Federalism in India: Features and Challenges

TOPIC CLASSIFICATION

Subject: Indian Polity & Governance Sub-area: Federal Structure - Union-State Relations, Federal Features Difficulty: Medium-Hard Weightage: High (2 Prelims + 1 Mains question every year)

EXAMINER REASONING

1. Trap: Calling India a "federal state" without qualifying "quasi-federal" or "unitary with federal features" - Courts have described it as such.
2. Most confused: Federal (USA model) vs Quasi-federal (India) vs Unitary (UK) - distinguishing features.
3. Key anchor: Article 1 - "Union of States" (not "Federation of States") - indicates indestructible union.
4. Current affairs hook: GST Council (federal cooperation); Tamil Nadu's demand for more tax devolution; State vs Governor tussles (2024-25).
5. Mains hinge: "India's Constitution is federal in form but unitary in spirit. Do you agree? Critically examine with reference to Centre-State relations."

Core Concept

Federal Features of Indian Constitution

1. Written Constitution: The longest written constitution in the world
2. Division of Powers: Union List (100), State List (61), Concurrent List (52) - Seventh Schedule
3. Supremacy of Constitution: Basic structure doctrine ensures constitutional supremacy
4. Rigid Constitution: Amendment requires special majority (Article 368)
5. Independent Judiciary: SC as arbiter of disputes - Article 131 (original jurisdiction)
6. Bicameralism: Rajya Sabha represents...