This question checks whether you can identify that article correctly among several nearby article numbers that deal with related topics.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• The options include Articles 315, 313, 312, and 311 of the Constitution of India.
• All India Services are named in the question as examples.
• We assume familiarity with the fact that the Constitution explicitly mentions All India Services.

Concept / Approach:
Article 312 of the Constitution provides that Parliament may by law create one or more All India Services, common to the Union and the states, if the Council of States adopts a resolution to that effect. This article explains how new All India Services may be created in addition to those already in existence. By contrast, Article 315 deals with Public Service Commissions, Article 313 relates to transitional provisions, and Article 311 provides protections for civil servants against dismissal and removal. The correct approach is to match All India Services directly with Article 312.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that Article 312 is the article specifically associated with the creation of All India Services. Step 2: Check the other articles: Article 315 establishes Public Service Commissions at the Union and state levels. Step 3: Article 313 deals with transitional provisions regarding public services after the commencement of the Constitution. Step 4: Article 311 provides safeguards to civil servants regarding dismissal, removal, or reduction in rank. Step 5: Only Article 312 contains the language authorising Parliament to create All India Services. Step 6: Therefore, select option C, Article 312, as the correct answer.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by reviewing standard polity summaries that list key articles and their subject matter. Most tables of important articles place Article 312 in the section on services under the Union and states, specifically with a note that it empowers Parliament to create new All India Services if the Council of States passes a resolution. This consistent association confirms the answer.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A, Article 315, is incorrect because it is about Public Service Commissions, which recruit for many services but do not themselves create All India Services. Option B, Article 313, is about transitional provisions and does not provide ongoing powers to create new services. Option D, Article 311, concerns the protection of civil servants in disciplinary matters and does not deal with the basic creation of services.

Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes confuse Article 312 with Article 315 because both relate to public services. A useful memory aid is to remember that 312 refers to services themselves, while 315 refers to Public Service Commissions. Another pitfall is to memorise article numbers without linking them to clear keywords. Associating Article 312 with the phrase All India Services helps you recall it more reliably in exams.

Final Answer:
The creation of All India Services is provided for under Article 312 of the Constitution of India.