Explain any two features of federalism.
Explain any two features of federalism.
(1) Two or more levels/tiers of government exist in the country — e.g., India has Union, State, and local (Panchayat/Municipality) governments. (2) Each tier governs the same citizens but has its own specified jurisdiction over legislation, taxation and administration, as laid down in the Constitution (Union, State and Concurrent Lists), so one tier cannot ordinarily encroach on another's powers.
Marking Scheme
- 11 mark for correctly explaining the first feature (e.g., existence of two or more levels of government with jurisdiction over the same citizens).
- 21 mark for correctly explaining a second, distinct feature (e.g., written/rigid Constitution, independent judiciary, or clearly demarcated revenue sources).
- 3Accept any two valid features among: multiple government tiers, specified jurisdiction of each tier, supremacy of the Constitution, independent judiciary, dual objectives of national unity and regional autonomy, and separate sources of revenue.
Hint
Pick two clearly distinct features — e.g., 'two or more levels of government' and 'independent judiciary to resolve disputes between levels' — rather than restating the same idea twice.
Quick Oral Answer
Federalism has two or more levels of government ruling the same citizens with clearly specified powers, and it relies on a written Constitution along with an independent judiciary to settle any disputes between the different levels.
Analysis & Explanation
Federalism divides power between a central authority and constituent units so a single country can accommodate diversity within a democratic framework.
Key features (pick any two)
- Two or more levels/tiers of government govern the same citizens (e.g., Union, State, local bodies in India).
- Each tier has its own specified jurisdiction (legislation, taxation, administration), usually laid down in a written Constitution — Union, State and Concurrent Lists in India.
- Fundamental Constitutional provisions cannot be changed unilaterally by one level alone.
- An independent judiciary interprets the Constitution and resolves centre-state disputes.
Common mistakes
- Writing only "centre and state share power" without a second, distinct feature — CBSE explicitly asks for 'any two' clearly separate points, not one idea repeated.
Common Mistakes
- 1Writing only a definition of federalism instead of two distinct features as specifically asked.
- 2Confusing federalism with decentralisation (the third tier / local government) rather than the Centre-State relationship.
- 3Giving two features that are essentially restatements of the same point (e.g., 'power is shared' and 'there are two governments') instead of two genuinely different features.
Interesting Facts
India is one of the largest federations in the world today, comprising 28 States and 8 Union Territories.
Belgium and Spain adopted federal systems specifically to accommodate ethnic, linguistic and regional diversity, a motivation similar to India's own reasons for choosing federalism in 1950.
India's federalism is sometimes called 'holding-together federalism' because power was devolved from a single, more powerful central authority to the states, unlike the USA's 'coming-together federalism' where independent states united and ceded some power to the centre.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What are the two levels of government commonly cited as a feature of federalism in India?
The Union (Central) Government and the State Governments are the two principal levels; a third tier of local government (Panchayats and Municipalities) was added later through the 73rd and 74th Amendments.
Why is an independent judiciary considered a feature of federalism?
Because disputes between different levels of government over their respective jurisdictions need to be settled by a neutral umpire, and the courts, through judicial review, perform this role by interpreting the Constitution.