Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah to chair 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council on 20th August 2026 in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
Read or download the official PDF of this gazette notification issued by the Ministry of Home Affairs on 19th August 2026. Classified under Press Release.
Executive Summary
The 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council is scheduled for August 20, 2026, in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu, to be chaired by Union Home Minister Shri Amit Shah. The forum aims to promote "cooperative federalism" and the "TEAM BHARAT" concept by facilitating dialogue on issues affecting member states and the Centre. Key agenda items include regional disputes, national security matters, and the implementation of central welfare schemes.
Key Points / Main Content
Governance and Leadership
Chairmanship: The Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri Amit Shah, serves as the Chairman.
Vice-Chairmanship: Shri C. Joseph Vijay, Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, will serve as Vice-Chairman for this meeting, as the role rotates among member states.
Legal Framework: The Council is established under Sections 15 to 22 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.
Operational Mechanism
Member Regions: Includes Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Keralam, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and Lakshadweep.
Advisory Nature: While the Council’s role is advisory, it serves as a systematic mechanism for resolving disputes between states or between the Centre and states.
Standing Committee: A committee of Chief Secretaries reviews and deliberates on state-proposed issues before they are presented to the Zonal Council.
Primary Agenda and Issues
Social Justice and Safety: Implementation of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) for the speedy investigation of rape cases against women and children.
Regional Infrastructure and Policy: Discussion on the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, water sharing projects, and civil aviation issues.
National Schemes: Progress updates on education and the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin).
Impact Analysis
Southern State and Union Territory GovernmentsImpact
Member states gain a high-level platform to resolve inter-state disputes and advocate for regional interests directly with the Central Government.
Action Required
Chief Ministers, Lieutenant Governors, and two senior ministers from each state must attend the meeting and submit proposed issues to the standing committee for prior deliberation.
Inter-State Council Secretariat (Ministry of Home Affairs)Impact
As the primary organizing body, the Secretariat is responsible for ensuring the successful execution of the forum and the coordination of the "TEAM BHARAT" vision.
Action Required
Coordinate logistics and agenda-setting with the host Government of Tamil Nadu and facilitate the participation of senior Central Government officers.
Chief Secretaries and Senior State OfficersImpact
These officials form the standing committee that filters and refines the technical and administrative aspects of proposed issues.
Action Required
Chief Secretaries must deliberate on state proposals in the standing committee to ensure only unresolved or critical issues reach the Zonal Council for consideration.
Key Entities Referenced
Southern Zonal Council (SZC): A statutory body and forum for dialogue between the Centre and Southern states to resolve inter-state issues and promote cooperative federalism.
States Reorganisation Act, 1956: The primary legislation (specifically Sections 15 to 22) that established the framework for Zonal Councils in India.
Ministry of Home Affairs: The nodal Union Ministry responsible for organizing Zonal Council meetings and coordinating between the Centre and member states.
Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu: The specific host location for the 31st meeting of the Southern Zonal Council, determining the regional focus of the event.
Inter-State Council Secretariat: The administrative body within the Ministry of Home Affairs responsible for organizing the Southern Zonal Council meetings.
Ministry of Home Affairs
Union Home Minister and Minister of
Cooperation Shri Amit Shah to chair 31st
meeting of the Southern Zonal Council on 20th
August 2026 in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has envisioned a concept
of 'TEAM BHARAT' for the nation, on basis of cooperative
federalism, and the Zonal Councils are making significant
contributions in this direction
With the spirit that strong states make a strong nation, the
Zonal Councils provide a systematic mechanism and an
important forum for dialogue and discussion on issues
affecting two or more states or the Centre and the states
Under the leadership of PM Modi, the Zonal Councils
meetings have become a strong platform for solutions
through dialogue
प्रव तथ: 19 AUG 2026 2:35PM by PIB Delhi
Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation Shri Amit Shah will chair the 31st meeting of the
Southern Zonal Council (SZC) on 20th August 2026 in Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu. The Southern Zonal
Council comprises the states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Keralam, Tamil Nadu and Telangana, and the
Union Territories of Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands and Lakshadweep.
Under Sections 15 to 22 of the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, five Zonal Councils, including the
Southern Zonal Council, have been established. Union Home Minister and Minister of Cooperation, Shri
Amit Shah, is the Chairman of the Southern Zonal Council, and the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu, Shri C.
Joseph Vijay, is Vice-Chairman. The Chief Ministers of the member states serve as the Vice-Chairman of
the Council by rotation. The 31st meeting is being organized by the Inter-State Council Secretariat,
Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India, with the Government of Tamil Nadu as the host. It will be
attended by the Chief Ministers/Lieutenant Governors/Administrators of the member states and Union
Territories of the Southern region, along with two senior ministers from each state. The Chief
Secretaries/Advisors and other senior officers of the State Governments, as well as senior officers of the
Central Government, will also participate in the meeting.The Zonal Council has also constituted a standing committee at the level of Chief Secretaries. Issues
proposed by the states are submitted for discussion before the Zonal Council's standing committee and
after deliberation there, the remaining issues are placed before the Zonal Council meeting for
consideration.
Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi has envisioned 'TEAM BHARAT' for the nation, on the basis of
cooperative federalism, and the Zonal Councils are making significant contributions in this direction.
These councils function on the conviction that strong states build a strong nation. They provide a
structured mechanism for dialogue and discussion on issues affecting two or more states—or the Centre
and the states—thereby serving as a platform to foster mutual cooperation. Under the leadership of PM
Modi, Zonal Council meetings have evolved into a powerful platform for finding solutions through
dialogue.
The role of the Zonal Councils is advisory in nature. However, over the past few years, these Councils
have proved to be an important factor in fostering healthy bond of mutual understanding and cooperation
across various regions. With the cooperation of all State Governments, Central Ministries and
Departments, a total of 69 meetings of the various Zonal Councils and their Standing Committees have
been held in the last approximately 12 years, since June 2014 till now.
The Zonal Councils provide an excellent forum for resolving issues and disputes and making progress on
them between the Centre and the member States/Union Territories, among the member States/Union
Territories, and within the region. These Councils also discuss broad issues of national importance, which
include the implementation of Fast Track Special Courts (FTSCs) for the speedy investigation and early
disposal of cases of rape against women and children, as well as issues related to education, among others.
In addition, various issues of common interest at the regional level are covered, such as issues related to
the Andhra Pradesh Reorganisation Act, issues concerning important projects related to water sharing, the
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (Gramin), issues related to civil aviation, and several other issues.
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