Short Questions with Answers - Federalism

Q1. What is federalism?
Ans: Federalism is a system of government in which powers are distributed between the Centre and the States by a constitution. It is based on the territorial distribution of powers. This system of government is considered essential in plural societies, i.e., where people of diverse culture, religion, language and dialect reside; federalism allows for their fuller social and political development.

Q2. Name some countries with the Federal system of Government.
Ans: There are a number of countries that follow a federal system. Examples include:

• India
• U.S.A. (United States of America)
• Canada
• Switzerland
• Australia

Q3. Write five essential features of a federal government.
Ans:

• Written constitution
• Supremacy of constitution
• Bicameral Legislature
• Independent and impartial Judiciary
• Double Government.

Q4. What is the utility of a federal Government?
Ans:

• It is based on the decentralisation
• It is more democratic and natural
• It gives an opportunity for better representatives and the development of regional and local areas.
• It checks the authoritarian tendency of Central Government

Q5. What are the demerits of the Federal Government?
Ans: Followings are the main demerits of the federal government:

• It generates parochialism
• It breeds competition among the states.
• It generates secessionist trends.
• It is harmful for national integration
• It delays the decisions
• It is a costly system of government

Q6. Write four federal features of the Indian constitution.
Ans:

• Written and rigid Constitution:
• The supremacy of the Constitution
• Division of powers between centre and states.
• Bicameral Legislature in the centre.
• Independent Judiciary.

Q7. Why the Federal system of Government is necessary for India?
Ans: India is a plural society with diversity in caste, religion, language, region and geography. A federal system allows different regions to preserve their identity and pursue development suited to local conditions. It helps accommodate regional aspirations, promotes political stability and strengthens unity by recognising diversity.

Q8. What is the nature of Indian federation?
Ans: India has structural features of federalism, but the Constitution does not use the word "federation". Article 1 states, "India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States." The phrase "Union of States" implies that the Union is not simply a compact among the States; rather, the States are part of a single sovereign entity. This gives India a quasi-federal character with a strong Centre.

Q9. How the powers are divided between the centre and states?
Ans: Powers are divided by the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution into three lists:

• Union (Central) List - includes subjects on which Parliament legislates.
• State List -subjects on which State legislatures legislate.
• Concurrent List - subjects on which both Parliament and State legislatures can legislate; in case of conflict, central law prevails.
• Residual powers - Powers not mentioned in the lists rest with the Centre.

Q10. Write four unitary features of Indian constitution.
Ans:

• Single constitution and single citizenship - India has one constitution and one citizenship for all citizens.
• Unequal distribution of powers - The division of powers is tilted towards the Centre.
• Emergency provisions - Under Article 352, the Centre has wide powers during national emergencies.
• President's Rule in states - Under Article 356, the Centre can take over state administration in certain circumstances.
• Governor appointed by the President - Governors act as Centre's representatives and can influence state politics.

Q12. What is co-operation federalism?
Ans: The political scientist K. C. Wheare described the Indian federal system as a co-operative federal system. In this model, the Centre and States work together and coordinate policies for mutual benefit rather than operate in strict isolation. Co-operative arrangements include financial transfers, administrative coordination and joint institutions.

Q13. What is the role of Governor in the State?
Ans: The Governor has a double responsibility in the States:

• Nominal head - The Governor is the constitutional, ceremonial head of a State.
• Agent of the Centre - The Governor represents the Centre in the State and safeguards national interests by ensuring that State governance follows constitutional provisions.

Q14. Explain special provisions for some states.
Ans: The Constitution contains special provisions for certain States because of their particular historical, cultural or geographical circumstances. Most such provisions relate to the Northeastern States (for example Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram) under Article 371. Jammu and Kashmir previously enjoyed special status under Article 370, but this provision was abrogated in August 2019 and the region was reorganised. The Constitution therefore provides different arrangements where required by special circumstances.

Q15. What is bargaining federal system?
Ans: Scholars differ about the precise nature of Indian federalism. Some call it unitary, others federal with unitary features. Morris Jones described the Indian system as a bargaining federal system - a system in which relations between the Centre and States often operate through bargaining, negotiation and political compromise rather than by strictly prescribed constitutional rules.

Q16. Define federalism. Why it is needed in a plural society?
Ans: Federalism is a system of government in which powers are divided between a central authority and constituent units (States). In a true federation, States surrender certain powers to create a Centre for national concerns, while retaining control over local matters. In a plural society, federalism is needed to recognise regional, linguistic and cultural differences, to protect minority interests, and to allow local self-government so that diverse groups can pursue development according to their needs.

Q17. Compare the federal system of India with the federal system of the United States of America.
Ans: India and the United States both have federal structures, but they differ in several respects:

• Origin - In the USA the Union is a creation of the States (the States joined to form the Union); in India the States are units within a Union created by the Constitution.
• Constitutional description - The USA is described as a federation in its Constitution; India is described as a "Union of States".
• Distribution of powers - American states enjoy considerable powers; in India more powers are vested in the Centre.
• Residual powers - In the USA residual powers rest with the States; in India residual powers rest with the Centre.

Q18. Explain the unity in diversity in India.
Ans: India has great diversity of language, region, culture and climate, yet it sustains national unity. Shared values, common historical experiences (for example the struggle for independence), a sense of common citizenship and constitutional frameworks bind people together. Despite regional differences, Indians generally share common aspirations and cooperate in public life; this combination is described as "unity in diversity".

Q19. Write the main features of a federal system.
Ans: Federalism, as a principle of Government, has evolved differently in different situations yet there are some basic features which are generally considered essential for a federal system. These areas under.

• Written Constitution & double Constitution
• Rigid Consitution
• The institutional mechanism to accommodate two sets of politics.
• Two sets of identities and loyalties of the people to their region as well as their nation.
• Distribution of powers between two sets of Government one at centra! level and other at the state level.
• Bicameral legislative
• Independent Judiciary
• Double Citizenship
• Supremacy of Constitution
• Residual powers with the states

Q20. Write federal features of the Indian constitution.
Ans: Indian society is a plural society so there is a plural polity in India. Followings are the main dominant features in the Indian Constitution on the basis of which we can term the Indian Constitution as a federal system:

• Written Constitution
• Rigid Constitution
• Supremacy of Constitution
• Divisions of Powers between centre and states.
• Double sets of polity
• Double set of loyalties of the people. One for their regions and others for the nation
• Bicameral Legislature
• Independent judiciary to settle the dispute between the centre and states.

Q21. Write the main unitary features of Indian constitution.
Ans: Structurally Indian Constitution appears to be federal but there are some features in Indian Constitution which make it unitary. These are as under:

• There is no word federation in the Indian constitution. Rather it is the union of states.
• Unequal distribution of powers between the centre and states.
• Unequal representation of the states in the upper House.
• Emergency powers of the President
• Integrated judiciary
• President Rule in the states
• Important appointment by the President
• Governor as the agent of centre in States.
• Single Constitution
• Single Citizenship
• The dominance of centre on Election Commission, Planning commission and NDC
• The increasing role of All India Government Service

Q22. Write Legislative relations between the centre and states.
Ans:

• Subjects are divided into three lists in the Seventh Schedule: Union List , State List  and Concurrent List .
• Parliament legislates on Union List subjects; State legislatures legislate on State List subjects.
• On Concurrent List subjects both Parliament and State legislatures may legislate; in case of conflict, central law prevails.
• Residual powers rest with the Centre.
• In emergency situations, Parliament may legislate on State List subjects.
• While President's Rule is in force in a State, Parliament legislates for that State.
• To fulfil international obligations, Parliament may legislate on matters that are ordinarily state subjects.
• The Governor may, in certain cases, reserve a State bill for the consideration of the President.

Q23. What is President Rule?
Ans: Under Article 356 of the Constitution, the President may assume direct control of a State's administration (commonly called President's Rule) if the Governor, in his or her report, recommends it on grounds such as:

• Breakdown of law and order in the State.
• Political instability or inability to form a stable government.
• No party commands a majority and no alternative is possible, leading to prolonged political deadlock.
• Failure of constitutional machinery - the State government is not being carried on in accordance with constitutional provisions.

It is the Governor's discretion to report such a situation; the imposition of President's Rule is then by the President on the advice of the Union Council of Ministers.

Q24. Explain the executive relations between the centre and states.
Ans:

• Article 257 provides that the executive power of a State shall be so exercised as not to impede the executive powers of the Union; the Union may give directions to States as necessary for this purpose.
• States are expected to formulate policies broadly in tune with national policies where coordination is needed.
• During an emergency, the President may issue directions to States, and the administration of States may come under central control.
• The Governor, as Centre's representative, can influence State administration and may recommend President's Rule if necessary.
• All-India Services (for example IAS and IPS) provide administrative links between the Centre and the States, ensuring coordinated administration.

Q25. Write the discretionary powers of the Governor.
Ans:

• To reserve certain Bills passed by the State legislature for the consideration of the President.
• When no party has a clear majority, the Governor has discretion in deciding whom to invite to form the government.
• To assess and judge the existence of political instability in the State.
• To recommend the imposition of President's Rule to the President when constitutional breakdown is perceived.

Q26. Enumerable main demands for autonomy
Ans:

• Reallocation of powers in favour of the States and a reduction in the Centre's dominance.
• Independent revenue sources for States and greater control over local resources.
• More powers to States in developmental and administrative fields.
• Greater rights for cultural and linguistic development at the State level.
• Increased autonomy in financial and commercial matters for States.

Q27. Do you support the creation of new states?
Ans: The creation of new States has often been justified on grounds of administrative convenience, better governance and recognition of distinct regional identities. In recent decades several new States have been formed - for example Uttarakhand (from Uttar Pradesh), Jharkhand (from Bihar) and Chhattisgarh (from Madhya Pradesh). While smaller States can improve administration and local development, frequent reorganisation may raise costs and could pose challenges to national integration. Each demand therefore needs to be examined on its merits, balancing administrative efficiency and the unity of the nation.

Q28. Discuss the controversy regarding the role of Governors in the state.
Ans:

• The post of Governor has been controversial because Governors are appointed by the President and critics allege partisan appointments and interventions have occurred. The Sarkaria Commission recommended that Governor appointments be non-partisan and made with care.
• Controversy has centred on the use of discretionary powers by some Governors, including recommending President's Rule, reserving Bills for the President, and decisions about government formation when no party has a clear majority. These actions have sometimes led to charges of bias and political interference.

Q29. Discuss the working of the federal system in India under the era of coalition Government.
Ans:

• The decline of single-party dominance and the rise of regional parties have transformed Indian federal politics. Regional parties now play a major role both in State governments and in coalitions at the Centre.
• Coalition governments have encouraged bargaining and negotiation between the Centre and States, giving States greater bargaining power and fostering cooperative arrangements. This has led to a more negotiated form of federalism in practice.

Q30. Mention special provisions in the Constitution for some states.
Ans: The Constitution provides special provisions for certain States because of their unique historical, cultural or geographic circumstances. Most such provisions concern the Northeastern States under Article 371. Jammu and Kashmir had special provisions under Article 370 in the past; however, Article 370 was abrogated in August 2019 and the region was reorganised. The Constitution thus accommodates special arrangements where needed to protect local interests and stability.