TL;DR India has a federal structure: power is shared between the Centre (Union) and the States. The Centre looks after national subjects (e.g. defence, foreign affairs, railways); States look after State subjects (e.g. police, health, education). Some subjects are shared. This division is in the Constitution.
Union List, State List, and Concurrent List
The Constitution has three lists of subjects. The Union List has subjects on which only Parliament can make laws (e.g. defence, currency, railways). The State List has subjects on which only the State legislature can make laws (e.g. police, public health, agriculture). The Concurrent List has subjects on which both can make laws (e.g. education, forests); if there is a conflict, the central law usually wins.
Why this matters for citizens
When you have a grievance or a question, it helps to know whether the issue is with the Centre or the State. For example, a problem with a central scheme (e.g. PMAY) may need to be taken to central portals or the concerned central ministry; a problem with a State school or hospital may need the State government or local authority.
What you can do
- Identify whether your issue falls under Centre or State (or local). Use the right grievance portal or department.
- Elections to the Lok Sabha (Centre) and State Assemblies (State) choose different sets of representatives; your vote at both levels matters.
- Read Local Governance: Panchayats and Municipalities for how the third tier (local) fits in.
Related: Parliament: Role and Responsibilities · Executive: How Government Functions · Local Governance: Panchayats and Municipalities · How to Raise a Public Issue