Federal System

• Division of Power — Constitution divides power between the center and states, both operate independently. e.g., USA — Central government has all powers; states (if any) derive power from the center. e.g., Britain
• Type of Government — Dual government — Single government, which may create regional governments
• Constitution — Written constitution — May be written (France) or unwritten (Britain)
• Division of Powers — Powers are divided between different levels of government — All powers are held by the national government
• Supremacy of Constitution — May be supreme (e.g., Japan), or not (e.g., Britain) —
• Flexibility of Constitution — Rigid constitution — Rigid (France), flexible (Britain)
• Judiciary — Independent judiciary may or may not be present —
• Legislature — Bicameral — Bicameral (Britain), unicameral (China)

• 1. Dual polity
• 2. Written Constitution
• 3. Division of powers
• 4. Supremacy of Constitution
• 5. Rigid Constitution
• 6. Independent Judiciary
• 7. Bicameralism

• a) using the term ‘Union’
• b) formation, i.e. by way of disintegration
• c) Central govt. more powerful than states

• 1. Single Constitution
• 2. Strong centre
• 3. States not indestructible
• 4. Flexibility of the Constitution
• 5. No equality of state representation
• 6. Emergency provisions
• 7. Single citizenship
• 8. Integrated Judiciary
• 9. All-India Services
• 10. Integrated audit machinery
• 11. Parliament’s authority over state list
• 12. Appointment of Governor
• 13. Integrated Election machinery
• 14. Veto over state bills

1. USA
2. Canada
3. Ireland
4. UK

Answer: Canada

The scheme of federation (strong Centre) was borrowed from Canada.

1. A written and rigid Constitution
2. An independent Judiciary
3. Vesting of residuary powers with Centre
4. Distribution of powers between Centre & States

Answer: Distribution of powers between Centre & States

Distribution of powers between Centre and States is the defining federal feature.

1. Federal Legislature
2. Governor General
3. Provincial Legislature
4. Provincial Governors

Answer: Governor General

Under the GoI Act 1935, residuary powers were vested in the Governor-General.

1. Independence of judiciary is safeguarded
2. Union Legislature has elected representatives from constituent units
3. Union Cabinet can have elected representatives from regional parties
4. Fundamental Rights are enforceable by Courts of Law

Answer: Independence of judiciary is safeguarded

Official key: an independent judiciary that safeguards the division of powers is the essential federal feature. Answer keys differ across sources for this one; confirm before relying on it.

1. There is an independent judiciary in India.
2. Powers have been clearly divided between the Centre and the States.
3. The federating units have been given unequal representation in the Rajya Sabha.
4. It is the result of an agreement among the federating units.

Answer: It is the result of an agreement among the federating units.

Indian federation is not the result of an agreement among states.