Article 294 of Constitution of India – Succession to property, assets, rights, liabilities and obligations in certain cases
Article 294 of Constitution of India deals with Succession to property, assets, rights, liabilities and obligations in certain cases
Original Text of Article 294 of Constitution of India
As from the commencement of this Constitution—
(a) all property and assets which immediately before such commencement were vested in His Majesty for the purposes of the Government of the Dominion of India and all property and assets which immediately before such commencement were vested in His Majesty for the purposes of the Government of each Governor’s Province shall vest respectively in the Union and the corresponding State, and
b) all rights, liabilities and obligations of the Government of the Dominion of India and of the Government of each Governor’s Province, whether arising out of any contract or otherwise, shall be the rights, liabilities and obligations respectively of the Government of India and the Government of each corresponding State, subject to any adjustment made or to be made by reason of the creation before the commencement of this Constitution of the Dominion of Pakistan or of the Provinces of West Bengal, East Bengal, West Punjab and East Punjab.
Questions related to Article 294 of Constitution of India
Article 294 provides for the succession of property, assets, rights, and liabilities from the Government of British India to the Government of India and State Governments after independence, as per the Constitution of India.
Article 294 ensured a smooth transition of authority and ownership of government assets from the colonial administration to the Indian government, as outlined in the Articles of Indian Constitution.
As per Article 294 and explained in Indian Kanoon, both the Union and the State Governments inherited the liabilities and obligations relevant to their respective domains.
No, the succession of assets from princely states is dealt with under different provisions and agreements, while Article 294 specifically relates to British India, as per the Indian Constitution.
You can refer to Indian Kanoon for detailed legal interpretations and case laws, or check simplified summaries in UPSC notes related to the Articles of Indian Constitution.
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