Chapter 2 · Question 3
How does India practise federalism?
Answer
Direct Answer
India practises federalism through a Union government, state governments, and local governments. Powers are divided into Union, State, and Concurrent Lists, while language policy, decentralisation, and coalition politics have strengthened federal practice.
Simple Explanation
India practises federalism through three tiers of government, a three-list division of powers, flexible language policy, local government decentralisation, and coalition politics that strengthen the federal balance.
Exam-Ready Structure
India practises federalism through several constitutional and political mechanisms:
• Three-fold distribution of legislative powers: The Constitution divides subjects among:
- Union List (defence, foreign affairs, banking, currency, railways) — only the central government can legislate.
- State List (police, public health, agriculture, irrigation) — state governments have exclusive authority.
- Concurrent List (education, forests, trade unions, marriage) — both the centre and states can legislate, but central law prevails in case of conflict.
- Residuary subjects (those not in any list) go to the centre.
• Three-tier government structure: Since the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments (1992), local self-government — Panchayats in rural areas and Municipalities in urban areas — has been added as a third tier, deepening federalism to the grassroots.
• Language policy: India did not impose Hindi as the sole national language. While Hindi is an official language, states can adopt their own official languages. English continues to be used for official purposes. This flexible policy respects linguistic diversity and avoids language-based conflict.
• Coalition politics and regional parties: Since the 1990s, no single national party has always won a clear majority in the Lok Sabha. Coalition governments at the centre include regional parties, which gives states a greater voice in national decision-making. This is sometimes called "bargaining federalism."
• Special provisions for some states: Certain states (like those in the North-East) have special constitutional provisions recognising their unique cultural and historical circumstances.
India is described as a "holding together federation" (as opposed to a "coming together federation" like the USA), where power tends to be tilted towards the centre but the federal principles are maintained.
Key Points
- India practises federalism through a Union government, state governments, and local governments.
- Powers are divided into Union, State, and Concurrent Lists, while language policy, decentralisation, and coalition politics have strengthened federal practice.