GS Paper II · Federalism
Inter-State Disputes Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper II)
From the syllabus: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels
Why it matters: Questions explore the mechanisms used to resolve territorial and river water conflicts that periodically disrupt harmony among neighboring states.
In the news
October 2026
11 Oct 2026
Assam-Meghalaya Border Villages Oppose Kulsi Hydropower ProjectVillagers from the Assam-Meghalaya border have organized a joint movement opposing the proposed Kulsi River multipurpose hydroelectric project, warning that the reservoir would submerge 46 habitations. Local collectives have demanded an...
September 2026
26 Sep 2026
Inter-State Boundary Dispute Between Karnataka and Andhra PradeshBallari MP Tukaram has written to the Union Home Ministry and the Inter-State Council Secretariat seeking central intervention to resolve the boundary dispute between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The request urges coordination between...
August 2026
16 Aug 2026
Cauvery Water Dispute Highlights Constitutional Bounds of Water GovernanceDuring discussions on Cauvery water sharing, official statements emphasized that failure to adhere to statutory distress-sharing directives could trigger central intervention in dam operations under regulatory bodies. The issue...
July 2026
14 Jul 2026
Truth Commission sought for Punjab over Satluj water disputeA debate has emerged in Punjab regarding the establishment of a 'Truth Commission' to address the historical and legal nuances of the Satluj-Yamuna Link (SYL) canal dispute. A truth commission is typically an official body tasked with...
13 Jul 2026
Geologists raise alarm over Brahmaputra mega-dam on active fault lineChinese geologists have publicly questioned the safety of the 167.8 billion dollar mega-dam being built on the Brahmaputra River (known as Yarlung Tsangpo in Tibet). The concerns stem from the dam's location over an active seismic fault...
Practise Inter-State Disputes
3 of our latest questions on this topic.
Question 1 of 3
The proposed Godavari-Cauvery river linking project, actively pursued by southern states, primarily aims to divert surplus waters from the Godavari basin to which of the following intermediate river basins before reaching the Cauvery?
Mains practice
Effective governance across institutional, physical, and ecological frameworks requires balancing local execution with overarching statutory and regional mechanisms. Discuss this statement in light of recent challenges in inter-state water management, infrastructure financing models, and cross-border regional cooperation in South Asia.
15 marks
Previous years' questions
Past exam questions sorted by topic are coming here. Until then, the full papers are in our previous papers library.