Chapter 2: Federalism – Detailed Flashcards
1. Concept of Federalism
Q: What is meant by federalism?
A: Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority
and various constituent units of the country. It has two levels of government:
1. A government for the entire country, usually responsible for a few subjects of common
national interest.
2. Governments at the level of provinces or states that look after much of the day-to-day
administration of their state.
Q: What are the objectives of federalism?
A: The dual objectives are:
● To safeguard and promote the unity of the country.
● To accommodate regional diversity.
2. Key Features of Federalism
Q: List the seven key features of federalism.
A:
1. Two or more levels (or tiers) of government.
2. Different tiers govern the same citizens, but each tier has its own jurisdiction in specific
matters of legislation, taxation, and administration.
3. The existence and authority of each tier is guaranteed by the Constitution.
4. Fundamental provisions of the Constitution cannot be unilaterally changed by one level
of government.
5. Courts have the power to interpret the Constitution and the powers of different levels of
government.
6. Sources of revenue for each level of government are clearly specified.
7. The federal system has dual objectives: unity of the country and accommodation of
regional diversity.
3. Types of Federations
Q: What are the two ways of forming a federation?
A:
1. ‘Coming together’ federations: Independent states come together voluntarily to form a
bigger union and retain their sovereignty while pooling some powers. Example: USA,
Switzerland, Australia.
2. ‘Holding together’ federations: A large country decides to divide its power between
the central government and constituent states to ensure unity. Example: India, Spain,
Belgium.
Q: Which type is India?
A: India is a ‘holding together’ federation.
4. Federalism in India
Q: How does the Constitution of India distribute powers between Union and State
governments?
A: Through a threefold distribution of legislative powers:
● Union List (97 subjects): Subjects of national importance such as defence, foreign
affairs, banking, currency.
● State List (66 subjects): Matters of state and local importance such as police, trade,
commerce, agriculture, irrigation.
● Concurrent List (47 subjects): Matters of common interest such as education, forest,
trade unions, marriage, adoption, succession.
Q: What are residuary powers?
A: Subjects not included in any of the three lists. According to the Indian Constitution, the
Union government has the power to legislate on these.
5. Special Features of Indian Federalism
Q: How is Indian federalism different from American federalism?
A: Unlike the US, where all states have equal powers, Indian states do not have equal powers.
Some states enjoy special powers (e.g., Jammu & Kashmir earlier, and several North-Eastern
states have special status due to their history, culture, or geographical situation).
Q: Why is India called a quasi-federal country?
A: Because the Constitution provides a strong centre and allows the Union to change the state
boundaries or powers in certain situations, making it more federal in form but unitary in spirit.
6. Language Policy
Q: What is India’s language policy?
A:
● No language has been given the status of national language.
● Hindi (in Devanagari script) is the official language.
● English is also used for official purposes.
● The Constitution has recognised 22 languages as ‘Scheduled Languages’.
● States can have their own official languages.
This flexible approach has helped avoid conflicts.
7. Centre–State Relations
Q: How were Centre–State relations restructured after 1990?
A:
● The era of one-party dominance ended.
● Rise of regional parties increased the power of states in national politics.
● Coalition governments at the Centre needed state parties’ support.
● This made the Indian federation more balanced.
8. Local Governments (Decentralisation)
Q: Why was decentralisation introduced in India?
A: Because a vast country like India cannot be run only by two tiers (Centre and States). A third
tier was created to take power closer to the people.
Q: Which amendments provided constitutional status to local governments?
A: The 73rd and 74th Amendments (1992).
Q: Explain the three-tier structure of Panchayati Raj.
A:
1. Gram Panchayat (village level) – elected by the entire village, headed by a Sarpanch.
2. Block/Mandal level – Panchayat Samiti or Mandal Parishad, group of villages.
3. Zila Parishad (district level) – members elected by all panchayat members of the
district.
Q: How is urban local government organised?
A:
● Municipalities in towns.
● Municipal Corporations in big cities.
Q: What is special about representation in local governments?
A: At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women. Seats are also reserved for
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes.
9. Practice-Based Flashcards
Q: Which list gives exclusive powers to the Union government?
A: The Union List.
Q: Which list allows both Union and State governments to legislate?
A: The Concurrent List, but Union law prevails if there is conflict.
Q: How does federalism promote national unity?
A: By sharing power between different levels of government, it prevents concentration of power
and ensures accommodation of diverse regions and cultures.
