Indian Federalism and Centre-State Relations
What the exam tests
Expect questions on federal features, unitary features, the three lists, and centre-state relations, including emergency provisions and commissions.
Core rules and concepts
- Division of powers: Union List, State List and Concurrent List (Seventh Schedule, Article 246); residuary powers with the Union (Article 248).
- Federal features: written constitution, two governments, bicameralism, independent judiciary and state representation in the Rajya Sabha.
- Unitary features: single citizenship, All India Services, Governor as the Centre's agent, emergency provisions (Articles 352, 356, 360), and Parliament's power to legislate on state matters in emergencies.
- Bodies: Finance Commission (Article 280) for tax devolution; GST Council (Article 279A); Inter-State Council (Article 263).
- Commissions: Sarkaria Commission (1983) and Punchhi Commission (2007) recommended cooperative federalism.
Worked example
'Can Parliament legislate on a State List subject?' Reason: normally no. It can under Article 249 if the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by two-thirds, under Article 250 during a national emergency, under Article 252 if states consent, or to implement international treaties under Article 253. The exception must be named; a general claim that Parliament is supreme is wrong.
Traps
Do not say residuary powers belong to the states. Do not confuse Article 356 (President's rule) with Article 352 (national emergency). Do not call the Governor an elected state officer. Do not say the Finance Commission decides GST rates; the GST Council does.