Complete NCERT Notes for CBSE Board Students
India is a vast country with great diversity. People living in different regions speak different languages, follow different cultures and have different traditions. Governing such a diverse country from a single center would be difficult. Therefore, powers are divided among different levels of government.
This system of dividing powers among different levels of government is known as Federalism.
Federalism allows different levels of government to work independently while remaining united as one nation.
Federalism is a system of government in which powers are divided between a central authority and various regional governments so that each level of government can function independently in its own sphere.
In India, powers are shared among:
Thus, India follows a federal system.
A federal system has certain important characteristics.
In a federal country, there are multiple levels of government.
Each level governs the same citizens but has different responsibilities.
The Supreme Court of India acts as the final authority in constitutional disputes.
Federal countries can be formed in two ways.
In this type, independent states voluntarily come together to form a larger nation. All states usually enjoy equal powers.
In this type, a large country divides powers between the central government and states. Usually, the central government possesses greater powers than the states.
India is an example of a "Holding Together Federation".
The Indian Constitution divides powers between the Centre and the States. Different governments have separate responsibilities and authority.
Although India is described as a "Union of States", it possesses all the essential features of federalism.
The Constitution divides powers into three lists.
The Union List contains subjects of national importance. Only the Central Government can make laws on these subjects.
At present, the Union List contains around 100 subjects.
The State List contains subjects of regional and local importance. Only State Governments can make laws on these subjects.
The State List contains around 61 subjects.
Both the Central and State Governments can make laws on these subjects.
The Concurrent List contains around 52 subjects.
If laws made by the Centre and States contradict each other, the law made by the Central Government prevails.
Subjects which are not mentioned in any of the three lists are called Residuary Subjects.
These powers belong to the Central Government.
Federal provisions cannot be changed by one government alone.
Amendments require:
This process protects the federal structure and prevents arbitrary changes.
The judiciary safeguards federalism and ensures that constitutional provisions are followed properly.
The Supreme Court of India acts as the final authority in constitutional disputes.
| List | Law Making Authority | Examples |
|---|---|---|
| Union List | Central Government | Defence, Currency, Banking |
| State List | State Governments | Police, Agriculture, Public Health |
| Concurrent List | Both Centre and States | Education, Marriage, Forests |
Federalism became stronger when powers were further distributed to local governments. This process of transferring powers from higher levels of government to lower levels is known as Decentralisation.
Local self-government in rural areas functions through the Panchayati Raj System.
The Gram Sabha consists of all adult members living in a village.
Members of the Gram Panchayat are elected directly by the villagers. Its head is called the Sarpanch or Pradhan.
The Panchayat Samiti works at the Block or Tehsil level and coordinates the activities of several Gram Panchayats.
The Zila Parishad functions at the district level and coordinates the activities of Panchayat Samitis.
Urban local bodies govern towns and cities.
Municipal Corporations are responsible for the administration of large cities and are headed by a Mayor.
Municipal Councils govern smaller towns and perform similar functions at a smaller scale.
In 1992, the Indian Constitution was amended through the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments.
These amendments provided constitutional recognition to local self-government institutions and strengthened democracy at the grassroots level.
After independence, many people demanded states based on language.
The States Reorganisation Act, 1956 reorganized states mainly on linguistic lines.
No. Instead, they strengthened national unity.
People developed loyalty toward both their state and the nation. Thus, recognition of diversity strengthened democracy.
India does not have a single national language.
India's language policy promotes unity while respecting linguistic diversity.
Initially, the Central Government was very powerful because one political party dominated both the Centre and most States.
This led to centralization of power.
These developments strengthened democracy and cooperative federalism in India.
Federalism has played an important role in strengthening democracy and promoting unity in India.
| Federal System | Unitary System |
|---|---|
| Power is divided between Centre and States. | Power remains with one central authority. |
| Constitution is supreme. | Central Government is supreme. |
| States enjoy autonomy. | States have limited powers. |
| Independent judiciary exists. | Judiciary may not be independent. |
| Suitable for diverse countries. | Suitable for homogeneous countries. |
Federalism
│
├── Features
│ ├─ Multiple Levels of Government
│ ├─ Division of Powers
│ ├─ Independent Judiciary
│ └─ Separate Sources of Revenue
│
├── Types
│ ├─ Coming Together Federation
│ └─ Holding Together Federation
│
├── Division of Powers
│ ├─ Union List
│ ├─ State List
│ └─ Concurrent List
│
├── Decentralisation
│ ├─ Panchayati Raj
│ └─ Municipalities
│
└── Outcomes
├─ Unity in Diversity
├─ Better Governance
├─ People's Participation
└─ Strong Democracy
Remember the sequence:
Union List → State List → Concurrent List
and
Gram Sabha → Gram Panchayat → Panchayat Samiti → Zila Parishad
These topics are frequently asked in CBSE Board examinations.
Federalism is a system of government in which powers are divided between the Central Government and State Governments so that each level can function independently.
The main features are multiple levels of government, constitutional division of powers, supremacy of the Constitution, independent judiciary and separate sources of revenue.
The three lists are Union List, State List and Concurrent List.
Decentralisation means transferring powers from higher levels of government to local governments.
Panchayati Raj is the system of local self-government in rural areas.