Federalism Notes

This chapter explains:

• Meaning of federalism
• Federalism in Indian Constitution
• Division of powers
• Strong central government
• Centre-state relations
• Demands for autonomy
• Role of Governors
• President’s Rule
• Interstate disputes
• Special provisions for states
• Jammu and Kashmir

The chapter highlights how India balances unity and diversity through federalism.

Meaning of Federalism

Federalism is:

• A system with two levels of government
• One at national level
• Another at regional/state level

Both governments:

• Have constitutional powers
• Function independently in their own areas

Why Federalism is Important

Federalism helps:

1. Accommodate diversity
2. Maintain national unity
3. Share powers
4. Protect regional identities
5. Reduce conflicts

Examples of Federal Countries

Examples discussed in chapter:

• India
• USA
• Germany
• Canada
• Nigeria

Countries where federalism failed:

• USSR
• Yugoslavia
• Pakistan
• Czechoslovakia

Federalism in West Indies

• West Indies federation formed in 1958
• Dissolved in 1962

Reasons:

• Weak central government
• Political competition among units

India and Diversity

India has:

• Many languages
• Different religions
• Tribal communities
• Regional diversity

Yet India maintains:

• Unity in diversity

Important Features of Federalism

1. Two Levels of Government

• National government
• Regional/state government

2. Division of Powers

Powers divided through Constitution.

3. Written Constitution

Constitution defines:

• Powers
• Responsibilities
• Rights

4. Supremacy of Constitution

Constitution is supreme.

5. Independent Judiciary

Judiciary resolves disputes between:

• Centre and States
• States and States

Federalism Depends on Political Culture

Federalism works properly when there is:

• Trust
• Cooperation
• Mutual respect
• Restraint

Dominance of one group may create:

• Resentment
• Secession demands
• Civil wars

Why India Adopted Federalism

India adopted federalism because:

1. Large geographical size
2. Linguistic diversity
3. Regional diversity
4. Democratic governance
5. Need for unity and cooperation

Article 1 of Constitution

Important Feature of Indian Federalism

Indian federalism is based on:

• Cooperation between Centre and States

Constitution:

• Recognises diversity
• Emphasises unity

Two Levels of Government

Indian Constitution creates:

1. Union Government
2. State Governments

Both have:

• Constitutional status
• Separate areas of work

Judiciary and Division of Powers

If disputes arise:

• Judiciary resolves them according to Constitution

Three Lists in Constitution

1. Union List

Only Parliament can make laws.

Subjects include:

• Defence
• Foreign Affairs
• Banking
• Currency
• Railways
• Airways

2. State List

Only State Legislature can make laws.

Subjects include:

• Police
• Agriculture
• Public Health
• Local Government
• Land

3. Concurrent List

Both Centre and States can make laws.

Subjects include:

• Education
• Forests
• Trade Unions
• Adoption
• Succession

Residuary Powers

Subjects not mentioned in any list:

• Belong to Union Government

Example:

• Cyber laws

Why Strong Centre Was Needed

Constitution makers wanted:

1. National unity
2. Integration of princely states
3. Economic development
4. Social reforms
5. Stability

Features Creating Strong Centre

1. Parliament Can Alter State Boundaries

Parliament can:

• Create new states
• Change boundaries
• Change names of states

2. Emergency Provisions

During emergency:

• Powers become centralised
• Parliament legislates on State subjects

3. Financial Powers of Centre

Centre controls:

• Major revenue sources
• Grants and loans

States:

• Depend financially on Centre

Planning and Centralisation

• Planning Commission coordinated economic planning
• Controlled resource management

This increased centralisation.

4. Powers of Governor

Governor can:

• Reserve bills for President
• Recommend dismissal of State government

5. Parliament Can Legislate on State Subjects

Rajya Sabha can allow Parliament:

• To legislate on State List matters

Article 257

States must not:

• Obstruct Union executive power

Centre can:

• Give directions to states

Integrated Administrative System

All India Services:

• IAS
• IPS

Serve:

• Both Centre and States

Controlled largely by:

• Union Government

Armed Forces Special Powers Act

Based on:

• Articles 33 and 34

It strengthened Union government powers.

Why Conflicts Occur

States demand:

• Greater powers
• More autonomy
• Financial independence

Centre-State Relations Over Time

Phase 1: 1950s–1960s

• Congress dominant everywhere
• Relations mostly smooth

Phase 2: Mid-1960s

• Opposition governments emerged in states
• Demands for autonomy increased

Phase 3: Since 1990s

• Coalition politics
• Regional parties became stronger
• Greater federal balance

Meaning of Autonomy

Autonomy means:

• Greater powers for states

Not:

• Separation from India

Main Demands of States

1. More Legislative Powers

States want:

• More powers from Centre

2. Financial Autonomy

States demand:

• Independent revenue sources
• Greater control over resources

3. Administrative Autonomy

States oppose:

• Excessive central control over administration

4. Cultural and Linguistic Autonomy

Examples:

• Opposition to Hindi imposition
• Promotion of Punjabi language and culture

Why Governor’s Role is Controversial

Governor:

• Appointed by Centre
• Not elected

States often view Governor as:

• Agent of Centre

Sarkaria Commission

Appointed in:

• 1983

Recommended:

• Non-partisan Governors

Article 356

Provides:

• President’s Rule

Applied when:

• State government cannot function constitutionally

Effects of President’s Rule

• State government dismissed
• State assembly suspended or dissolved
• Union government takes control

Misuse of Article 356

Centre often dismissed:

• Opposition state governments
• Kerala (1959)
• Andhra Pradesh
• Jammu and Kashmir

Basis of State Reorganisation

States reorganised mainly on:

• Linguistic basis
• Cultural identity

States Reorganisation Commission

Set up in:

• 1953

Recommended:

• Linguistic states

Important State Formations

Types of Interstate Disputes

1. Border Disputes

Examples:

• Maharashtra vs Karnataka (Belgaum)
• Punjab vs Haryana (Chandigarh)
• Manipur vs Nagaland

2. River Water Disputes

Examples:

• Cauvery dispute
• Narmada dispute

Why River Disputes are Serious

Because rivers affect:

• Agriculture
• Drinking water
• Economy

Meaning of Special Provisions

Some states receive:

• Special constitutional arrangements

Due to:

• Historical reasons
• Tribal population
• Cultural uniqueness

States with Special Provisions

Examples:

• Assam
• Nagaland
• Mizoram
• Arunachal Pradesh
• Himachal Pradesh
• Goa
• Telangana

Article 370

Jammu and Kashmir earlier had:

• Special status

State concurrence required for:

• Laws on Union and Concurrent Lists

Features of J&K’s Special Status

J&K had:

• Separate Constitution
• Separate flag
• Greater autonomy

Centre had:

• Limited powers initially

Removal of Special Status

Through:

• Jammu and Kashmir Reorganisation Act, 2019

State divided into:

1. Jammu and Kashmir
2. Ladakh

Both became Union Territories.

Important Topic	Pages
Meaning of Federalism	153–156
Federalism in India	157–159
Division of Powers	158–159
Strong Centre	160–163
Centre-State Relations	163–165
Autonomy Demands	165–166
Governor and President’s Rule	166–167
New States	167–168
Interstate Disputes	168–169
Special Provisions	170–171

Very Short Answer Questions

1. Define federalism.
2. What is Article 356?
3. What are residuary powers?
4. What is President’s Rule?
5. What is Article 370?

Short Answer Questions

1. Explain features of federalism.
2. Discuss division of powers in India.
3. Explain demands for autonomy.
4. Why is Governor’s role controversial?
5. Explain interstate disputes.

Long Answer Questions

1. Explain federalism in Indian Constitution.
2. Discuss why Indian Constitution creates a strong centre.
3. Explain centre-state conflicts in India.
4. Discuss demands for new states.
5. Explain special provisions for states in Indian federalism.

1. What is federalism?

A system with division of powers between Centre and States.

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2. Which Article provides President’s Rule?

Article 356.

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3. What are residuary powers?

Subjects not mentioned in any list.

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4. What is Article 370?

Provision giving special status to Jammu and Kashmir.

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5. Why are states reorganised?

Mainly for linguistic and administrative reasons.

• Federalism:
  • Division of powers between Centre and States
• Features:
  • Two governments
  • Written Constitution
  • Independent judiciary
  • Division of powers
• Lists:
  • Union List
  • State List
  • Concurrent List
• Indian federalism has:
  • Strong Centre
• Centre stronger because:
  • Emergency powers
  • Financial control
  • Governor’s powers
  • All India Services
• States demand:
  • More autonomy
  • Financial powers
  • Administrative powers
• Article 356:
  • President’s Rule
• Interstate disputes:
  • Border disputes
  • River water disputes
• Special provisions:
  • For northeastern states
  • Earlier for Jammu and Kashmir
• Article 370:
  • Removed in 2019