President Amends Inter-State Council Order, 1990

Honorable President Droupadi Murmu has made an amendment in the Inter-State Council Order of 1990, providing special conditions for the participation of the Governor/Lieutenant Governor in the Inter-State Council Meetings. The Inter-State Council (Amendment) Order 2026 has been issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on 9th September 2026 under Article 263 of the Constitution and is applicable from the date of issue. The order mentions four conditions wherein the relevant constitutional authority shall be called for attending the Inter-State Council Meetings.

What is the Inter-State Council Amendment 2026?

This amendment amends the existing proviso to Clause 2 of the Inter-State Council Order, 1990.

The amendment provides four instances where a Governor or Lieutenant Governor can be invited to attend the meetings of the Council. These include one case in relation to the state and three cases concerning certain union territories.

Four Instances Covered by the New Order

State/UT	Instance for Inviting Governor/Lieutenant Governor
State	If there is any Proclamation issued under Article 356 by the President
Delhi	If there is any order issued under Article 239AB by the President
Puducherry	If there is any order issued under Section 51 of the Government of Union Territory Act, 1963
Jammu and Kashmir	If there is any order issued under Section 73 of the J&K Reorganisation Act, 2019

Article 356: State

The Governor of a State should be invited to the Inter-State Council meeting if there is a President’s Proclamation in operation in such State under Article 356.

Article 356 provides for a scenario wherein the government of a State cannot be continued in accordance with the Constitution.

Delhi, Puducherry, and Jammu & Kashmir

In respect of the National Capital Territory of Delhi, the Lieutenant Governor should be invited if there is an order in force in accordance with Article 239AB.

In respect of Puducherry, the rule will apply when there is an order in operation under Section 51 of the Government of Union Territories Act, 1963.

In respect of Jammu & Kashmir, the Lieutenant Governor should be invited if there is an order in operation under Section 73 of the Jammu & Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019.

What is Inter-State Council?

The Inter-State Council is an organization provided for under Article 263 of the Constitution by means of the Inter-State Council Order of 1990.

The initial order was issued in the Gazette of India on May 28, 1990. The order was thereafter amended in July 1990 and December 1996.

The Council is a constitutional forum for the discussion of issues relating to Union-States relationships and State-State relationships.