Which of the following statements about federalism in India is true?
Show answer & explanation
Correct answer: C
Explanation
Correct Answer
The Union has overriding authority
Explanation
The Indian Constitution establishes a federal structure with a strong unitary bias, often described as "quasi-federal." Under this system, while powers are distributed between the Union (Central Government) and the States, the Union holds overriding authority. This is evident in several provisions, such as the Union List having more subjects, Central supremacy over the Concurrent List in case of a conflict, and the Parliament's power to make laws on State subjects during a national emergency.
The other options are incorrect based on the provisions of the Indian Constitution:
The option stating that states have the right to secede is false because Article 1 of the Constitution describes India as a "Union of States," meaning the union is indestructible and no state has the right to break away from it. Note that the Hindi option provided for this text says "राज्यों को संघ से अलग होने का अधिकार नहीं है" (States do not have the right to secede), which is factually true, but it contradicts the provided English text for that option.
The division of powers is not completely rigid. The Constitution provides a flexible framework where the Central government can assume control over state matters under specific circumstances, such as during emergencies or through President's Rule.
States are not completely sovereign entities. Their boundaries can be altered, renamed, or reorganized by the Parliament without their consent under Article 3, making the states destructible unlike the Union.
Key Points
The Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution divides legislative powers into three lists: the Union List, the State List, and the Concurrent List.
Residual powers (subjects not mentioned in any of the three lists) are explicitly vested in the Union Government.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar stated that the Indian federation is a "Union" because it is not the result of an agreement by the states to join, and no state has the freedom to secede from it.
Important Questions and Answers
Question: Which schedule of the Indian Constitution contains the three legislative lists that divide powers between the Union and the States?
Answer: The Seventh Schedule.
Question: What term did political scientist K.C. Wheare use to describe the nature of Indian federalism?
Answer: Quasi-federal (semi-federal).