1. Nature of Indian federalism
JYOTI
Assistant Professor
Department of Political Science
PGGC-11
Chandigarh

2. Federal Features of the Indian Constitution
Dual Polity
Division of Powers
Union List
State List
Concurrent List
Residuary List
Written Constitution
Rigid Constitution

3. Supremacy of the Constitution
Supremacy of the Judiciary
Bicameral Legislature

4. Unitary Elements in the Indian Constitution
More powers with the centre
Emergency Provisions
Failure of Constitutional machinery in the States
Interference in State’s jurisdiction during normal times
Appointment and removal of State Governors by the President
Creation of new States and changes in the boundaries of old States

5. States have no right to frame or amend their Constitutions
Units have no right to secede from the Union
Easy method of amending the Constitution
Unequal representation to states in the second chamber of Parliament
Single Citizenship
Single Judicial System
All India Administrative Services
Weak economic position of states
Economic and Social Planning
Right of centre to deploy armed forces in states

6. Emergency trends in Indian Federalism
Role of Governor
Misuse of article 356 by the centre government
Creation of new All India Services
The role of Planning Commission
National Development Council
Discretionary Grants
Establishment of central public undertakings
Periodic conferences

7. Law and order and centre’s property
Role of finance commission
Zonal councils
42nd amendment and Indian federal System
Effects of 44th amendment on Indian Federal System
Inter-State council

8. Centre-State Relations
Interference of Union Government in the Legislative Sphere of States:
At the resolution of the Rajya Sabha
At the time of emergency arising to due to war, external aggression and armed rebellion
Due to failure of constitutional machinery in the states
At the request of two or more states
To enforce international treaties, agreements and decision of international conferences

9. Assent of the president on certain state laws is essential
Superior position of central parliament in respect of subjects mentioned in the Concurrent List
Power to establish or abolish Legislative Councils in States
Power to make changes in the boundaries of existing states and create new states

10. Administrative Relations between Union and States
Governors of state are appointed and removed by the President
Limitations on the powers of State Executive
Responsibilities for construction and maintenance of means of communication
Directions regarding protection of railways and waterways
Adjudication of disputes relating to waters of inter-state rivers
Provision regarding entrusting of Union functions to states

11. Protection of federal property in states
At the time of emergency due to war, external aggression and armed rebellion
Failure of constitutional machinery in the states
All India Services
Right of centre to deploy armed forces in the states
Inter-State Council

12. Financial Relations between Union and States
Main sources of revenue of Union Government
Main sources of State revenue
Duties to be levied by the Union but collected and appropriated by the States
Taxes levied and collected by the Union but assigned to States
Taxes levied and collected by the Union but distributed between the Union and States
Grants in lieu of export duties on jute and jute products

13. Grants-in-aid to States
Power of borrowing
Financial emergency
Sarkaria Commission
The main recommendations of the commisssion were as follows:
Rejection of demands for the reduction in powers of the centre
Establishment of Inter-Governmental Council

14. Regarding National Development Council
President Rule in States
Appointment of Governors
Appointment of Judges
Financial Matters
Planning Commission
All India Services
Language
Zonal Councils
Deployment of Armed Forces
Forest Lands