Federalism is a system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent units. In India, power is shared between the central government and state governments. The constitution divides legislative powers into three lists - the Union List for national matters, the State List for local matters, and the Concurrent List for common interests. India practices federalism through the creation of linguistic states based on language and culture, as well as through power-sharing arrangements between central and state governments that respect state autonomy. The judiciary also plays a role in resolving disputes over power divisions.

1. CHAPTER - 2
DEMOCRATIC POLITICS

2. What is Federalism?
Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a
central authority and various constituent units of the country.
A federation has two levels of government..
The central government is responsible for subjects of common national interest.
The provincial or state level governments look after day to day administration of
their states.

3. Key
Features of
Federalism
There are two or more levels of government.
Each level of government has its own jurisdiction in specific
matters of legislation, taxation and administration.
The existence and authority of each level of government is
constitutionally guaranteed.
The fundamental provisions of the constitution cannot be
unilaterally changed by one level of government.
Courts can look into disputes arising out of conflict between
different levels of government.
Each level of government is financially autonomous.
The federal system has dual objectives - to safeguard and
promote unity of the country and to accommodate regional
diversity.

4. How are
Federations
Formed?
There are two ways through which federations are formed.
Coming together type of federations - Independent states
come together and form a bigger unit. By pooling their
sovereignty and retaining their identity, they can increase their
security and retaining their identity, they can increase their
security. States are of equal power vis-a-vis federal
government. Example: Australia and United States of
America(USA).
Holding together type of federations - A large country decides
to divide its power between constituent states and the national
government. The central government is more powerful vis-a-
vis states. Example: India Belgium

5. What Makes
India a
Federal
Country?
The India Union is based on the principle of federalism.
The constitution provides a three fold distribution of legislative
powers between the Union and state governments.
Union List : Includes subjects of national importance. A
uniform policy of matters in this list is undertaken, applicable
throughout the country.
State List : Includes subjects of state and local importance.
The state governments have power to make laws on matters
in this list. Example - agriculture and trade.
Concurrent List : Includes subjects of common interest. Both
the tiers of government can make laws on matters in this list.
Example: education and marriage.

6. Power
sharing
arrangement
There are some units of Indian Union which do not have
powers of a state. The Central government has special
powers to run such area. They are called Union Territories.
Example : The capital city of Delhi.
The power sharing arrangement cannot be changed by the
Parliament on its own. It has to be passed by both Houses of
Parliament with at least two third majority. Then it has to be
ratified by the legislature of at least half of the total states.
The judiciary plays an important role, by resolving conflicts
arising out of disputes on power division.
The Union and state governments have the power to raise
resources by levying taxes.

7. How is
Federalism
Practised?
Federalism is a success in India because of clearly laid down
constitutional provisions and nature of democratic politics.
Ways in Which Federalism is Practised in India
Linguistic States
The creation of linguistic states was the first and major test for
democratic politics in India. After 1947, many old states have
vanished and new states have been created. New states have
been formed based on language, culture, ethnicity and
geography. Example - Nagaland and Jharkhand.

8. Language
Policy
There is no national language in India. Hindi is identified as
the official language.
English along with Hindi is used for official purposes.
There are 22 other recognised ‘scheduled languages.
Central government cannot impose Hindi on states where
people speak a different language.

9. Centre-State
relations
Before 1990, the central government undermined the power of
state governments. State governments could not exercise
their rights as autonomous federal units. This affected the
power sharing arrangement of the country.
After 1990, regional political parties began to be powerful.
Coalition governments were formed at the centre by the major
national parties in alliance with several regional parties. This
led to a new culture of power sharing and respect for the
autonomy of state governments.

10. India maps
comparision
comparision
1947 states
and 2020
Linguistic
states

11. 1947 India
Map

12. LINGUISTIC
STATES