With reference to India, consider the following :

I. The Inter-State Council
II. The National Security Council
III.Zonal Councils

How many of the above were established as per the provisions of the Constitution of India?

(a) Only one
(b) Only two
(c) All the three
(d) None

The correct answer is (a) Only one.

The Inter-State Council: This is the only constitutional body on the list.
- Its establishment is explicitly provided for under Article 263 of the Constitution of India. This article empowers the President to establish such a council to inquire into and advise upon disputes between states, and to discuss subjects of common interest.
The National Security Council (NSC): This is not a constitutional body.
- It is an executive body established by a Government of India resolution (an executive order) in 1998. It is the apex agency advising the Prime Minister on national security and strategic interests.
Zonal Councils: These are not constitutional bodies.
- They are statutory bodies (created by an Act of Parliament). They were established by the States Reorganisation Act of 1956. There are five Zonal Councils (Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, and Southern) designed to promote inter-state cooperation in specific regions.

Therefore, only one of the listed bodies was established as per a direct provision of the Constitution.

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This question tests your ability to distinguish between different types of official bodies in India, which are broadly classified by their origin:

Constitutional Bodies: These are established by and derive their power directly from specific articles of the Constitution. They are fundamental to the governance of the country.
- Examples: Election Commission (Article 324), Finance Commission (Article 280), Union Public Service Commission (Article 315), and the Inter-State Council (Article 263).
Statutory Bodies: These are created by an Act of Parliament or a State Legislature. They derive their power from the specific law (statute) that creates them.
- Examples: National Human Rights Commission, Central Vigilance Commission, and the Zonal Councils (created by the States Reorganisation Act, 1956).
Executive Bodies (or Non-Constitutional/Non-Statutory): These are created by a government order or resolution (an executive decision). They are not mentioned in the Constitution and are not created by an Act of Parliament.
- Examples: NITI Aayog (which replaced the Planning Commission) and the National Security Council (NSC).