Federalism: Federalism is a type of government in which power is divided into different levels of government.


Vertical form of Power Sharing:-

  1. Central Level
  2. State Level
  3. Local Level

Horizontal form of Power Sharing:-

  1. Legislature
  2. Executive
  3. Judiciary

Federal Government

  • Each level of government has its own powers.
  • Power and responsibilities are shared between national and local levels.
  • The Central Government holds the power to pass laws for all states.
  • Examples: India, Switzerland and Canada.

Unitary Government

  • Only the Central level of government has all powers or most of the power.
  • Power is placed in one central governing system.
  • Any constitutional powers given to the states or regions of the country are dependent on the national government, which can be withdrawn from them at any time.

Features of Federalism

  1. There are two or more levels of government.
  2. Different levels (tears) of the government govern the same citizens but each level has its own jurisdiction (area).
  3. The jurisdiction of the respective government levels (tears) i specified in the constitution.
  4. The Provisions of the constitution cannot be changed by one level of government. Such change requires the consent of both the levels.
  5. The judiciary acts as an umpire if disputes arise between different levels of government.
  6. Sources of revenue for each level of government are clearly specified to ensure its financial autonomy.
  7. The federal system has dual objectives:-
i) to safeguard and promote the unity of the country.

ii) accommodate regional diversity.


Types of Federation

1. Coming Together Federation

  • Many independent states come together to form a bigger unit.
  • All states usually have equal power.
  • Power is equally distributed between the Central and state Levels.
  • Example :- USA, Switzerland, Australia.

2. Holding Together Federation

  • A large country decides to divide its power between the constituent states and the central government.
  • Unequal power distribution between different states.
  • Unequal power distribution between the Central and State Levels.
  • Example :- India, Spain, Belgium.


Q. What makes India a federal Country?

Ans. In the beginning, according to the constitution, there were two tiers of government, The Central Government and The State Government.

But later, a third tier of federalism was added in the form of Panchayats and Municipalities. These three tiers have their own jurisdiction (area of control).


Types of List in the Indian Constitution

1. Union List

  • Includes Nation-related subjects like Defence, Foreign affairs, Banking, Communication, and Currency.
  • Only the Central Government can make laws on these subjects.

2. State List

  • Includes State-related subjects like Police, Trade, Commerce, Agriculture and Irrigation.
  • Only the State Government can make laws on these subjects.

3. Concurrent List

  • Common interest-related subjects like Education, Forest, Trade Unions, Marriage, Adoption and Succession.
  • Both the Central and State Governments can make laws on these subjects.

Residuary Subjects

  • The subjects that are not included in these three lists like space, technology, cyber security, and computer technology, are called Residuary Subjects.
  • Only the Central Government can make laws on these subjects.

Q. Why were Union Territories made? Why did they not make states?

Ans. These are too small to become an independent state but could not be merged with any of the existing states.

These territories do not have powers like a state; the central government has special powers in these areas.


How is Federalism Practiced?

1. Linguistic States

  • Linguistic states are those states which are divided on the basis of language.
  • These are created because different groups of people speak different languages.
  • Some states were created on the basis of culture, ethnicity and geography.

2. Linguistic Policy

  • Our constitution did not give national language status to any one language.
  • Our constitution gives equal rights to every language.
  • Tamil Nadu Incident 1965
  • The use of English was discontinued for official purposes.
  • Non-Hindi-speaking people started opposing the government for this step.
  • This resulted in the Central Government agreeing to continue English along with Hindi for official purposes.

Decentralization

When power is taken away from the Central and State Governments and given to the local government, it is called decentralization.


Q. Why was the need for Decentralization in India?

Ans. India is a very large and diverse country. Because the local government has a better understanding of local areas, that's why Decentralization came to India.


Decentralization in India

1992 - Major steps were taken towards Decentralization

  • Constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections at the local level.
  • Seats are reserved for backward classes (ST, SC, OBC).
  • ⅓ seats are reserved for women at the local level.
  • An independent body (State Election Commission) has been created to conduct Panchayat and Municipal Elections.
  • State Governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies.

Types of Local Government

1. Rural Local Government

2. Urban Local Government


Advantages of Decentralization in India

  • It reduced the burden on the top management.
  • It enables faster decision-making.
  • It helps in better supervision and control.
  • The local people got a voice in democracy.
  • Women got Representation.
  • 36 lakh elected representation in Panchayat and Municipalities.
  • Governments become more deepened.

Limitations or Disadvantages of Decentralization  in India

  • Sometimes Gram Sabha and elections are not held regularly.
  • Most state governments have not transferred significant powers to the local level.
  • It's difficult to coordinate the overall activity.
  • It will require hiring trained and qualified persons.
  • It can create conflict between different managers of different divisions.