Section 51 (xxvi)

Section 51(xxvi) of the Indian Constitution grants the Indian Parliament the exclusive power to make laws concerning the acquisition of estates, meaning private property, for purposes such as public use or welfare. This provision ensures that only the central government can legislate on questions related to eminent domain—when the government takes private property for public benefit—preventing individual states from imposing their own rules or restrictions in this matter. It balances property rights with the need for public development, ensuring uniformity and authority at the national level.