Difficulty: Easy
Correct Answer: Union List
Explanation:
Introduction / Context:
This question checks your understanding of how defence related subjects are allocated between the Union and the states under the federal scheme of the Indian Constitution. The phrase naval, military and air force works clearly relates to armed forces and national defence infrastructure. Because defence is a core national responsibility, it is important for exam aspirants to know where such subjects are located in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.
Given Data / Assumptions:
Concept / Approach:
The Union List contains subjects on which only the Parliament has the authority to legislate. Defence, armed forces, and works related to them such as cantonments, bases, and military installations are exclusively within the domain of the Union government. This ensures that national security policies and infrastructure are uniform and centrally controlled. Therefore, the subject naval, military and air force works is explicitly placed under the Union List, not under the State or Concurrent Lists.
Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Identify that naval, military and air force works clearly fall within the sphere of national defence.Step 2: Recall that defence related matters are reserved for the Union government and are part of the Union List.Step 3: Recognise that the State List deals with regional matters like police, agriculture, and public health.Step 4: Note that the Concurrent List is used for subjects where both Union and states can legislate, such as criminal law and marriage, which is not suitable for defence works.Step 5: Conclude that the correct list for naval, military and air force works is the Union List.
Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify your reasoning by asking whether it would be practical or safe for individual states to independently legislate about naval bases, military airfields, or weapon storage facilities. Because defence is indivisibly linked with national sovereignty and security, such fragmentation is not acceptable. Standard polity texts and the actual entries in the Seventh Schedule confirm that defence and allied works belong entirely to the Union List, reinforcing that your answer is accurate.
Why Other Options Are Wrong:
The State List is meant for subjects where states can frame their own laws according to local conditions, which does not fit military infrastructure. The Concurrent List allows both levels of government to legislate, but sharing authority over core defence works would conflict with the principle of unified command and control. The Global List is not recognised in the Constitution of India at all. As a result, none of these alternatives can correctly describe the constitutional placement of naval, military and air force works.
Common Pitfalls:
Candidates may sometimes overuse the Concurrent List as an answer when they feel uncertain, assuming that many subjects are shared. However, it is crucial to remember that certain functions like defence, foreign affairs, and currency must remain exclusively with the Union government and are therefore not shared with states. Another mistake is to be distracted by the unfamiliar term Global List, but recognizing that the Constitution formally mentions only three lists helps you quickly rule it out.
Final Answer:
In the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India, naval, military and air force works are included in the Union List.
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