Comprehensive Practice Set — Polity & Governance: Federalism & Centre-State Relations

How far has the Indian federal framework been successful in accommodating regional and cultural diversities? Highlight the role of asymmetric federalism and suggest measures to make dispute resolution mechanisms more effective.

Explain the relevant constitutional provisions which underline the strong-centre framework adopted by the Constituent Assembly. Which were the factors which led the Assembly members to have such a federal design?

"The role of Finance Commission in upholding Fiscal Federalism is important." Critically analyse. Discuss briefly the terms of reference of 16th Finance Commission.

What changes has the Union Government recently introduced in the domain of Centre-State relations? Suggest measures to be adopted to build the trust between the Centre and the States and for strengthening federalism.

What do you understand by cooperative federalism? Does it exist in India? Discuss.

Discuss the role of the Finance Commission in Centre-State relations in India.

(a) Examine the background of Sarkaria Commission. (b) Examine the major recommendations of Sarkaria Commission.

(a) "Article 263 of Indian Constitution is the Custodian of Inter-State Relations in India." Discuss. (b) "The Inter-State Council is more advisory than effective." Comment.

(a) Explain federal form of Government. (b) Examine the issues in Indian federalism.

(a) Trace out the causes for Inter-State border disputes in India. (b) Discuss the issues and the mechanism to resolve border issues.

How have the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission of India enabled the States to improve their fiscal position?

How far do you think cooperation, competition and confrontation have shaped the nature of federation in India? Cite some recent examples to validate your answer.

Indian Constitution exhibits centralising tendencies to maintain unity and integrity of the nation. Elucidate in the perspective of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897; The Disaster Management Act, 2005 and recently passed Farm Acts.

From the resolution of contentious issues regarding distribution of legislative powers by the courts, 'Principle of Federal Supremacy' and 'Harmonious Construction' have emerged. Explain.

Find out the unitarian features of Indian Federation.

Whether the Supreme Court Judgement (July 2018) can settle the political tussle between the Lt. Governor and elected government of Delhi? Examine.

How is the Finance Commission of India constituted? What do you about the terms of reference of the recently constituted Finance Commission? Discuss.

Prepare a brief note on the dispute between Odisha and Chhattisgarh over the river Mahanadi.

Explain the salient features of the Constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016. Do you think it is efficacious enough 'to remove cascading effect of taxes and provide for common national market for goods and services'?

Discuss the essentials of the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act and anomalies, if any, that have led to recent reported conflicts between the elected representatives and the institution of the Lieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi. Do you think that this will give rise to a new trend in the functioning of the Indian federal politics?

To what extent is Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, bearing marginal note "temporary provision with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir", temporary? Discuss the future prospects of this provision in the context of Indian polity.

Did the Government of India Act, 1935 lay down a federal constitution? Discuss.

The concept of cooperative federalism has been increasingly emphasized in recent years. Highlight the drawbacks in the existing structure and the extent to which cooperative federalism would answer the shortcomings.

Though the federal principle is dominant in our Constitution and that principle is one of its basic features, but it is equally true that federalism under the Indian Constitution leans in favour of a strong Centre, a feature that militates against the concept of strong federalism. Discuss.

Recent directives from Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas are perceived by the 'Nagas' as a threat to override the exceptional status enjoyed by the State. Discuss in light of Article 371A of the Indian Constitution.

Many State Governments further bifurcate geographical administrative areas like Districts and Talukas for better governance. In light of the above, can it also be justified that more number of smaller States would bring in effective governance at State level? Discuss.

Constitutional mechanisms to resolve the inter-state water disputes have failed to address and solve the problems. Is the failure due to structural or process inadequacy or both? Discuss.

Discuss the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission which have been a departure from the previous commissions for strengthening the local government finances.

"India has a federation with a strong centralisation tendency." Discuss.

Examine the evolving pattern of Centre-State financial relations in the context of planned development in India. How far have the recent reforms impacted the fiscal federalism in India?

Explain the significance of the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act. To what extent does it reflect the accommodative spirit of federalism?

Filed here rather than under local government — the 101st Amendment is the GST amendment.

The Sixteenth Finance Commission, in its report for the award period 2026–31, retained the States' share in the divisible pool at 41% while introducing "contribution to GDP" as a new criterion in horizontal devolution. Critically examine the equity implications of this shift for a resource-rich but income-poor State like Odisha.

"The growth of cesses and surcharges has quietly shrunk the divisible pool and hollowed out fiscal federalism." Examine this statement and suggest remedies.

The 16th Finance Commission has emphasised fiscal discipline through deficit caps, an end to off-budget borrowing and caution against unconditional cash transfers. Examine the tension between fiscal prudence prescribed by a constitutional body and the political autonomy of elected State governments.

The next delimitation exercise has been described as a test of India's federal compact. Examine the constitutional provisions governing delimitation and the concerns of States that have successfully stabilised their populations.

"The GST Council is the closest India has come to institutionalised pooled sovereignty." Examine its record in the light of disputes over compensation, voting weightage and the Supreme Court's view on the recommendatory nature of its decisions.

Examine how the design of Centrally Sponsored Schemes affects the expenditure autonomy of States, and suggest reforms.

"Cooperative federalism is giving way to competitive federalism, while collaborative federalism remains an aspiration." Analyse this evolution with special reference to the changing nature of Centre–State relations.

Discuss the role of the Inter-State Council in fostering cooperative federalism in India. What measures can be taken to enhance its effectiveness?

What are Zonal Councils, and how do they contribute to resolving inter-state issues? Evaluate their effectiveness in promoting regional cooperation.

Discuss the key recommendations of the Sarkaria Commission regarding Centre–State relations. How do they compare with the recommendations of the Punchhi Commission?

The Goods and Services Tax aimed to simplify taxation in India but has faced several challenges. Analyse the key issues with its implementation and suggest reforms for better efficiency.

Discuss the nature of inter-state relations in India. How can mechanisms like the Inter-State Council, Zonal Councils and tribunals help in resolving conflicts and promoting cooperative federalism?

Examine the demand for Special Category Status by States after the 14th Finance Commission. Is the demand still constitutionally and fiscally meaningful?

Discuss the constitutional mechanisms for the adjudication of inter-state river water disputes and the reasons for their persistent failure to deliver timely settlements.

Analyse the role of the Finance Commission in strengthening fiscal federalism in India. What are the key challenges in implementing its recommendations?

Examine how the Concurrent List creates federal tensions. What mechanisms exist to resolve these tensions, and what improvements would you suggest?

What are the factors that determine the division of legislative, executive and financial powers between the Union and the States under Articles 245 to 293? How are these powers exercised at both levels?

Differentiate between ‘Coming Together Federations’ and ‘Holding Together Federations’, and elucidate the rationale behind India’s adoption of the latter model.

In light of 30 years of the S.R. Bommai judgment, discuss how the principles established in that case remain crucial in upholding federalism and secularism.

Explore the concept of ‘asymmetrical federalism’ in the Indian context. How do special provisions for certain states strengthen the overall federal structure?

Examine the role of the GST Council in shaping India’s fiscal federalism and its impact on the financial autonomy of the Centre and the States.

The Indian Union is predominantly a unitary state with certain federal characteristics rather than a federal state with unitary features. Enumerate the unitary and federal features of the Constitution.

Examine the differences between cooperative federalism and competitive federalism, and how both can be leveraged to realise the vision of a developed India.

"The Indian Constitution is federal in form but unitary in spirit". Discuss.

What are the changes introduced in the constitutional provisions with respect to the centre-state financial relations by the 101st Amendment Act? Explain.

What are the unitary features of the Indian Constitution?

What is the composition of the Finance Commission? What are its functions?

What are the circumstances under which the Parliament can legislate on the State List subjects?

What is meant by the 'Doctrine of Pith and Substance'? What are its principles?

What are the functions of the Zonal Councils?

What is meant by the Doctrine of 'Colourable Legislation'? What are its propositions?