Indian Federalism:
1.What type of constitution does India have, which is a federal feature? Written
2.How many lists divide legislative powers in the Indian Constitution? Three
3.Which list contains subjects on which only the Parliament can legislate? Union
4.What term describes India's federal system, indicating a blend of federal and unitary features? Quasi-federal
5.Who appoints the Governor of a state in India? President
6.Which constitutional body recommends the distribution of tax revenues between the Centre and states? Finance
7.What kind of citizenship does India provide for its citizens? Single
8.Which Article deals with President's Rule in a state? 356
9.What new institution replaced the Planning Commission in 2015? NITI
10.What major indirect tax reform was implemented in 2017, affecting Centre-State finances? GST
11.Which commission was appointed in 1983 to examine Centre-State relations? Sarkaria
12.What term describes states collaborating to achieve common national goals? Cooperative
13.What term describes states competing for investments and development? Competitive
14.Who holds the residuary powers of legislation in India? Parliament
15.What body is established under Article 263 to promote coordination between states and the Centre? Inter-State
Short Answer Questions (Answer in 2-4 sentences)
1. What are the two main features of a federal system of government? Answer: The two main features of a federal system are a dual polity, meaning two levels of government (Centre and states), and a clear division of powers between these levels, usually enshrined in a written constitution. Both levels of government derive their powers from the same constitution and are supreme in their respective spheres.
2. Why is the Indian federal system often described as 'quasi-federal'? Answer: The Indian federal system is described as 'quasi-federal' because while it possesses strong federal features like a written constitution, division of powers, and an independent judiciary, it also exhibits significant unitary biases. These unitary features include a strong Centre, single citizenship, integrated judiciary, and emergency provisions that can centralize power.
3. Name the three lists that divide legislative powers between the Centre and states. Answer: The three lists that divide legislative powers are the Union List, the State List, and the Concurrent List. The Union List contains subjects on which only the Parliament can legislate, the State List contains subjects for state legislatures, and the Concurrent List includes subjects on which both can legislate, with Union law prevailing in case of conflict.
4. What are 'residuary powers' in the context of Indian federalism? Who holds them? Answer: Residuary powers refer to the legislative authority over subjects that are not enumerated in any of the three lists (Union, State, or Concurrent) of the Seventh Schedule. In India, the Parliament (Union Government) holds these residuary powers, which is another indication of the Centre's strong position.
5. How does the appointment of the Governor reflect a unitary bias in Indian federalism? Answer: The appointment of the Governor by the President (on the advice of the Union government) reflects a unitary bias because the Governor acts as a representative of the Centre in the state. This position can be used by the Union government to influence or even intervene in state affairs, especially during times of political instability or constitutional breakdown.
6. Briefly explain the concept of 'Cooperative Federalism'. Answer: Cooperative Federalism is a concept where the Centre and states collaborate and coordinate with each other to achieve common national goals, rather than working in isolation or competition. It emphasizes mutual trust, dialogue, and joint action through mechanisms like the Inter-State Council and NITI Aayog to ensure smooth governance and development.
7. What is the role of the Finance Commission in Centre-State relations? Answer: The Finance Commission is a constitutional body (Article 280) constituted every five years to recommend the distribution of net proceeds of taxes between the Union and the states, and the principles governing grants-in-aid to states. Its primary role is to ensure equitable financial devolution and maintain fiscal balance between the two levels of government.
8. How has the Goods and Services Tax (GST) impacted Centre-State financial relations? Answer: The GST has significantly impacted Centre-State financial relations by subsuming numerous central and state indirect taxes into a single national tax. While it aims for a unified market, it has led to greater centralization of indirect tax powers, with states now relying on the GST Council (a joint forum) and central compensation for revenue shortfalls, shifting some financial autonomy towards the Centre.
9. What is the significance of the Inter-State Council? Answer: The Inter-State Council, established under Article 263, is a crucial constitutional body designed to promote coordination and resolve disputes between states, and between the Centre and states. It serves as a platform for discussion and deliberation on matters of common interest, thereby fostering cooperative federalism and strengthening the unity of the country.
10. Mention any two recent trends in Indian federalism. Answer: Two recent trends in Indian federalism include the increasing emphasis on 'Cooperative Federalism' and 'Competitive Federalism'. Cooperative federalism is promoted through bodies like NITI Aayog, while competitive federalism sees states vying with each other to attract investment and achieve better development outcomes, often through policy reforms and ease of doing business initiatives.
Long Answer Questions (Answer in 150-200 words)
1. "The Indian Constitution is federal in form but unitary in spirit." Discuss this statement by highlighting the federal and unitary features of the Indian political system. Answer: The statement "The Indian Constitution is federal in form but unitary in spirit" accurately captures the unique nature of Indian federalism, often termed 'quasi-federal'. In form, India exhibits several classic federal features. It has a written and rigid Constitution that is the supreme law of the land. There is a dual polity with distinct governments at the Centre and state levels, each deriving authority from the Constitution. The division of powers is clearly delineated through the Union, State, and Concurrent Lists in the Seventh Schedule. An independent judiciary, headed by the Supreme Court, acts as the interpreter of the Constitution and the arbiter of disputes between the Centre and states. Lastly, the bicameral legislature (Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha) provides for representation of both the people and the states.
However, the 'unitary spirit' is evident in several provisions that grant the Centre significant powers over the states. The strong Centre is visible in the Union List containing more important subjects, Parliament's residuary powers, and its overriding power on Concurrent List subjects. The appointment of Governors by the President, who act as the Centre's agents, allows for central influence. Single citizenship and an integrated judiciary (with the Supreme Court at the apex) further undermine state autonomy. Most significantly, the Emergency Provisions (Articles 352, 356, 360) can transform the federal structure into a unitary one, centralizing all powers. The ease with which the Centre can create or alter state boundaries also points to a unitary bias. Thus, while powers are divided, the balance often tilts heavily in favour of the Union, especially in times of crisis or political dominance by a single party at the Centre.
2. Analyze the evolution of Centre-State relations in India since independence, focusing on the shifts from cooperative to more competitive federalism and the impact of recent reforms like GST and NITI Aayog. Answer: Centre-State relations in India have evolved significantly since independence, reflecting shifts in political dynamics and economic priorities. Initially, during the era of one-party dominance (especially under the Congress), Centre-State relations were largely characterized by cooperative federalism, albeit with a strong centralizing tendency. The Planning Commission played a crucial role in allocating resources, often leading to states relying heavily on central grants. However, this period also saw instances of central intervention, particularly through Article 356.
The decline of one-party dominance from the late 1980s and the rise of regional parties ushered in an era of coalition politics. This period saw increased assertiveness from states, demanding greater autonomy and financial resources. Regional parties, as crucial partners in coalition governments at the Centre, gained significant bargaining power, leading to a more balanced, though often contentious, federal dynamic. This phase emphasized the importance of institutions like the Inter-State Council.
Recent trends, particularly since 2014, have focused on strengthening both cooperative and competitive federalism. The replacement of the Planning Commission with NITI Aayog aimed to foster cooperative federalism by involving states more actively in policy formulation through a 'bottom-up' approach. NITI Aayog acts as a think-tank and a platform for dialogue, emphasizing shared goals. Simultaneously, the concept of competitive federalism has gained traction, where states are encouraged to compete with each other for investments, better governance, and development outcomes, often through ease of doing business rankings and performance-based incentives.
The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) is a significant reform impacting financial relations. While it unified the indirect tax regime and created a common national market, it also centralized a substantial portion of indirect taxation, requiring states to cede some financial autonomy. The GST Council, comprising both Union and State Finance Ministers, exemplifies cooperative federalism in action, as decisions are made through consensus. Overall, the evolution shows a movement towards greater state participation and a more dynamic, albeit sometimes challenging, equilibrium between the Centre and states.
