The Central Government can take over any State function whenever it wants using this Article.

The State's Governor must choose to entrust the function, and the Central Government must consent; the Centre cannot impose this on a State unilaterally.

This Article works the same way as Article 258.

Article 258 lets the Union entrust functions to States, while Article 258A works in the opposite direction, letting States entrust functions to the Union.

The Constitution of India

Article 258A

Power of the States to entrust functions to the Union

Notwithstanding anything in this Constitution, the Governor of a State may, with the consent of the Government of India, entrust either conditionally or unconditionally to that Government or to its officers functions in relation to any matter to which the executive power of the State extends.§

Why this exists

This Article was added by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, alongside changes reorganizing states. It complements Article 258, which lets the Union give its functions to the States. Article 258A creates the reverse pathway, allowing States to pass some administrative functions to the Union, useful when the Centre has better resources, expertise, or reach for a particular task even though the subject falls under the State's own executive powers.

Common misconceptions

Myth: The Central Government can take over any State function whenever it wants using this Article.
Fact: The State's Governor must choose to entrust the function, and the Central Government must consent; the Centre cannot impose this on a State unilaterally.
Myth: This Article works the same way as Article 258.
Fact: Article 258 lets the Union entrust functions to States, while Article 258A works in the opposite direction, letting States entrust functions to the Union.