In the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, the subject \"Central Bureau of Intelligence and Investigation\" is included under which of the following lists?

Difficulty: Easy

Correct Answer: Union List

Explanation:


Introduction / Context:
This question again examines your understanding of how the Constitution of India allocates subjects between the Union and the states. Intelligence and investigation agencies that operate across the country deal with national security and crime that may cross state boundaries. The subject Central Bureau of Intelligence and Investigation appears in the Seventh Schedule, and you are required to identify the correct list in which it is placed.


Given Data / Assumptions:

  • The Seventh Schedule contains the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List.
  • The subject is Central Bureau of Intelligence and Investigation, which indicates a central level body.
  • National intelligence and central investigation generally fall within the competence of the Union government.
  • The Global List mentioned in one option does not correspond to any constitutional list.


Concept / Approach:
Subjects that involve national security, central intelligence, and investigation of offences with national or cross border implications are placed under the Union List. This ensures unified control and coordination. The reference to a Central Bureau in the entry makes it clear that the subject is linked to a union level agency rather than a state police force. Therefore, this subject appears in the Union List, just like other central security and investigative functions.


Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Note the term Central Bureau in the subject, signalling a union level institution.Step 2: Recall that the Union List includes defence, national security, and central agencies responsible for intelligence and investigation.Step 3: Recognise that state police and public order appear in the State List, but central intelligence does not.Step 4: Understand that the Concurrent List is used for subjects where both Union and states make laws, such as criminal law, but not for central intelligence bureaus themselves.Step 5: Conclude that Central Bureau of Intelligence and Investigation is listed under the Union List.


Verification / Alternative check:
To verify, consider that if central intelligence were placed in the State or Concurrent List, there would be confusion about control, funding, and operational command. National security would be weakened by fragmented authority. By keeping such subjects exclusively within the Union List, the Constitution allows the central government to coordinate intelligence and investigation in a coherent manner. Polity texts that reproduce the entries of the Union List confirm that central intelligence and investigation fall under the Union List.


Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The State List includes police and public order at the state level, but not central intelligence bureaus. The Concurrent List covers areas such as criminal law, marriage, and economic planning where both Union and states have lawmaking powers; however, it does not include the establishment of a central intelligence and investigation bureau. The Global List is not a recognised category in the Constitution and appears only as a distractor. Therefore, none of these alternative lists correctly describe the placement of this subject.


Common Pitfalls:
A common mistake is to equate all investigation functions with police and therefore assume that they belong to the State List. While state police forces are indeed a state subject, central agencies handling intelligence and investigation of national importance are part of the Union domain. Another pitfall is to assume that anything related to law and order might be shared under the Concurrent List. The key is to distinguish local policing from central intelligence and central investigation responsibilities.


Final Answer:
In the Seventh Schedule, the subject Central Bureau of Intelligence and Investigation is placed in the Union List.

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