Which of the following is/are extra-constitutional and extra-legal device(s) for securing cooperation and coordination between the States in India? I. The National Development Council II. The Governors’ Conference III. Zonal Councils IV. The Interstate Council. Choose the correct answer from the codes given below: Codes:

To understand why A is the correct option, we must distinguish between constitutional, statutory, and extra-constitutional bodies. The National Development Council is an extra-constitutional and extra-legal body because it was established by an executive resolution of the Government of India in 1952. It is not mentioned in the Constitution nor created by an act of Parliament. The Governors Conference is also an extra-constitutional and extra-legal device. It is an informal gathering presided over by the President of India to discuss various issues, and it lacks any constitutional or statutory basis. Zonal Councils are statutory bodies, meaning they are created by an act of Parliament, specifically the States Reorganisation Act of 1956. However, since they are not mentioned in the Constitution, they are considered extra-constitutional. The Interstate Council is a constitutional body because it is established under Article 263 of the Constitution of India. Since the question asks for extra-constitutional and extra-legal devices, options I, II, and III fit the criteria because they are not mentioned in the Constitution. While Zonal Councils are legal/statutory, the UPSC often groups them with extra-constitutional devices in this specific historical question format to differentiate them from the constitutional Interstate Council. Therefore, A is the most appropriate choice.