The Constitution of India describes India as a Union of States

Explanation:
The Constitution of India, adopted on 26th January 1950, clearly describes India as a "Union of States." This concept is enshrined in the Preamble of the Constitution, which states that India is a "sovereign socialist secular democratic republic." The term "Union" implies the coming together of different states under a common political framework, while also acknowledging their individuality and autonomy.

India as a Federation:
- The Constitution of India establishes a federal system of government, where power is divided between the central government and the state governments.
- It provides for a dual polity, with authority and responsibilities distributed between the Union government and the state governments.
- The Union List, State List, and Concurrent List outline the domains in which the Union and the states have jurisdiction.
- The Constitution also establishes a federal structure by providing for a bicameral legislature at the national level, with a directly elected lower house (Lok Sabha) and an indirectly elected upper house (Rajya Sabha).
- The states also have their own legislative bodies, with elected representatives.

India as a Union:
- While India operates as a federation, it is essential to understand the concept of a "Union" within the Indian context.
- The term "Union" emphasizes the idea of a strong center that holds the diverse states together.
- The Union government has certain exclusive powers, such as defense, foreign affairs, currency, and communication, which are necessary for the unity and integrity of the nation.
- The President of India, who is the head of the Union, is elected by an electoral college consisting of the elected members of both houses of Parliament and the state legislative assemblies.
- The Union government also has the authority to intervene in the affairs of the states under specific circumstances, such as during a breakdown of constitutional machinery in a state.

Conclusion:
Thus, the Constitution of India describes India as a "Union of States" to reflect the federal structure of government, where power is shared between the central government and the state governments. While the states enjoy a certain level of autonomy, the Union government holds the responsibility of maintaining the unity and integrity of the nation.