Summary and Quick Revision

Chapter Summary

This is a concise recap of Chapter 2 - Federalism. Use it for last-minute revision before the Board examination.

1. What is federalism. Federalism is a system in which power is divided between a central authority and constituent units, usually with two levels of government, both enjoying power independent of each other. Belgium became federal in 1993; Sri Lanka remains, in practice, unitary.

2. Key features. Two or more tiers; same citizens, separate jurisdictions; jurisdictions guaranteed by the constitution; fundamental provisions cannot be changed unilaterally; courts as umpire; specified revenue sources; dual objective of unity with diversity, needing mutual trust.

3. Federal vs unitary; two routes. In a unitary system the centre can order subordinate units; in a federal system it cannot. Coming together federations (USA, Switzerland, Australia) have equal, strong States; holding together federations (India, Spain, Belgium) have a stronger Centre and some special-status units.

4. India as a federation. The Constitution declares India a Union of States (it never uses 'federation'). It began two-tier (Union + State) and added a third tier (local government). Powers are divided through the Union, State and Concurrent Lists; residuary subjects go to the Union. Some States have special status (Article 371); Union Territories (Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, Delhi) are run by the Centre.

5. Linguistic States and language policy. States were reorganised on the basis of language, which made India more united. No national language; Hindi is the official language (mother tongue of about 40-44 per cent), with 21 other Scheduled Languages protected; English continued with Hindi after 1965 protests. Hindi is promoted, not imposed.

6. Centre-State relations. Before 1990 the Centre often misused the Constitution to dismiss rival State Governments. After 1990, regional parties and coalition governments created a new culture of power-sharing, backed by a Supreme Court judgement against arbitrary dismissal.

7. Decentralisation (1992). The third tier was strengthened by the 1992 amendment: regular elections, reservation for SC, ST, OBC and at least one-third for women, a State Election Commission, and a State Finance Commission. Rural: Gram Panchayat - Panchayat Samiti - Zilla Parishad; Urban: Municipality (chairperson) and Municipal Corporation (mayor).

Key Terms to Remember

• Federalism: power divided between a central authority and constituent units.
• Jurisdiction: the area over which someone has legal authority, defined by geography or by subjects.
• Coming together federation: independent States join to form a bigger unit (USA, Switzerland, Australia).
• Holding together federation: a large country divides its power among units (India, Spain, Belgium).
• Union List / State List / Concurrent List: the three lists dividing law-making subjects.
• Residuary powers: power to legislate on subjects in no list - held by the Union.
• Coalition government: a government formed by at least two parties with a common programme.
• Decentralisation: giving power from Central and State governments to local government.
• Panchayati raj: the three-tier rural local self-government system.

Quick Revision - Facts and Figures

Quick Revision - One-Line Answers

• Definition of federalism? Division of power between a central authority and constituent units.
• Which system lets the centre order sub-units? Unitary system.
• India is which type of federation? Holding together.
• Who holds residuary powers? The Union Government.
• Which List prevails in a conflict? The Union law (on Concurrent List subjects).
• India's official language? Hindi (no national language).
• How many Scheduled Languages? 22.
• Body that conducts local elections? State Election Commission.
• Three rural tiers? Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zilla Parishad.
• Head of a municipal corporation? Mayor.