On 01.12.2025, Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 226, addressed to the Minister of Education by Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan, inquired about any proposals to transfer "Education" from the Concurrent List to the State List, as requested by some states, and the reasons for any such actions or lack thereof. The Minister of State in the Ministry of Education, Dr. Sukanta Majumdar, responded that "Education" was transferred from List II (State List) to List III (Concurrent List) by the Constitution (Forty Second Amendment) Act, 1976. This has resulted in shared responsibility between the Central Government and State/UT Governments, enabling the Central Government to meet varying demands of different States/UTs at different levels of educational development and to take measures for the development, promotion and growth of education in the Country.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Education: Primary ministry responsible for the subject matter of the question.
Constitution (Forty Second Amendment) Act, 1976: Act that transferred 'Education' to the Concurrent List.
Concurrent List: List in the Constitution where both the Union and State Governments can legislate; Education was transferred to this list.
State List: List in the Constitution containing subjects on which State Governments can legislate. Education was transferred from this list.
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
DEPARTMENT OF HIGHER EDUCATION
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 226
ANSWERED ON 01.12.2025
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Transfer of Education from Concurrent List
226. Thiru Thanga Tamilselvan:
Will the Minister of EDUCATION be pleased to state:
(a) whether the Union Government has any proposal or willing to transfer "Education" from
Concurrent list to State list as demanded by some States in the country to impart better
education to the society; and
(b) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION
(DR. SUKANTA MAJUMDAR)
(a)and (b): The subject “Education” was transferred from List II (State List) to List III
(Concurrent List) by the Constitution (Forty Second Amendment) Act, 1976. Since, then, it has
resulted in sharing of responsibility between the Central Government and the State/UT
Governments on the matter related to education. This has also enabled Central Government
serving the need to meet varying demands of different States/UTs who are at different levels of
educational development; and to take measures for development, promotion and growth of
education in the Country.