In Class 10 Civics (Federalism), we study how power to make laws is divided between the Central and State governments using three lists (Union, State, and Concurrent). But what happens if a completely new subject emerges? This is where Residuary Powers come in.
Residuary Subjects: New topics that are not in the Union, State, or Concurrent lists.
Examples: Cyber Laws, Information Technology, AI.
Who holds power?: The Central Government (Parliament).
When the Indian Constitution was written in 1950, lawmakers created three lists assigning powers to the Centre and States. However, they knew that in the future, totally new subjects and technologies would emerge that did not exist in 1950 (such as Computer Software, Cyber Crime, E-commerce, or Artificial Intelligence).
These new subjects, which are not mentioned in any of the three original lists, are called Residuary Subjects (बचे हुए विषय).
According to our Constitution, the power to make laws on these new, leftover 'residuary subjects' is given exclusively to the Union Government (The Centre / Parliament).
Residuary powers refer to the authority to make laws on new subjects (like cyber laws) that are not mentioned in the Union, State, or Concurrent lists. In India, this power is held exclusively by the Central Government.
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