Federalism, Decentralisation and Local Governance - Study Guide
What the exam tests
Federalism, Decentralisation and Local Governance tests India's federal design, Centre–State relations, and the 73rd and 74th Amendments. Kerala's local governance experience is a frequent applied case.
Core rules
- India has a written Constitution, dual polity, division of powers, bicameralism and an independent judiciary, but also a strong Centre, single citizenship, emergency provisions and Governor's role.
- The Seventh Schedule divides subjects into Union, State and Concurrent Lists; residuary powers vest in the Union.
- The 73rd Amendment (1992) constitutionalised Panchayats: three tiers, five-year terms, State Election Commission, State Finance Commission, reservations and Eleventh Schedule subjects.
- The 74th Amendment did the same for municipalities and added the Twelfth Schedule.
- Kerala's 1996 People's Plan Campaign devolved planning funds and functions to local bodies and strengthened Gram Sabhas, though capacity and elite capture remain concerns.
Worked example
Question: Can a State dissolve a panchayat before its term ends? Reason: The 73rd Amendment permits dissolution only before the expiry of its term, and if dissolved, elections must be held within six months. A general power to supersede for political reasons would violate the constitutional scheme. The answer must cite the five-year term and the six-month election rule.
Traps
Local government is constitutionalised but not a third federal level in the same sense as the Union and States; do not mix Eleventh and Twelfth Schedules; do not say the 73rd Amendment applies automatically to scheduled areas without PESA; do not confuse State Election Commission with Election Commission of India.