In the Constitution of India, the subject \"Betting and gambling\" is placed in which list of the Seventh Schedule?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: State List

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
The Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India divides legislative powers between the Union and the states. Some subjects are of national importance, while others are better handled by state governments. This question asks you to identify the list in which the subject of betting and gambling appears, which is relevant for understanding federal powers and law making in areas related to games of chance and lotteries.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • We refer to the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India.
  • There are three main lists: Union List, State List and Concurrent List.
  • Each list allocates specific subjects to the Union or states or both.
  • Betting and gambling is one of the subjects explicitly mentioned.


Concept / Approach:
The Union List covers matters on which only Parliament can legislate, such as defence and foreign affairs. The State List includes subjects like police, public order and local government, where states are considered better placed to legislate. The Concurrent List provides for shared legislative competence. Betting and gambling, including lotteries other than those run by the Union, are placed in the State List. This reflects the idea that such social and moral issues are often regulated differently in different states in accordance with local values and conditions.


Step-by-Step Solution:
1. Identify that the question is about the constitutional allocation of legislative power, not about policy advantages or disadvantages. 2. Recall that law and order, police and social offences often fall in the State List. 3. Betting and gambling is grouped with such subjects as an area where state governments can pass laws according to local preferences. 4. The Union List deals with national issues like defence, currency and foreign trade, which are not directly related to betting and gambling at the state level. 5. Therefore, betting and gambling is placed in the State List of the Seventh Schedule.


Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by noting that different Indian states have different laws regarding lotteries, horse race betting and online gambling, which would not be possible if the subject were exclusively under the Union List. The presence of state specific laws and court cases confirms that this is a state subject under the Constitution.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: If betting and gambling were in the Union List, only Parliament could legislate, but in practice states also pass their own laws on this subject.
Option C: There is no such category as a Global List in the Indian constitutional framework.
Option D: Concurrent List subjects can be legislated by both Union and state, but betting and gambling is specifically mentioned under the State List.
Option E: Although some aspects of gambling may involve criminal law, there is no separate list in the Seventh Schedule solely for criminal law subjects.


Common Pitfalls:
Students sometimes guess Concurrent List because they believe Union and states both deal with gambling. However, the Constitution clearly lists betting and gambling under the State List, and any central law must usually rely on other entries or special provisions. Another pitfall is confusing betting and gambling with lotteries run by the Union, which can involve Union powers, but the general subject at state level remains under the State List.


Final Answer:
State List

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