Zonal Councils, established under the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 (not Constitution), are chaired by the ______ and include Chief Ministers of member States to promote inter-State cooperation on economic, social, and border issues.

Zonal Councils framework: (a) Legal basis: States Reorganisation Act, 1956 (extra-constitutional), (b) Five Councils: Northern, Central, Eastern, Western, Southern, (c) Composition: Union Home Minister (Chairperson), CMs of member States, 2 Ministers per State, UT administrators as invitees, (d) Functions: Advise on: (i) economic/social planning, (ii) border disputes, (iii) inter-State transport, (iv) linguistic minorities, (e) Limitations: Advisory only; no binding powers; meetings irregular. Complements constitutional federal mechanisms (ISC, Finance Commission) with regional focus; effectiveness depends on political will for cooperation.