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Federal Features - Polity and Constitution, UPSC, IAS. | Polity and Constitution (Prelims) by IAS Masters PDF Download

Federal Features

FEDERAL SYSTEM

Federal Govt

  • A government in which the powers are divided between the national government and the regional governments by the constitution and both operates in their respective jurisdiction independently.
  • USA, Switzerland, Australia, Canada, Russia, Brazil and so on have federal form of govt.

Unitary Govt.

  • A Govt in which all powers are vested in the national government and regional governments derived their authority from the national govt.

Federal Features of the Constitution

  1. Dual polity: union Govt at the center and state Govt at the periphery. Each is endowed with sovereign powers
  2. Written constitution: Indian constitution is written & lengthiest
  3. Division of powers; in terms of three lists provided in the Schedule-VII
  4. Supremacy of the constitution: constitution is supreme and all laws enacted must confirm to its provisions
  5. Rigid constitution: it is rigid to the extent that provisions relating to federal structure can be amended only by the joint action of Centre and state Govt
  6. Independent judiciary

Non-Federal features

  1. Strong centre: Union list has more subjects and residuary powers have been left with the centre.
  2. States not indestructible: under Art 3, parliament can change the area, boundary or name of any state by simple majority.
  3. Single constitution
  4. Flexibility of the constitution: the bulk of the constitution can be amended by parliament only even by simple majority.
  5. Emergency provisions: it converts the federal structure into unitary structure.
  6. Single citizenship
  7. Integrated judiciary
  8. All-India services: though the centre and states have their own services but there are All-India services which are common to both.
  9. Parliament’s authority over state’s list; the parliament can legislate on state subject if empowered by the Rajya Sabha.
  10. Appointment of governor
  11. Integrated Audit machinery
  12. Integrated Election machinery; the EC conducts election to both the union and the state legislature
  13. Veto over state Bill: the governor is empowered to reserve the bill for the consideration of the president. The president can withhold his assent ot such Bill
The document Federal Features - Polity and Constitution, UPSC, IAS. | Polity and Constitution (Prelims) by IAS Masters is a part of the UPSC Course Polity and Constitution (Prelims) by IAS Masters.
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FAQs on Federal Features - Polity and Constitution, UPSC, IAS. - Polity and Constitution (Prelims) by IAS Masters

1. What is the significance of federal features in a polity and constitution?
Answer: Federal features in a polity and constitution refer to the division of powers between the central government and regional or state governments. These features are significant as they help in ensuring a balanced distribution of power, promoting unity among diverse regions, and protecting the rights and interests of different states within a country.
2. How does a federal system of government differ from a unitary system?
Answer: In a federal system, power is divided between the central government and regional or state governments, with each level of government having its own separate authority and jurisdiction. On the other hand, in a unitary system, power is concentrated at the central government level, and regional or local governments have limited or delegated powers.
3. What are some examples of countries with federal features in their polity and constitution?
Answer: Some examples of countries with federal features in their polity and constitution include the United States, Canada, Australia, Germany, and India. These countries have a division of powers between the central government and state or regional governments, with each level of government having their own areas of authority.
4. How does the presence of federal features impact the governance structure of a country?
Answer: The presence of federal features in the governance structure of a country leads to a decentralized system of government where power is shared between the central government and regional governments. This allows for greater autonomy and decision-making authority at the regional level, promoting local governance and addressing the specific needs and concerns of different regions within the country.
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of a federal system of government?
Answer: The advantages of a federal system of government include the protection of regional interests and diversity, promotion of local governance and participation, and the prevention of concentration of power. However, some disadvantages include potential conflicts between the central and regional governments, administrative complexities, and difficulties in achieving uniformity in policies and laws across different regions.
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