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Quick recap: federalism and Centre-State relations on one page

ಕನ್ನಡದಲ್ಲಿ ವಿವರಣೆ

Federalism and Centre-State Relations · Quick recap · Fact-checked on · how we check

Written with AI from the sources listed at the bottom of this page, then fact-checked by a separate AI.

All three parts condensed for quick revision: the nature of Indian federalism and legislative relations, administrative and financial relations with GST and the Finance Commission, and the three emergencies, with an at-a-glance table and eight mixed questions.

Each idea is explained first in Kannada (ಕನ್ನಡ), ending with the English and Hindi exam terms, followed by the same point in exam English. UPSC Prelims is in English or Hindi, so understand it in Kannada and revise it in English.

1ನೇ ವಿಧಿ: ಭಾರತ 'ರಾಜ್ಯಗಳ ಒಕ್ಕೂಟ' — ರಾಜ್ಯಗಳ ಒಪ್ಪಂದದಿಂದ ಬಂದದ್ದಲ್ಲ, ಯಾವ ರಾಜ್ಯವೂ ಬೇರ್ಪಡಲಾಗದು. ಒಕ್ಕೂಟ ಲಕ್ಷಣಗಳು: ಎರಡು ಹಂತದ ಸರ್ಕಾರ, ಲಿಖಿತ ಸರ್ವೋಚ್ಚ ಸಂವಿಧಾನ, ಅಧಿಕಾರ ಹಂಚಿಕೆ, ಕಠಿಣ ತಿದ್ದುಪಡಿ, ಸ್ವತಂತ್ರ ನ್ಯಾಯಾಂಗ, ರಾಜ್ಯಸಭೆ. ಏಕಾತ್ಮಕ ಲಕ್ಷಣಗಳು: ಒಂದೇ ಸಂವಿಧಾನ, ಏಕ ಪೌರತ್ವ, ಏಕೀಕೃತ ನ್ಯಾಯಾಂಗ, ಅಖಿಲ ಭಾರತ ಸೇವೆಗಳು, ನೇಮಕಗೊಂಡ ರಾಜ್ಯಪಾಲರು, 3ನೇ ವಿಧಿ. ಕೆ.ಸಿ. ವೇರ್: 'ಅರೆ-ಒಕ್ಕೂಟ'; ಬೊಮ್ಮಾಯಿ (1994): ಒಕ್ಕೂಟ ವ್ಯವಸ್ಥೆ ಮೂಲ ರಚನೆಯ ಭಾಗ. ಅವಿಭಕ್ತ ಕುಟುಂಬದಲ್ಲಿ ಕೋಣೆಗಳು ಬೇರೆ ಇದ್ದರೂ ಮನೆ ಒಂದೇ ಎಂಬಂತೆ. (→ English: federalism · हिन्दी: संघवाद)

In exam EnglishArticle 1 calls India a 'Union of States': the federation did not arise from an agreement among States, and no State may leave it. India has the main federal features (two levels of government, a written and supreme Constitution, division of powers, rigid amendment of federal provisions, an independent judiciary and a Council of States), but also strong unitary ones: a single Constitution and citizenship, an integrated judiciary, all-India services, a Governor appointed by the President and Parliament's power under Article 3 to redraw States. K.C. Wheare called the Constitution 'quasi-federal', and in S.R. Bommai (1994) the Supreme Court held federalism to be part of the basic structure.

ಶಾಸನ ಸಂಬಂಧಗಳು (245–254) ಏಳನೇ ಅನುಸೂಚಿಯ ಮೂರು ಪಟ್ಟಿಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ. ಸಂಸತ್ತು ದೇಶದಾದ್ಯಂತ, ವಿದೇಶದಲ್ಲೂ ಅನ್ವಯಿಸುವ ಕಾನೂನು; ರಾಜ್ಯ ಶಾಸಕಾಂಗಗಳು ತಮ್ಮ ರಾಜ್ಯಕ್ಕೆ. ಸಂಘರ್ಷದಲ್ಲಿ ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಪಟ್ಟಿ ಮೇಲು; ಉಳಿಕೆ ಅಧಿಕಾರಗಳು ಸಂಸತ್ತಿಗೆ (248). 42ನೇ ತಿದ್ದುಪಡಿ (1976): ಶಿಕ್ಷಣ, ಅರಣ್ಯ, ತೂಕ-ಅಳತೆ, ವನ್ಯಪ್ರಾಣಿ-ಪಕ್ಷಿ, ನ್ಯಾಯಾಡಳಿತ ಸಮವರ್ತಿ ಪಟ್ಟಿಗೆ. ಸಮವರ್ತಿ ವಿಷಯಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಕೇಂದ್ರ ಕಾನೂನು ಗೆಲ್ಲುತ್ತದೆ (254) — ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಪತಿ ಒಪ್ಪಿಗೆ ಪಡೆದ ರಾಜ್ಯ ಕಾನೂನು ಹೊರತು. ರಾಜ್ಯ ವಿಷಯಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ಸಂಸತ್ತು: 249, 250, 252, 253. ನ್ಯಾಯಾಲಯಗಳು 'ಸಾರ' ಸಿದ್ಧಾಂತ ಬಳಸುತ್ತವೆ, ಮರೆಮಾಚಿದ ಕಾನೂನು ರದ್ದು. ಮನೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಪ್ರತಿಯೊಬ್ಬರ ಕಪಾಟು ಅವರದ್ದು, ದೊಡ್ಡ ಕಪಾಟಿನ ಬೀಗದಕೈ ಹಿರಿಯರ ಬಳಿ ಎಂಬಂತೆ. (→ English: Union List · हिन्दी: संघ सूची)

In exam EnglishLegislative relations (Articles 245 to 254) rest on the Seventh Schedule's three lists. Parliament legislates for the whole or any part of India, and its laws may operate outside India; State legislatures legislate for their own State. The Union List prevails over the other two in case of overlap, and residuary powers lie with Parliament (Article 248). The 42nd Amendment (1976) moved education, forests, weights and measures, wild animals and birds, and administration of justice to the Concurrent List. On Concurrent subjects a Union law prevails (Article 254), unless an earlier Union law is overridden by a State law that received the President's assent. Parliament may legislate on State subjects through Articles 249 (Rajya Sabha resolution), 250 (emergency), 252 (consent of two or more States) and 253 (treaties). Courts read the lists using pith and substance and strike down colourable legislation.

ಆಡಳಿತ ಸಂಬಂಧಗಳೂ ಅದೇ ಮಾದರಿ. ರಾಜ್ಯಗಳು ಕೇಂದ್ರದ ಕಾನೂನು ಜಾರಿಗೊಳಿಸಬೇಕು, ಅಡ್ಡಿಯಾಗಬಾರದು (256–257); ಕೇಂದ್ರದ ನಿರ್ದೇಶನ ಕಡೆಗಣಿಸಿದರೆ ಸಾಂವಿಧಾನಿಕ ಯಂತ್ರ ವಿಫಲವಾಗಿದೆ ಎನ್ನಬಹುದು (365). ಕೆಲಸ ವಹಿಸುವಿಕೆ ಎರಡೂ ದಿಕ್ಕಿನಲ್ಲಿ (258, 258A); ಅಖಿಲ ಭಾರತ ಸೇವೆಗಳು (312) ಎರಡೂ ಹಂತ ಬೆಸೆಯುತ್ತವೆ. ನೀರಿನ ವಿವಾದಗಳು 262, 1956ರ ಕಾಯ್ದೆಯಡಿ ನ್ಯಾಯಮಂಡಳಿಗೆ, ನ್ಯಾಯಾಲಯಕ್ಕಲ್ಲ. ಅಂತರರಾಜ್ಯ ಮಂಡಳಿ (263) ಸರ್ಕಾರಿಯಾ ಸಲಹೆಯಂತೆ 1990ರಲ್ಲಿ, ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷರು ಪ್ರಧಾನಿ; ಐದು ವಲಯ ಮಂಡಳಿಗಳು 1956ರ ಕಾಯ್ದೆ. 301–307: ದೇಶವೆಲ್ಲ ಒಂದೇ ಮಾರುಕಟ್ಟೆ — ಹೊರರಾಜ್ಯದ ಸರಕಿಗೆ ತಾರತಮ್ಯ ಸಲ್ಲದು, ವ್ಯಾಪಾರ ನಿರ್ಬಂಧಕ್ಕೆ ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಪತಿಯ ಮುಂಚಿತ ಅನುಮತಿ. ಒಂದೇ ರೈಲಿಗೆ ಹಲವು ಬೋಗಿ, ಎಂಜಿನ್ ಒಂದೇ ಎಂಬಂತೆ. (→ English: Inter-State Council · हिन्दी: अंतरराज्य परिषद)

In exam EnglishAdministrative relations follow the same pattern. States must carry out Union laws and not obstruct the Union (Articles 256–257), and ignoring a Union direction can be treated as a breakdown of constitutional machinery (Article 365). Functions can be delegated both ways (Articles 258, 258A), and the all-India services under Article 312 link the two levels. Water disputes go to tribunals under Article 262 and the 1956 Act, with courts barred. The Inter-State Council under Article 263 was set up in 1990 on the Sarkaria Commission's advice and is chaired by the Prime Minister; the five Zonal Councils come from the States Reorganisation Act, 1956. Articles 301 to 307 keep India one market: a State may not discriminate against goods from other States, and its restrictions on trade need the President's previous sanction.

ಆರ್ಥಿಕ ಸಂಬಂಧಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಹೆಚ್ಚಿನ ಆದಾಯವನ್ನು ಕೇಂದ್ರ ವಸೂಲಿಸಿ ಹಂಚುತ್ತದೆ. 270 (80ನೇ ತಿದ್ದುಪಡಿ, 2000): ಕೇಂದ್ರದ ಎಲ್ಲ ತೆರಿಗೆಗಳು ಸಾಮಾನ್ಯ ಮಡಕೆ — ಸೆಸ್, ಸರ್‌ಚಾರ್ಜ್ (271) ಹೊರತು. ಅನುದಾನಗಳು: 275 (ಹಣಕಾಸು ಆಯೋಗದ ಸಲಹೆಯಂತೆ), 282 (ವಿವೇಚನೆ). ರಾಜ್ಯ ಭಾರತದೊಳಗೆ ಮಾತ್ರ ಸಾಲ; ಕೇಂದ್ರಕ್ಕೆ ಬಾಕಿ ಇದ್ದರೆ ಕೇಂದ್ರದ ಒಪ್ಪಿಗೆಯಿಂದ ಮಾತ್ರ (293). ಹಣಕಾಸು ಆಯೋಗ (280: ಅಧ್ಯಕ್ಷ + ನಾಲ್ವರು, ಐದು ವರ್ಷಕ್ಕೊಮ್ಮೆ) ಲಂಬ, ಅಡ್ಡ ಹಂಚಿಕೆ ಶಿಫಾರಸು; 15ನೇ ಆಯೋಗ 2021–26ಕ್ಕೆ 41%. 101ನೇ ತಿದ್ದುಪಡಿ (2016) ಜಿಎಸ್ಟಿ: 246A ಎರಡೂ ಹಂತಗಳಿಗೆ ಅಧಿಕಾರ; ಜಿಎಸ್ಟಿ ಮಂಡಳಿ (279A) ತೂಕದ ಮತಗಳ 3/4; ಮೋಹಿತ್ ಮಿನರಲ್ಸ್ (2022): ಶಿಫಾರಸು ಬಂಧಿಸದು. ಊರ ಜಾತ್ರೆಯ ವಂತಿಗೆಯನ್ನು ಹಿರಿಯರು ಸಂಗ್ರಹಿಸಿ ಪ್ರತಿ ಬೀದಿಗೆ ಪಾಲು ಕೊಡುವಂತೆ. (→ English: Finance Commission · हिन्दी: वित्त आयोग)

In exam EnglishIn financial relations the Union collects most revenue and shares it. Under Article 270, as rewritten by the 80th Amendment (2000), all Union taxes form a divisible pool, except cesses for specific purposes and surcharges kept by the Union under Article 271. Grants come under Article 275 (statutory, on the Finance Commission's advice) and Article 282 (discretionary). A State may borrow only within India and, while it owes the Union money, only with the Union's consent (Article 293). The Finance Commission (Article 280: a chairman and four members, every five years) recommends vertical and horizontal sharing; the Fifteenth recommended 41 per cent for the States for 2021–26. The 101st Amendment (2016) brought GST: Article 246A gives both levels concurrent power, and the GST Council (Article 279A) decides by three-fourths of weighted votes; Mohit Minerals (2022) held its recommendations persuasive, not binding.

ತುರ್ತು ಪರಿಸ್ಥಿತಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ತಕ್ಕಡಿ ಕೇಂದ್ರದ ಕಡೆ ತೀವ್ರವಾಗಿ ವಾಲುತ್ತದೆ. ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರೀಯ (352): ಯುದ್ಧ, ಆಕ್ರಮಣ, ಸಶಸ್ತ್ರ ಬಂಡಾಯ; ಸಂಪುಟದ ಲಿಖಿತ ನಿರ್ಧಾರ; ಒಂದು ತಿಂಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ವಿಶೇಷ ಬಹುಮತ; ಆರು ತಿಂಗಳಿಗೊಮ್ಮೆ; ಲೋಕಸಭೆಯ ನಿರ್ಣಯದಿಂದ ಅಂತ್ಯ. ರಾಜ್ಯ ವಿಷಯಗಳ ಮೇಲೆ ಕಾನೂನು, ನಿರ್ದೇಶನ; ಯುದ್ಧ/ಆಕ್ರಮಣವಾದರೆ 19 ಅಮಾನತು (358); 359ರಡಿ ಇತರ ಹಕ್ಕುಗಳು — 20, 21 ಎಂದಿಗೂ ಇಲ್ಲ. 1962, 1971, 1975. ರಾಷ್ಟ್ರಪತಿ ಆಳ್ವಿಕೆ (356): ಎರಡು ತಿಂಗಳಲ್ಲಿ ಸರಳ ಬಹುಮತ, ಗರಿಷ್ಠ ಮೂರು ವರ್ಷ; ಬೊಮ್ಮಾಯಿ (1994) ನಂತರ ನ್ಯಾಯಾಂಗ ಪರಾಮರ್ಶೆ, ವಿಧಾನಸಭೆಯಲ್ಲಿ ಮತದಾನ. ಆರ್ಥಿಕ (360): ಎಂದೂ ಘೋಷಿಸಿಲ್ಲ. ಬಿರುಗಾಳಿಯಲ್ಲಿ ದೋಣಿಯ ನಾವಿಕನ ಮಾತೇ ಅಂತಿಮ, ದಡ ಸೇರಿದ ಮೇಲೆ ಮತ್ತೆ ಎಲ್ಲರ ಮಾತು ಎಂಬಂತೆ. (→ English: Emergency · हिन्दी: आपात)

In exam EnglishIn an Emergency the balance tilts sharply to the Union. A national emergency (Article 352) needs war, external aggression or armed rebellion, the Cabinet's written decision and approval by a special majority within one month; it renews every six months and can be ended by a Lok Sabha resolution. It lets the Union direct States and legislate on State subjects, suspends Article 19 when declared for war or external aggression (Article 358), and allows other rights to be suspended under Article 359, but never Articles 20 and 21. It was proclaimed in 1962, 1971 and 1975. President's Rule (Article 356) needs approval within two months by a simple majority and is capped at three years; after S.R. Bommai (1994) it is open to judicial review and majority is tested in the assembly. A financial emergency (Article 360) has never been proclaimed.
Federalism at a glance
AreaKey ArticlesRemember
Nature1, 3, 368(2) proviso'Union of States'; quasi-federal; federalism is basic structure (Bommai, 1994)
Legislative relations245–254, Seventh ScheduleUnion List prevails; residuary with Parliament (248); 42nd Amendment moved five subjects to Concurrent List
Administrative relations256–263, 312, 365Union directions binding; water tribunals bar courts; Inter-State Council 1990
Financial relations264–293, 280Divisible pool excludes cesses and surcharges; Finance Commission every five years
GST246A, 269A, 279A101st Amendment 2016; three-fourths weighted vote; recommendations not binding (2022)
Emergencies352–360National: special majority in one month; President's Rule: maximum three years; financial: never used

Exam traps

Recap

Practice questions

Q1. Consider the following statements:
1. Article 1 describes India as a 'Union of States'.
2. Under Article 3, Parliament can change the boundaries of a State only with the consent of that State's legislature.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer

Answer: A. 1 only

Statement 1 is correct. Statement 2 is wrong: Article 3 requires only that the State's views be sought; Parliament is not bound by them and acts by ordinary law. So '2 only', 'both' and 'neither' are wrong.

Q2. Which one of the following subjects was NOT moved from the State List to the Concurrent List by the 42nd Amendment?

  1. Education
  2. Forests
  3. Police
  4. Weights and measures
Show answer

Answer: C. Police

Police remains in the State List. Education, forests and weights and measures were among the five subjects the 42nd Amendment (1976) moved to the Concurrent List, along with wild animals and birds and administration of justice.

Q3. Under Article 249, Parliament may legislate on a State List subject in the national interest if:

  1. The Rajya Sabha so resolves by two-thirds of members present and voting
  2. The Lok Sabha so resolves by a special majority
  3. Two or more State legislatures request it
  4. The Inter-State Council recommends it
Show answer

Answer: A. The Rajya Sabha so resolves by two-thirds of members present and voting

Article 249 depends on a Rajya Sabha resolution by two-thirds of members present and voting. The Lok Sabha has no role in it; a request by two or more States is the route under Article 252; and the Inter-State Council has no such power.

Q4. Consider the following statements:
1. Surcharges under Article 271 are shared with the States on the Finance Commission's recommendation.
2. A State that owes money to the Union needs the Union's consent to raise a new loan.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer

Answer: B. 2 only

Statement 1 is wrong: surcharges under Article 271 go wholly to the Union and are outside the divisible pool. Statement 2 is correct under Article 293(3). So '1 only', 'both' and 'neither' are wrong.

Q5. Match List I with List II:
List I (Body)
A. Finance Commission
B. GST Council
C. Inter-State Council
D. Zonal Councils
List II (Basis)
1. Article 279A
2. Article 263
3. States Reorganisation Act, 1956
4. Article 280
Select the correct answer using the code given below:

  1. A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3
  2. A-1, B-4, C-2, D-3
  3. A-4, B-1, C-3, D-2
  4. A-4, B-2, C-1, D-3
Show answer

Answer: A. A-4, B-1, C-2, D-3

The Finance Commission comes from Article 280, the GST Council from Article 279A, the Inter-State Council from Article 263 and the Zonal Councils from the 1956 Act. The second code swaps A and B, the third swaps C and D, and the fourth swaps B and C.

Q6. Consider the following statements about a national emergency:
1. It can be proclaimed only on the written decision of the Union Cabinet.
2. It ends automatically after one year unless renewed by a constitutional amendment.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only
  2. 2 only
  3. Both 1 and 2
  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer

Answer: A. 1 only

Statement 1 is correct after the 44th Amendment. Statement 2 is wrong: an approved proclamation runs for six months at a time and can be renewed indefinitely by fresh resolutions of both Houses, with no amendment needed. So '2 only', 'both' and 'neither' are wrong.

Q7. In S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994), the Supreme Court held that:

  1. A proclamation under Article 356 is open to judicial review
  2. The President's satisfaction under Article 356 is final and cannot be questioned
  3. The Governor's report is conclusive proof of loss of majority
  4. GST Council recommendations bind the States
Show answer

Answer: A. A proclamation under Article 356 is open to judicial review

Bommai held Article 356 proclamations reviewable and said majority must be tested in the assembly. It rejected the idea that the President's satisfaction is beyond question and that the Governor's report settles majority; the GST point concerns Mohit Minerals (2022), which held the recommendations not binding.

Q8. Which one of the following emergencies has never been proclaimed in India?

  1. National emergency on the ground of external aggression
  2. National emergency on the ground of internal disturbance
  3. President's Rule in a State
  4. Financial emergency
Show answer

Answer: D. Financial emergency

Article 360 has never been invoked. External aggression was the ground in 1962 and 1971, internal disturbance in 1975, and President's Rule has been used many times since Punjab in 1951.

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