Federal System And Centre-State Relationship

Question 1

What is federalism?

Answer 1

A system where power is divided between central and state governments with defined powers, usually by a written Constitution.

Question 2

Is India truly federal?

Answer 2

India is quasi-federal with a strong unitary bias.

Question 3

What does Article 1 say about Indian federalism?

Answer 3

India is a Union of States; states can’t secede.

Question 4

What are the three types of Centre–State relations?

Answer 4

Legislative, Administrative, Financial.

Question 5

What Articles deal with Legislative Relations?

Answer 5

Articles 245–255.

Question 6

What is the Union List?

Answer 6

97 subjects where only Parliament can legislate.

Question 7

What is the State List?

Answer 7

66 subjects where states can legislate exclusively.

Question 8

What is the Concurrent List?

Answer 8

47 subjects where both Parliament and states can legislate; Union law prevails (Art. 254).

Question 9

What happens during an emergency to legislative powers?

Answer 9

Parliament can legislate on state subjects.

Question 10

What does Article 249 provide for?

Answer 10

Rajya Sabha can allow Parliament to legislate on state subjects in national interest.

Question 11

What does Article 250 provide for?

Answer 11

Parliament can legislate on state subjects during a National Emergency.

Question 12

What Articles deal with Administrative Relations?

Answer 12

Articles 256–263.

Question 13

What is Article 256 about?

Answer 13

States must comply with Central laws.

Question 14

What is Article 257 about?

Answer 14

Centre can give directions to states.

Question 15

Why are All India Services important?

Answer 15

Ensure uniform standards and controlled by the Centre.

Question 16

What is Article 263 about?

Answer 16

Provides for Inter-State Council to promote coordination and resolve disputes.

Question 17

What Articles deal with Financial Relations?

Answer 17

Articles 268–293.

Question 18

How are taxes divided in India?

Answer 18

Union-exclusive, State-exclusive, and shared taxes.

Question 19

What are shared taxes?

Answer 19

Taxes collected by Centre but shared with states (e.g. income tax, CGST).

Question 20

What is the role of the Finance Commission (Art. 280)?

Answer 20

Recommends tax revenue distribution between Centre and states.

Question 21

What is the GST Council?

Answer 21

Body for Centre–State coordination on indirect taxation.

Question 22

How does the Centre control states?

Answer 22

Appointment of Governors, emergency powers, All India Services, grants-in-aid, overriding laws.

Question 23

What is cooperative federalism?

Answer 23

Both levels work together (e.g., GST, NITI Aayog).

Question 24

What is competitive federalism?

Answer 24

States compete on governance and investment (e.g., ease of doing business).

Question 25

What did the Sarkaria Commission recommend?

Answer 25

More autonomy to states.

Question 26

What did the Punchhi Commission suggest?

Answer 26

Balance of power and cooperative federalism.

Question 27

What is the role of NITI Aayog in federalism?

Answer 27

Promotes state participation in national policy.

Question 28

What does Article 254 state?

Answer 28

In Concurrent List conflict, Union law prevails.

Question 29

What is Article 280?

Answer 29

Provides for the Finance Commission.

Question 30

What is Article 263?

Answer 30

Deals with Inter-State Council.

Question 31

Give an example of a Mains question on federalism.

Answer 31

“Indian federalism is a system with strong unitary features.” Discuss.