Which subjects are included on India’s Union List?

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The Union List in India’s Constitution, detailed in the Seventh Schedule, identifies areas where the national government holds exclusive legislative authority. These subjects are considered matters of national importance.12

The primary subjects included on the Union List are:

  • Foreign policy1
  • Defense12
  • Communications1
  • Currency1
  • Taxation on corporations and nonagricultural income1
  • Railroads1

Additionally, any matters requiring legislation that are not specifically assigned to the State List or the Concurrent List fall under the exclusive domain of the central government. While the Constitution divides administrative responsibilities between the national and state governments, it establishes a dominant role for the union government, which can also assume control of state functions during emergencies.12