Indian Constitution: Federal or Unitary System?

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Questions and Answers

What is the nature of the Constitution of India?

  • Completely federal
  • Completely unitary
  • Federal with certain unitary features (correct)
  • Quasi-federal with some unitary features

What was the majority view of the Supreme Court judges in Kesavananda Bharati v. State of Kerala?

  • The Constitution is quasi-federal in nature
  • The Constitution is completely federal
  • The federal features form the basic structure of the Indian Constitution (correct)
  • The Constitution has a unitary form of government

What is essential to determine the nature of the Indian Constitution?

  • To study the Constitution's preamble
  • To understand the federal system of the United States
  • To analyze the contents of the Constitution (correct)
  • To know the number of states in India

What are the essential features of a Federal Polity or System?

<p>All of the above (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Supreme Court in the Indian political system?

<p>To guard against the violation of the constitutional provisions (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

Can the States secede from the Union in India?

<p>No, as they are not competent to do so (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the nature of the distribution of powers between the Union and State Governments?

<p>There is a division of legislative and executive powers (B)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the role of the Supreme Court in interpreting the Constitution?

<p>It finally interprets the provisions of the Constitution (A)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the relationship between the Union and State Governments in India?

<p>Both the Union and State Governments derive their authority from the Constitution (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

What is the significance of the Constitution in the Indian political system?

<p>It is the supreme law of the land (C)</p> Signup and view all the answers

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Study Notes

Characteristics of the Indian Constitution

  • The Indian Constitution is a blend of federal and unitary features, with federal features forming the basic structure.
  • The Supreme Court has upheld the federal nature of the Constitution in the Kesavananda Bharati case (AIR 1973 SC 1461).

Essentials of a Federal Polity

  • Dual Government: Both the Union and State Governments derive their authority from the Constitution.
  • Distribution of Powers: Legislative and executive powers are divided between the Union and State Governments.
  • Supremacy of the Constitution: The Constitution is the supreme law of the land.
  • Independence of Judiciary: The judiciary is independent, with the Supreme Court at its head.
  • Written Constitution: The Indian Constitution is a written document.
  • Rigid Procedure for Amendment: The Constitution can only be amended through a rigid procedure.

Key Features of the Indian Constitution

  • The Union and State Governments, and their respective organs, derive their authority from the Constitution.
  • States cannot secede from the Union.
  • The Supreme Court has the power to decide disputes between the Union and States, or between States.
  • The Supreme Court has the final authority to interpret the provisions of the Constitution.

Debate on the Nature of the Indian Constitution

  • There is ongoing debate among scholars and jurists about whether the Indian Constitution is federal, unitary, or quasi-federal in nature.
  • The question ultimately depends on one's philosophical perspective and value judgement.

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