RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Basic Elements of Indian Federal System

Rajasthan Board RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Basic Elements of Indian Federal System

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Text book Questions

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
How many states are there in our country at present?
(a) 29
(b) 30
(c) 35
(d) 14
Answer:
(a) 29

Question 2.
________ has the right to enact on the subjects given in the Union list:
(a) State government
(b) Central government
(c) The Panchayat
(d) The High court
Answer:
(b) Central government

Question 3.
Which article of the constitution makes the provision to declare emergency?
(a) 263
(b) 310
(c) 356
(d) 74
Answer:
(c) 356

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Basic Elements of Indian Federal System

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
How many subjects are there in the state List?
Answer:
There are 66 subjects in the state list.

Question 2.
Which house represents the states in the Parliament?
Answer:
Rajya Sabha.

Question 3.
Which institution settles the disputes between the centre and state?
Answer:
Judiciary settles the disputes between the centre and the states.

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What is single citizenship?
Answer:
Single Citizenship :
According to the constitution the federal system has been adopted in India. In India there is no provision of dual citizenship as it is in, the USA. In India, the constitution has given only single citizenship to all its citizens.
Features :

  1. Every citizen has been given only one or single citizenship equally in the society.
  2. In India nobody can have the citizenship of two countries simultaneously.
  3. Single citizenship provides stability in the society.
  4. Its objective is to strengthen emotional unity.

Question 2.
What do you mean by “The Rule of Law”?
Answer:
To establish the rule of law in the society, an independent judiciary is very essential. The independence of the judiciary is the foundation pillar of a democratic political system. It includes three necessary conditions :

  1. Judiciary must be free from the interference of other departments of the government.
  2. The decisions and orders of judiciary must be free from the interference of the executive and the Legislature.
  3. The judges must have the freedom to deliver justice without any fear or favour.

In this way, by empowering the judiciary, the disputes between the centre and the states can be solved as per the provisions made in the constitution.

Question 3.
To what is Sarkaria commission related?
Answer:
Sarkaria commission was set up in June 1983 by the central government of India. Its charter was to examine the relationship and balance of power between state and central governments in the Country and suggest changes within the framework of constitution of India. The commission was so named as it was headed by justice Ranjit Singh Sarkaria (Chairman of the commission), a retired judge of the supreme court of India.

This three-member commission submitted its report in January 1988 to the central government. The commission recommended, by and large, status quo in the centre-state relations, especially in the areas, related to legislative matters, role of governors and use of Article 356. It suggested a powerful centre, but strong states. It laid emphasis on the establishment of permanent interstate council. It also emphasised that both the centre and state governments should be responsive towards development of the backward regions.

If it is maintained properly in a planned way, there will be an automatic end of the separatist powers. Disputes between the centre and the state should be solved mutually. It justified the demand of more financial aid by the states. To improve the relation between the centre and the states, the commission has recommended economic liberalization and amendments in the constitution.

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Basic Elements of Indian Federal System

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Write a descriptive note on the features of Indian Federal system.
Answer:
The features of Indian Federal System :
The features of Indian federal system are as follows :

i. Supremacy of the constitution :
Indian constitution is the highest law of the country. The Parliament of India and Vidhan Mandal get their powers from the constitution only. The laws which are not according to the constitution are declared illegal by the Supreme Court. The President, Governor, and other persons holding major posts take oath to work according to the constitution.

ii. Clear distribution of governmental power :
The Governmental powers have been distributed between the centre and the states as follows :

  1. The Union list: The list contains 97 subjects on which the centre has the right to enact laws.
  2. The State List: In this list there are 66 subjects on which the state governments have the right to enact laws.
  3. Concurrent List: The list contains 47 subjects on which both the centre and the state governments have the right to enact laws. Residuary powers are vested with the central government.

iii. Impartial and Independent judiciary :
To have an impartial and independent judiciary is essential for the proper functioning of a federal system. Only this can establish the rule of law, and disputes between the centre and the states can be resolved as per the provisions of the constitution. The supreme court is the apex and the only judicial institution to adjudicate in such cases.

iv. The post of the governor :
The governor is an important organ of Indian federal system. The governor is appointed by the centre and works in the state as the representative of the central government.

v. Single citizenship :
Contrary to the provision of traditional federalism, there is a provision of single citizenship in the Indian federalism.

vi. Unitary Dominance :
Indian federal system may be said to be basically a system of federal dominance. It was natural to make the centre powerful to keep the unity and integrity of the country safe and secure. Although some separatist thoughts and Leftist political parties object to this unitary tendency. Infact, the centre has the decisive role through several provisions. In matters of amendment in the constitution, creation of new states, redistribution of boundaries, emergency provisions, economic rights, the status of the centre has been made powerful and decisive.

vii. The Rajya Sabha :
The House representing the states in the Central Legislature : To empower the federalism of the country, only the upper house of the Indian legislature, the Rajya Sabha, has been established as a representative institution of the states.

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Basic Elements of Indian Federal System

Question 2.
Throw light on the new tendencies of Indian federalism.
Answer:
The new tendencies of Indian Union of states/federalism :
Like the dispute regarding the form of Indian political system, these has been more dispute regarding its federal form and this dispute has been continuing since 1950. The main point of the dispute is whether it is federal or not. K.C. Wheare, constitutional expert has been considered as the father of this dispute. It is because he called, “Indian federalism is Quasi-federal.” The aspects which have emerged about it, can be divided into two categories :

  1. Legal and institutional aspect.
  2. Practical aspect.

Our constitution is federal, though there may be difference of opinion regarding the extent of federalism. Just as K.C. Wheare considered it “Quasi-federal”. Granville Austin has called it, “A cooperative federalism”. Dr Bhimrao Ambedkar himself refused to consider it a strictly federal structure. Morris Jones considered it a “federalism of bargain.” But it is true that Indian federalism is not pure federalism in principle, and within different distinguished pluralistic forces, it has been vested with the unitary powers. The centre has been made powerful. In all the areas like Legislative, Executive,Judiciary, and Emergency, the centre has been provided with the final and decisive role.

Practical Aspect :
Practical aspect has rapidly taken the place of the traditional aspect. The main concern of the experts belonging to the practical aspect, has become the study of power: relations between the centre and the states. These experts study federalism keeping in mind its practical aspect. Morris Jones and Ashok Chanda, etc. have done practical study of Indian federal system specifically in the context of planning. Their opinion is that as a result of planning, in India not only its federal system has come to an end but also its parliamentary system seems to have disappeared. Hence, the outlook of the constitution makers was certainly to establish a federal structure but it also has to be accepted that the constitution also has strong unitary features.

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Other Important Questions

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Multiple Choice Questions

Question 1.
The government system adopted on the basis of distribution and the levels of power, is called :
(a) Federalism
(b) Unitary
(c) Centralization
(d) None of these
Answer:
(a) Federalism

Question 2.
The example of the kind of federalism in which “different sovereign units combine into one political unit” is :
(a) Russia
(b) The USA
(c) India
(d) Switzerland
Answer:
(b) The USA

Question 3.
The example of the kind of federalism in which “One big political unit divides itself into different units with a view to providing efficient governance, is :
(a) The USA
(b) Germany
(c) India
(d) China
Answer:
(c) India

Question 4.
At present, how many Union territories are there in India?
(a) 25
(b) 7
(c) 33
(d) 28
Answer:
(b) 7

Question 5.
How many subjects are there in the Union List?
(a) 47
(b) 66
(c) 97
(d) 99
Answer:
(c) 97

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Basic Elements of Indian Federal System

Question 6.
The main feature of Indian federal system is :
(a) Clear distribution of governmental powers
(b) Impartial and independent judiciary
(c) Single citizenship
(d) All these
Answer:
(d) All these

Question 7.
In the Union list, there are 97 subjects, therefore this is the longest list What type of subjects are there in this list ?
(a) Of national importance
(b) Of regional importance
(c) Of national and regional importance
(d) None of these
Answer:
(a) Of national importance

Question 8.
On how many subjects, both the centre and the states can enact laws?
(a) 25
(b) 47
(c) 97
(d) 101
Answer:
(b) 47

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
What do you mean by federalism?
Answer:
Having a government divided into different levels and distribution of governmental power is known as federalism.

Question 2.
What are the types of formation of federal structure?
Answer:
Federal structure is formed by two processes

  1. Different sovereign units combine into one unit.
  2. One big political unit divides itself into different units with a view to providing efficient governance.

Question 3.
Which are the successful federal countries?
Answer:
At present, the USA, Australia, Switzerland, Russia, Canada, and India are considered as the successful federal countries.

Question 4.
Which country is called ‘the immortal union of mortal states’?
Answer:
India is called ‘the immortal union of mortal states’.

Question 5.
Which state of India has its own separate constitution?
Answer:
Jammu and Kashmir has its own separate constitution.

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Basic Elements of Indian Federal System

Question 6.
Mention any two features of Indian federal system.
Answer:

  1. Impartial and independent judiciary.
  2. Supremacy of the constitution.

Question 7.
Mention any two features which make Indian constitution unitary.
Answer:

  1. One constitution
  2. The consent of the states not mandatory for the redistribution of the boundaries of a state.

Question 8.
Under which article have residuary powers been mentioned?
Answer:
Under article 248 of the Indian constitution, the residuary powers have been vested in the centre.

Question 9.
Under which articles the President can declare a state of emergency?
Answer:
Under article 352, 356, and 360, the President can declare a state of emergency.

Question 10.
Under which article can the centre impose President’s rule in the states?
Answer:
Under article 35.

Question 11.
In Rajya Sabha, on what basis the representation of the states is done?
Answer:
In Rajya Sabha, representation of the states is not done on the basis of equality, rather it is done on the basis of population.

Question 12.
Article 312 is related to what?
Answer:
In the article 312, the provisions for the creation of All Indian Public service have been made.

Question 13.
What is the tendency of federalism?
Answer:
Division of governmental powers between the centre and the states, is the tendency of federalism.

Question 14.
By what names is Indian federalism known?
Answer:
Indian federalism is known by the names of ‘Quasi-federal’, and ‘Cooperative federalism’.

Question 15.
When did the Sarkaria commission submit its report and what did it recommend?
Answer:
The Sarkaria commission submitted its report in 1988 in which it suggested about having a powerful centre and strong states.

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Basic Elements of Indian Federal System

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Make the meaning of federal government clear.
Answer:
Meaning of federal government: The word ‘federalism’ originated from the Latin word ‘Foedus’ which means agreement / treaty / pact / contract, etc.

When two or more independent states come together to form a common government through an agreement or pact, and at the same time they remain independent in their internal fields or areas, then this form of government is called federal government. In federal system, there are two types of government: 1. The centre and 2. its Units (states). Indian federal system is inspired by Canada.

According to Dayasi :
“Federal government is the planning whose objective is to establish national unity and adjustment in the rights of the states.”

According to Montesque :
“Federal government is such an agreement (or compromise) by which niany alike states get ready to become the members of a big state.”

Question 2.
Mention any two features of Indian federal system.
Answer:
Features of Indian federal system :
Two features of Indian federal system are as follows

  • Supremacy of constitution :
    Supremacy of the constitution has been established in the Indian federal system. Both, the centre and the states, get their powers from the constitution. Contrary to the federalism of the USA and because of the diversity of India, provision of only one constitution has been made. The laws which are not according to the constitution, can be declared as Null and Void by the Supreme Court. The President, governor, and others take oath to work according to the constitution.
  • Single Citizenship :
    Contrary to the provision of traditional federalism, there is a provision of single citizenship in Indian Union of States. It has been done, keeping in mind the possibility of separatism due to vastness and the pluralism of the country.

Question 3.
Explain the legislative relations of the centre and the states.
Answer:
Legislative relations of centre states :
Legislative relations of Union and federals units (states) work on the basis of the three lists: the union list, the state list, and the concurrent list:

  • The Union List :
    This list contains more important subjects in it than those in the state list. There are 97 subjects in this list. These are the subjects of national importance. It includes security, communication, war, currency, etc.
  • The State List :
    The are 66 subjects in this list. Subjects of state/ regional importance have been included in it. States have the right to enact laws on these subjects but in some conditions or cases, the parliament can also enact laws on the subjects included in this list.
  • The Concurrent List :
    It includes 47 subjects. The centre and states both have the right to enact laws on these subjects. In this list those subjects have been mentioned which are neither absolutely national nor absolutely regional (of any particular region) from the point of view of their importance.

Question 4.
“Indian federal system can basically be considered centralised or of unitary dominance.” Explain the statement
Answer:
Indian federal system can basically be considered centralized or of unitary dominance. To keep the unity and integrity of India safe, the centre has been given a decisive role through several provisions. In matters of amendment in the constitution, creation of states, redistribution of boundaries, emergency provision, economic rights, the status of the centre has been made powerful and decisive. Different examples prove that the centrally empowered Indian Union of States (federalism) has, infact, played a very important role in maintaining the unity and integrity of India.

Question 5.
Mention any three unitary features of the Indian constitution.
Answer:
Unitary features of Indian constitution: Three Unitary features of Indian constitution are as follows :

  • One Constitution :
    There is only one constitution for the centre and the states in India, with the exception of Jammu and Kashmir. The countries like USA and Switzerland have federal system and they have separate constitutions for their states, while India has only one constitution for the governments of the centre and the states.
  • Single Citizenship :
    Contrary to the provision of traditional federalism, there is a provision of single citizenship in the Indian federalism. It has been done keeping in mind the possibility of separatism due to vastness and pluralism of the country.
  • Residuary Powers :
    According to article 248, the constitution has given the residuary powers to the centre. Residuary powers means legislating on such a subject which doesn’t belong to any of the three lists. This provision is inspired by the constitution of Canada.

Question 6.
“In Indian constitution, the distribution of powers is in the favour of the centre.” Clarify the statement.
Answer:
In India, despite having federal system means Union of States System, the division of power is in the favour of the centre. The union list contains more important subjects in it than those in the state list. In these subjects, foreign policy, defence, banking, communication, currency, etc. are main subjects. Besides this, the union list contains 97 subjects in all, whereas the state list contains overall 66 subjects only. Besides this, the concurrent list contains overall 47 subjects.

The central government or the parliament makes laws on the subjects mentioned in the union list and the state legislature make laws on the subjects mentioned in the state list. In certain conditions, the parliament can make laws on the subjects of the state list also. Both the centre and the state governments can make the laws on the subjects of the concurrent list, but in case of conflict between the centre and the state government, the centre will have the final word of its finality. This division makes the centre powerful, which is a chief feature of the unitary government.

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Basic Elements of Indian Federal System

Question 7.
How many types of emergencies are mentioned in the constitution?
Answer:
In normal condition, Indian constitution works on federal basis but during crisis, when the president declares emergency, autonomy of the states comes to an end. In Indian constitution, there is provision of there types of emergencies. These are:

  1. According to article 352, if the president has an apprehension that there is a danger to the security of the country through war, outside attack, or armed rebellion, he can declare an emergency for the whole country or for a particular part of the country.
  2. According to article 356, if the president has an apprehension through the governor of the state or by some other means, that such circumstances have been created in the state that the state cannot be governed as per the provisions of the constitution, he can declare a state of emergency.
  3. According to article 360, if the president has an apprehension that such circumstances have been created in the country or in any of part of it which results in financial instability, he can declare a financial emergency.

Question 8.
“The consent of the states is not mandatory for redistribution of the boundaries.” Explain this unitary feature of the Indian federalism.
Answer:
The parliament of the Indian union can change the boundaries of the states or it may reorganise the states without the consent of the concerned states. Such process may be done by a simple majority. As per the article 7 of the constitution, taking the consent of the concerned state for this is not compulsory. However, it is necessary for the president that he should get the opinion of the concerned state legislature for the recommendation in the Parliament. This obligation is not mandatory. The president may decide the time limit for the concerned states to express their concerns within it. Thus, the states in the Indian union are not as immortal as they are in the USA.

Question 9.
Why has the federal system been adopted in India ? Mention any five reasons.
Answer:
In India, the constitution makers, in place of unitary system, adopted the federal system. Its five main reasons are :

  1. Vast geographical area of India.
  2. Huge population in India.
  3. Only the state governments can successfully solve the regional problems related to land, agriculture, and forests, etc.
  4. Due to diversity of many traditions and customs also, the federal system was adopted.
  5. To maintain peaceful environment also, the federal system was adopted.

Question 10.
State clearly the tendency of Indian federalism.
Answer:
Tendency of Indian federalism: Indian federalism is not a pure federalism in principle. In particular circumstances, it has been vested with unitary powers. The centre has been made powerful. On the issues like, legislative, executive, judicial, and emergency, the centre has been provided with the final and decisive role. All India public services, emergency provisions (Section 352, 356, 360), finance commission, etc. have been the means of centralisation, institutionally.

Another aspect of this federalism, i.e., the Union of States System having the soul of unitary government, has been that the states have been provided proper share and importance through various institutions like National Development Council, Interstate Council (article 262), Regional Council, the Policy Commission, etc. and the share of the states has been ensured within the federal structure.

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Basic Elements of Indian Federal System

RBSE Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Long Answer Type Questions

Question 1.
Explain the positive aspect of federal government system.
Answer:
Positive aspect of federal government system : The main positive points of federal government system are as follows:

  • Increase in national unity :
    Feeling of national unity is strong in this system. National feelings become strong because many states come together and form a union.
  • Suitable for weaker and small states.:
    This system is suitable for weaker and small states. Due to this system, they become powerful.
  • Encouragement to local institutions :
    In this system, emphasis is laid on the development of local institutions. The local institutions are made responsible for providing solutions to the local problems. Thus, the citizens get political education from it and development of local institutions takes place.
  • Practical aspect of the principle of cooperation :
    In this system of government, principle of distribution of power is followed because government powers have been distributed between the central government and its emits (the states). It reduces the feeling of conflict.
  • Lack of autocracy :
    In this system, the constitution is written and rigid. In it, the citizenship and the field of governmental work, is clearly mentioned and the government and the states cannot go beyond their rights because the supreme court has the right to judicial review. Therefore, in this system even the government cannot become autocratic.
  • Emphasis on universal brotherhood :
    In federal system, all the units have operational coordination. All the units are internally independent and on international level the union government (here the central government) is all in all. In this government system, the state (centre) establishes relations with all the foreign nations. Hence, the feeling of universal brotherhood is one of the salient features of federal system. This system encourages feeling of mutual cooperation among nations of the world.

Question 2.
Explain the negative aspect of federal system.
Answer:
Negative aspect of federal system :
The negative features of federal system are as follows

  1. Federal government system is not suitable during crisis because during wars or internal crisis / danger, the union (the central government) government is unable to take any quick decision without the consent of states.
  2. This system is suitable for big countries only, not for small countries.
  3. In federal system, there are two types of governments of same kind and as a result of it, it is a wastage of money.
  4. In federal system, the citizens have dual citizenship. Hence, it poses a danger to the existence of federation (here union).
  5. In this system, there always persists the fear of legislative conflict because sometimes the centre and the state government both enact a law on the same subject. To settle this dispute, they have to go to the judiciary.
  6. This is a rigid governmental system in which amendments cannot be done easily. In this system the constitution is rigid, in which the process of amendment is difficult and rigid, which is different from the process of enactment of general laws. Hence, amendment cannot be made in it as per the requirements.
  7. In this system, the administrative powers are divided. This division of work creates laxity in administrative working. No administrative work is done smoothly due to this distribution of work between the central and state governments.
  8. Federal system of government is not folly successful in international field or policy. In this system, the government (centre) decides international policy under one process. The union has to depend on the cooperation of its units (states). Sometimes state governments come together and oppose the foreign policy of the union (central government). Therefore, sometimes, the union government is not folly successful in formation or implementation of international policy.

On the basis of the above points, it can be concluded that despite of the several flaws in this system, in the modem times, this (federal) system is considered as an efficient and powerful system of government.

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Basic Elements of Indian Federal System

Question 3.
Suggest the measures to remove tension between the centre and the states.
Answer:
Suggestions to remove tension between the centre and the states: Many suggestions
have been given to remove tension between the centre and the states. These are as follows:

  1. The centre should not have the power to provide discretionary grant to the states.
  2. The finance commission should be converted into a permanent body or institution and it should be developed as a counselling centre.
  3. NITI AYOG should be given the status of a constitutional autonomous body.
  4. According to article 263, interstate council has been established which should work as a counsellor to the President of India.
  5. A committee is set up for the counselling of the President for the appointment of governors magistrates, and the members of NITI AYOG.
  6. In administrative, financial, and legislative fields, central control should be relaxed.
  7. All India Services officials, in the service of the state government, should be fully under the control of the state government.
  8. Besides, formation of an Inter state council, a constitutional advisory committee should be set up for each state. This committee should advise the state on the federal questions.
  9. The centre should not interfere on the subjects mentioned in the state list. Implementation and expenditure of the programs related to the subjects of the state list, should be the full responsibility of the state governments.
  10. The centre should be more liberal so that on important issues it takes the states in its confidence. Hence, steps should be taken to make, ‘conference and deliberation system’ more and more effective.
  11. Some such subjects of the concurrent list should be transferred into the state list which increase the rights of states, but without affecting the power of the centre. It is also possible that these subjects can be given to the states with certain conditions.
  12. A permanent but non-political committee should also be set up to solve the economic problems of states, which should make financial adjustments between the centre and the states.
  13. By making amendments in the constitutional provisions related to president and governors, their powers should be increased in such a way that they can work judiciously without any helplessness.

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Basic Elements of Indian Federal System

Question 4.
Describe the unitary features of Indian constitution.
Answer:
Unitary features of Indian constitution:
The unitary features of Indian constitution are as follows

  • One constitution for union and states :
    There is only one constitution for the centre and the states in India, with the exception of Jammu and Kashmir.
  • Residuary Powers :
    According to article 248, the constitution has given the residuary powers to the centre. Residuary powers imply legislating on such a subject which doesn’t belong to any of the three lists.
  • Amendment in the constitution :
    Regarding amendment in the constitution, the centre enjoys more rights than the states. The Parliament can amend a majority of parts in the constitution by a simple majority as per the procedure laid down in the constitution. There are only a few parts in the constitution which require the support of at least more than fifty per cent of die state legislatures for amendment.
  • Division of Power in favour of the centre :
    The division of power is in the favour of the centre. The union list contains 97 subjects in all, whereas the state list contains 66 subjects only. In certain conditions, the Parliament can make laws on the subject of the state list also. This division makes the centre powerful, which is a chief feature of the unitary government.
  • Unitary form during emergency :
    Generally, it is necessary to amend a federal constitution to give it a unitary shape. But it is the speciality of the Indian constitution that it can be changed into unitary form without amendment in emergent period.
  • Unequal representation of the states in the Rajya Sabha :
    In a federal system, the upper house generally represents the states uniformly. The representation of die states in the Rajya Sabha in India is not uniform according to the number of the states, but it is according to the population, which is against the principles of federal system.
  • Single citizenship :
    As per Indian constitution, all the people are the citizens of India only and all have equal rights provided by the constitution.
  • Uniformity in some primary matters :
    The uniformity in some primary matters is the chief feature of the Indian constitution, e.g. there is a provision of uniform civil and criminal law in the whole country. There is one election commission for the whole country. The members of All India Administrative Services manage the administration of the centre and the states, whereas the appointment of these officers is done by the central government.
  • Unitarily organised judicial system :
    The judicial system of the states of the USA and Australia is different from the central judicial system. Butin India, each court works under the Superme court
  • The states don’t have the Right to secede from the union :
    The states of the Indian union don’t have the right to secede from the union. As per the 16th amendment of the constitution, the idea of a state seceding from Indian union is not protected by the right to freedom of speech.
  • The consent of the states not mandatory for Redistribution of the boundaries of a state :
    The parliament of the Indian union can change the boundaries of the states or it may reorganise the states without the consent of the concerned states.
  • No Division in Public Services :
    In the USA, the Union and the states have their own separate administrative officers who are governed by the union and the states separately for their own affairs, but in India, there is no such division between public servants. In the article 312, the provisions for the creation of All India Public Services have been made, but these services are common to both the union and the states.

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science Chapter 19 Basic Elements of Indian Federal System

Question 5.
“The form of Indian constitution is federal but its soul is unitary.” Explain the statement
Answer:
The structure of Indian constitution is federal. The federal feature of the constitution proves this. Indian is a “Union of states”. At present there are 29 states and 7 union territories in India. The governmental powers of the centre and the states have been distributed in three lists :

  1. The Union List
  2. The State List, and
  3. Concurrent List

The constitution is made supreme. This is a written and rigid constitution. The judiciary is independent. In this way, India is a ‘Union of states (federal), but it has complementary unitary features too. The centre state relations show that the centre is more powerful. Governors of states are appointed by the centre who work as the representatives of the centre. There is single citizenship in India. There is unequal representation of the states in Rajya Sabha. Without touching the federal structure, a minimum common administrative level has been created.

For this, the All India Services like, IAS, and IPS have been organised, which are controlled by the centre. In financial matters too, the states are dependent on the centre. At the time of financial crisis, the centre established its absolute control on the financial matters of the state. In this way, all the power or policies are in favour of the centre. The states are compelled to work as per the policies formed by the centre. Hence, the structure of the Indian constitution is federal, but its soul is unitary. Thus India is also called a ‘Quasi-federal state’.

RBSE Solutions for Class 12 Political Science