PDF - Introduction to Federalism in India

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Questions and Answers

What was a significant reason for the dissolution of the federation of West Indies in 1962?

Political competition among the units (correct)

Strong central government authority

Cultural homogeneity within the federation

Economic dependence on a single unit

Which of the following countries faced a similar challenge of division like the federation of West Indies?

Brazil

Canada (correct)

India

Singapore

What event in 1973 contributed to the establishment of joint authorities among the independent islands of the Caribbean?

Creation of the Caribbean Disaster Emergency Management Agency

Formation of the United Nations

Treaty of Chiguaramas (correct)

Signing of the Bretton Woods Agreement

What aspect of the Indian federal system is suggested to be a contributing factor to its unity?

Adoption of a federal constitution Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following characteristics did NOT apply to the federation of West Indies?

Cultural unity among member states Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is a feature of the Caribbean Community established in 1973?

Common currency Signup and view all the answers

What contributes to India's identity as a nation despite its diversities?

Adoption of a federal structure Signup and view all the answers

Which statement is true about the Caribbean Community's governance?

Heads of the governments are members of the common executive. Signup and view all the answers

What significant political event occurred in India in 1947 that influenced its current federal structure?

India's independence led to the merging of additional provinces. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following states underwent a name change as a part of the federalism in India?

Mysore changed to Karnataka. Signup and view all the answers

What are some of the factors that have led to the reorganization of state boundaries in India since independence?

Desire for autonomy and distinct cultural identity among communities. Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following statements best describes the term federalism as understood in the context of India?

A division of powers exists between the central government and the states. Signup and view all the answers

Which country experienced a significant breakup in 1989 due to excessive centralization, as mentioned in the context of federalism?

Russia Signup and view all the answers

According to the content, what is one of the issues involved in the relations between the centre and the states in India?

Discrepancies in resource allocation. Signup and view all the answers

What does the reorganization of states often reflect in the context of Indian federalism?

The wishes and historical features of local populations. Signup and view all the answers

In what way did the British colonial administrative organization affect the initial formation of Indian states?

It created provinces for administrative ease without considering local aspirations. Signup and view all the answers

What is the primary reason for establishing a strong central government in India according to the framers of the Constitution?

To address socio-economic problems and promote unity Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following powers are exclusively held by the Union Legislature?

Legislating on matters not mentioned in any List Signup and view all the answers

What geographical challenge did the framers of the Constitution consider when creating a strong central government?

The continental dimensions and diversity of India Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following issues prompted the framers to advocate for a strong central government?

Poverty and illiteracy Signup and view all the answers

What aspect of governance was highlighted by T.T. Krishnamachari regarding the role of the central government?

The importance of integrating princely states Signup and view all the answers

How does the Indian Constitution address the existence of a State?

Through the powers of Parliament Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant concern for the framers of the Indian Constitution at the time of independence?

The integration of diverse regions and princely states Signup and view all the answers

What drove the decision to create provisions for a strong central government in relation to social issues?

The belief in the necessity of coordinated planning and action Signup and view all the answers

What led to the decline of Congress dominance in the mid-1960s?

The rise of opposition parties in several States Signup and view all the answers

Which factor contributed to the States' demand for greater autonomy?

Perceived unnecessary interference from the central government Signup and view all the answers

How did the political context in the 1990s change the landscape of Indian politics?

It initiated an era of coalition politics at the center Signup and view all the answers

What is implied by the term 'mature federalism' mentioned in the context?

Increased cooperation between different political parties Signup and view all the answers

What was a significant trend in State governance during the period discussed?

Rising influence of both national and regional parties Signup and view all the answers

What was a major consequence of opposition parties coming into power in various States?

Increasing calls for greater State powers and autonomy Signup and view all the answers

Which statement correctly reflects the relationship between the center and States during the discussed period?

State governments sought more autonomy due to political shifts Signup and view all the answers

What does the discussion suggest about the role of actual politics in federalism?

It significantly influences the nature of governmental relationships Signup and view all the answers

Which new states were formed from the division of Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar in 2000?

Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand Signup and view all the answers

What issue often requires negotiation and mutual understanding between conflicting states?

Border disputes Signup and view all the answers

Which state was formed by dividing Andhra Pradesh in 2014?

Telangana Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following states is noted for having ongoing demands for separate statehood?

Vidarbha Signup and view all the answers

In the context of federalism, what does the judiciary primarily serve as in disputes?

An arbitration mechanism Signup and view all the answers

What type of conflict is associated with federalism and the interactions among states?

Interstate Conflicts Signup and view all the answers

Which of the following is NOT a reason for the creation of new states in India?

Population increase Signup and view all the answers

Which are the states that were created from the reorganization of the North Eastern region?

Meghalaya, Manipur, Arunachal Pradesh Signup and view all the answers

Study Notes

Introduction to Federalism

The political map of India changed significantly from 1947 to 2017. Changes include state boundaries, state names and the number of states.
In 1947, India was divided into provinces organized by the British for administrative purposes.
Several princely states merged with the newly independent Indian union.
The boundaries of Indian states have been reorganized multiple times since 1947.
Some states changed their names to reflect the wishes of their residents.
The changes to the political map of India illustrate the functioning of federalism in India.

What is Federalism?

Federalism is a system of governance where power is shared between a central government and regional governments.
The USSR disbanded into independent countries because of excessive centralisation and domination of Russia.
Czechoslovakia, Yugoslavia and Pakistan also experienced political divisions.
Canada nearly broke up into English-speaking and French-speaking regions.
The West Indies federation was formed in 1958, but dissolved in 1962 due to political rivalry and economic independence of its member states.
In 1973, independent islands in the West Indies established a common legislature, supreme court, currency and market, known as the Caribbean Community.
The Caribbean Community has shared executive power with member country heads of government.

Federalism in India

India adopted federalism in its constitution in 1947.
India is a geographically diverse country with over 20 major languages and numerous minor languages.
India's continental size and diverse population contributed to the decision to adopt a federal system.
The framers of the constitution believed that a strong central government was needed to prevent disintegration, bring about social change, and address social and economic problems.

Features of the Indian Federal System

The Indian Constitution features a strong central government.
The central government has power over matters relating to defence, foreign affairs, currency, and communication.
States have power over matters relating to education, agriculture, and law and order.
The Constitution outlines three lists that divide power between the central and state governments: the Union List, the State List, and the Concurrent List.
The Union List includes topics like defence, foreign affairs, currency, and communications. (Central power).
The State List includes topics like education, agriculture, and law and order. (State power).
The Concurrent List includes topics where both central and state governments share power.
Residuary powers (not mentioned in the lists) are vested in the Union Legislature.
The Indian constitution establishes a system of checks and balances between the centre and the states to ensure neither has absolute power.

Federalism with a Strong Central Government

The Indian Constitution grants significant power to the central government.
The framers believed that a strong center was essential to unify the country and address socio-economic problems.
India's independence was followed by the integration of over 500 princely states.
T.T. Kriishnamachari, an Indian politician, argued in 1949 that a strong central government was needed for the social and economic well-being of the nation.
The central government plays a crucial role in national planning, resource allocation, and addressing issues such as poverty, illiteracy, and wealth inequality.

Federalism in Practice - Centre-State Relations

The relationship between the center and the states has evolved since independence.
Initially, the states relied heavily on grants from the center and supported central policies for socio-economic development.
From the mid-1960s, demands for greater autonomy from the states emerged.
The shift in political power dynamics from the Congress to various parties, both national and regional, contributed to the call for greater state autonomy.
The rise of coalition governments at the center has also led to a greater say for states in national decision-making.

Formation and Reorganization of States

The Indian government was formed through the merger of provinces and princely states.
Parliament has the authority to create new states, except for the process of carving out new states from existing ones.
In 2000, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, and Bihar were all divided into three new states: Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand respectively.
The process of state reorganization continues, with new states formed and existing ones divided.
The creation and reorganization of states has often been influenced by factors such as linguistic or ethnic identities, administrative efficiency, and political considerations.

Interstate Conflicts

States often engage in disputes with each other.
Such conflicts often stem from border disputes, resource sharing disagreements, and competing claims over territory.
The judiciary acts as the arbitrator in legal disputes between states but conflict frequently has political implications.
Resolution of interstate conflicts often requires negotiations, mutual understanding, and cooperation.

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Description

This quiz explores the evolution of federalism in India from 1947 to 2017, highlighting significant changes in state boundaries, names, and the political structure. Learn about the impact of federalism on India's governance and the historical context surrounding these changes. The quiz will also touch upon federalism in other countries for a comparative perspective.