Part XII - Finance & Property • Article

Article 297 Simplified: Things of value within territorial waters or continental shelf and resources of the exclusive economic zone to vest in the Union

Article 297 declares that all valuable assets—like oil, natural gas, minerals, and land—found in the ocean within India's territorial waters (up to 12 nautical miles), continental shelf, or Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) belong entirely to the Central Government (Union), not to any adjacent coastal states.

Official Text

(1) All lands, minerals and other things of value underlying the ocean within the territorial waters, or the continental shelf, or the exclusive economic zone, of India shall vest in the Union and be held for the purposes of the Union. (2) All other resources of the exclusive economic zone of India shall also vest in the Union and be held for the purposes of the Union. (3) The limits of the territorial waters, the continental shelf, the exclusive economic zone, and other maritime zones, of India shall be such as may be specified, from time to time, by or under any law made by Parliament.

Simple Meaning

Explain Like Ten

Any treasure, oil, or gas found under the ocean near India's coasts belongs to the national government. Coastal states cannot claim it, even if it is close to their beaches.

Student Mode

Article 297 vests all lands, minerals, and other things of value under the ocean within India's territorial waters, continental shelf, or Exclusive Economic Zone (EEZ) in the Union. Coastal states have no territorial jurisdiction over maritime resources. Clause (3) gives Parliament the exclusive power to define the legal boundaries of these maritime zones.

Example

The Mumbai High offshore oilfield is located in the Arabian Sea off the coast of Mumbai. Even though it is physically close to Maharashtra, the oil and natural gas belong entirely to the Central Government of India. Maharashtra cannot claim ownership of the oil field.

Key Takeaway

All minerals, oil, and resources found in India's territorial oceans and maritime economic zones belong exclusively to the Union Government.

FAQs

Can a coastal state like Kerala tax offshore drilling in its adjacent waters?

No, because all offshore resources in the territorial waters and EEZ belong to the Union under Article 297.

Who defines the limits of India's territorial waters?

Parliament, through laws like the Territorial Waters, Continental Shelf, Exclusive Economic Zone and other Maritime Zones Act, 1976.

Quiz

Under Article 297, offshore minerals and oil within India's Exclusive Economic Zone vest in:

Answer: The Union Government

Who has the power to specify the limits of India's territorial waters?

Answer: Parliament by law