Mains Practice Questions

Approach:

• Define federalism and its significance in India's political structure.
• Examine how federalism promotes effective governance, focusing on its role in accommodating diversity, enhancing local autonomy, and balancing power between the Centre and states.
• Conclude suitably.

Introduction:

In the landmark S.R. Bommai case (1994), the Supreme Court declared federalism as part of the basic structure of the Indian Constitution, emphasizing its critical role in maintaining the balance of power between the Centre and the states. It ensures that governance is tailored to meet the diverse needs of India’s heterogeneous society. It fosters unity while also providing regional autonomy, enabling regions to maintain their distinct identities and tackle specific challenges.

Body

Role of Federalism in India’s Political Structure and Governance

• Accommodating Diversity: Federalism allows for the decentralization of power, enabling states to govern in a way that reflects local needs, traditions, and values.
  • For example, article 1 of the Indian Constitution defines India as a Union of States, emphasizing unity in diversity.
    • The formation of linguistic states and recognition of regional languages under the Eighth Schedule further strengthen this unity by promoting cultural diversity and political stability.
• Ensuring Distribution of Power & Participatory Democracy: India's federal system is based on the division of powers outlined in the Seventh Schedule, which allocates powers among the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List.
  • The Union List empowers the central government with exclusive legislative authority over national matters, while the State List ensures that states have control over local issues such as agriculture.
  • The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments devolved powers to local self-governments, strengthening grassroots democracy and participatory democracy ensuring better service delivery in rural and urban areas.
• Strengthening National Unity: Indian federalism reinforces national unity by combining a strong central authority with respect for state autonomy. This flexible structure ensures unity without undermining state powers.
  • Judicial interventions, in S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994), have further safeguarded federal principles by limiting the arbitrary use of Article 356, thereby strengthening constitutional governance.
• Cooperative Federalism: India's federal structure is not just about division but also cooperation. The Sarkaria Commission (1988) and the Punchhi Commission (2010) emphasized cooperative federalism, where the Centre and states work together to achieve national goals.
  • The establishment of NITI Aayog reflects the growing emphasis on collaborative governance.
  • The Inter-State Council (Art 263) provides a platform for dialogue between the Centre and states, resolving issues through discussions and mutual agreement.
• Competitive Federalism: Following the economic reforms of the 1990s, the concept of competitive federalism has gained traction. States now compete to attract investments, improve infrastructure, and enhance business environments, which drives progress at the state and national levels.
  • The Ease of Doing Business rankings and Swachh Bharat Rankings are examples of how states are motivated to excel in governance and development through competition.
• Political Stability: Federalism offers political stability by allowing states to address their specific issues and concerns. It prevents the concentration of power in a central authority, which could lead to authoritarianism.
  • During times of political unrest or regional demands (Gorkhaland or Vidarbha), federalism provides a mechanism for peaceful resolution through dialogues.

Conclusion

Federalism is crucial to India’s political stability, ensuring decentralization, local autonomy, and national unity. It fosters inclusivity, prevents power concentration, and strengthens democratic principles. As outlined by PM Modi, federalism represents a new partnership in Team India, enhancing Centre-State relations. This collaborative approach remains key to India’s progress and unity.