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Federalism and Centre-State Relations

Explanation of Indian Federal System, Centre-State Relations, Legislative Administrative Financial Relations

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๐Ÿ›๏ธ Indian Federal System - Indian Federal System

"Quasi-Federal" or "Federal with Unitary Bias" - K.C. Wheare

๐Ÿ“Š Federal Structure - SVG
๐Ÿ›๏ธ Indian Federal System - "Quasi-Federal" ๐Ÿ“œ CONSTITUTION OF INDIA โœ… Federal Features 1. Written Constitution 2. Rigid Constitution (Art.368) 3. Division of Powers (7th Schedule) 4. Independent Judiciary 5. Bicameralism (Parliament) 6. Supremacy of Constitution 7. Dual Polity (Centre & States) โš ๏ธ Unitary Features 1. Strong Center 2. Single Constitution 3. Single Citizenship 4. Integrated Judiciary 5. All India Services (IAS, IPS, IFS) 6. Emergency Provisions 7. Governor Appointment by Centre ๐Ÿ“‹ 7th Schedule - Division of Powers (Art.246) ๐Ÿ“— Union List (List I) โ€ข 97 โ†’ 100 Subjects โ€ข Defence, Foreign Affairs โ€ข Only Parliament can make ๐Ÿ“™ State List (List II) โ€ข 66 โ†’ 61 Subjects โ€ข Police, Public Health โ€ข State Legislature makes ๐Ÿ“• Concurrent List (III) โ€ข 47 โ†’ 52 Subjects โ€ข Education, Forest, Marriage โ€ข Both (Centre Prevails)
๐Ÿ“‹ 7th Schedule - Three Lists Details
List Original Present Key Subjects Law Making
Union List (I) 97 100 Defence, Foreign Affairs, Banking, Railways, Currency Parliament Only
State List (II) 66 61 Police, Public Health, Agriculture, Land, Irrigation State Legislature
Concurrent List (III) 47 52 Education, Forest, Marriage, Adoption, Trade Unions Both (Centre Prevails)
๐Ÿ“œ Important Articles - Federal Structure
Art.1 India - Union of States
Art. 246 Distribution of Legislative Powers (7th Schedule)
Art. 248 Residuary Powers (Parliament)
Art. 249 Parliament can legislate on State List (National Interest)
Art. 250 Parliament can legislate during emergency
Art. 252 2 or more States request Parliament to legislate
Art. 253 Parliament can legislate for international agreements
Art. 254 Center Law prevails over State Law (Concurrent)

๐Ÿค Centre-State Relations (Part XI & XII)

Explanation of legislative, executive and fiscal relations

๐Ÿ“Š 3 Types of Relations - SVG
๐Ÿค Centre-State Relations - 3 Types CENTRE-STATE RELATIONS ๐Ÿ“œ Legislative Relations (Part XI, Ch.I - Art.245-255) โ€ข Art.245: Territorial Extent โ€ข Art.246: 7th Schedule โ€ข Art.248: Residuary Powers โ€ข Art.249: National Interest โ€ข Art.250: During Emergency โ€ข Art.252: State Request โ€ข Art.253: International Treaty โ€ข Art.254: Repugnancy Rule โš™๏ธ Administrative Relations (Part XI, Ch.II - Art.256-263) โ€ข Art.256: State Compliance โ€ข Art.257: Executive Power โ€ข Art.258: Delegation to States โ€ข Art.260: Jurisdiction Outside โ€ข Art.261: Full Faith & Credit โ€ข Art.262: Inter-State Water โ€ข Art.263: Inter-State Council ๐Ÿ’ฐ Financial Relations (Part XII, Ch.I - Art.268-293) โ€ข Art.268: Duties by Centre โ€ข Art.269: GST Inter-State โ€ข Art.270: Taxes Divided โ€ข Art.275: Grants-in-Aid โ€ข Art.280: Finance Commission โ€ข Art.282: Discretionary Grants โ€ข Art.293: State Borrowing ๐Ÿ›๏ธ Inter-State Council โ€ข Art.263 โ€ข Set up in 1990 (Sarkaria) โ€ข PM is Chairman ๐Ÿ’ฐ Finance Commission โ€ข Art.280 โ€ข Every 5 years โ€ข 16th FC: N.K. Singh (2020-25) ๐Ÿ“‹ NITI Aayog โ€ข Replaced Planning Commission โ€ข 2015 (Jan 1) โ€ข PM is Chairman ๐Ÿ“‹ Important Commissions on Centre-State Relations 1.Sarkaria Commission(1983-88) - Inter-State Council recommended 2.Punchhi Commission(2007-10) - Governor tenure, Art.356 guidelines
๐Ÿ“œ Legislative Relations (Art.245-255)
Article Provision Explanation
245 Territorial Extent Parliament - Whole India, State - Within State
246 Subject matter 7th Schedule - 3 Lists Distribution
248 Residuary Powers Vested in Parliament (Not in any list)
249 National Interest RS 2/3 resolution, Parliament can legislate on State List
250 Emergency During National Emergency, Parliament can legislate on State List
252 State Request 2+ States request, Parliament legislates (remains in force)
253 International Treaty Parliament can legislate for implementing treaties
254 Repugnancy Center law prevails over State law (Concurrent List)
โš™๏ธ Administrative Relations (Art.256-263)
Article Provision Explanation
256 State Compliance States must comply with Union laws
257 Control of Union Center can give directions to States
258 Delegation Center can delegate powers to States
261 Full Faith & Credit Public acts, records, judicial proceedings
262 Inter-State Water Parliament can adjudicate water disputes
263 Inter-State Council President can establish for coordination
๐Ÿ’ฐ Financial Relations (Art.268-293)
Article Type Details
268 Levied by Centre, Collected by States Stamp Duties (except in Union List)
269 Levied & Collected by Centre, Assigned to States GST on Inter-State trade
270 Levied & Collected by Centre, Distributed Income Tax, Union Excise (shared)
275 Grants-in-Aid Statutory grants to States (FC recommendation)
280 Finance Commission Every 5 years, recommends tax distribution
282 Discretionary Grants Center can give grants for public purpose
293 State Borrowing States need Center consent if indebted

๐Ÿ“Š Comparison Tables - Comparison Tables

๐Ÿ“‹ Federal vs Unitary Features
Federal Features Unitary Features
Written Constitution Strong Centre
Division of Powers (7th Schedule) Single Constitution
Rigid Constitution (Art.368) Single Citizenship
Independent Judiciary Integrated Judiciary
Bicameral Legislature All India Services
Supremacy of Constitution Emergency Provisions (Part XVIII)
Dual Polity Governor Appointment by Centre
States have own Constitution (J&K was) Parliament can alter state boundaries
๐Ÿ“‹ 3 Lists Comparison (7th Schedule)
Feature Union List (I) State List (II) Concurrent List (III)
Original Subjects 97 66 47
Present Subjects 100 61 52
Law Making Parliament Only State Legislature Both (Centre Prevails)
Examples Defence, Banking, Currency Police, Health, Agriculture Education, Forest, Marriage
Residuary With Parliament (Art.248) N/A N/A
๐Ÿ“‹ Important Commissions Comparison
Commission Year Chairman Key Recommendations
Sarkaria Commission 1983-88 R.S. Sarkaria Inter-State Council, Governor guidelines, Art.356 sparingly
Punchhi Commission 2007-10 M.M. Punchhi Governor tenure 5 yrs, Concurrent List reform, Local bodies
Rajamannar Committee 1969-71 P.V. Rajamannar Tamil Nadu - More State autonomy
๐Ÿ“‹ Finance Commission Details
FC Chairman Period State Share
13th FC Vijay Kelkar 2010-15 32%
14th FC Y.V. Reddy 2015-20 42%
15th FC N.K. Singh 2020-26 41%
16th FC Arvind Panagariya 2026-31 TBD
๐Ÿ“‹ Inter-State Council vs Finance Commission
Feature Inter-State Council Finance Commission
Article 263 280
Set up by President President
Tenure Permanent (1990) Every 5 years
Chairman Prime Minister Appointed Chairman
Purpose Coordination, Advisory Tax Distribution
Nature Political Financial
Recommended by Sarkaria Commission Constitutional Body
๐Ÿ“‹ When Parliament can legislate on State List
Article Situation Condition
249 National Interest RS passes resolution by 2/3 majority (1 year)
250 National Emergency During Art.352 Proclamation
252 State Request 2+ States request Parliament
253 International Treaty For implementing treaties/agreements
356 President's Rule State Legislature dissolved/suspended

๐ŸŽฏ TNPSC Shortcuts - Federalism & Centre-State Relations!

๐Ÿง  Master Memory Formula - SVG
๐ŸŽฏ Federalism & Centre-State - Memory Tricks ๐ŸŽฏ ๐Ÿ“œ 7th Schedule - "USC" (Art.246) UNeon List:97โ†’100(Parliament Only) State List:66โ†’61(State Legislature) Concurrent:47โ†’52(Both - Center Prevails) ๐Ÿ“Œ Memory:"100-61-52"(Present Count) ๐Ÿ“Œ Residuary:Art. 248(Parliament) ๐Ÿค 3 Types of Relationships - "LAF" Legislative: Art.245-255(Part XI, Ch. I) AAdministrative: Art.256-263(Part XI, Ch.II) Ffinancial: Art.268-293(Part XII) ๐Ÿ“Œ ISC:Art. 263| FC:Art. 280 ๐Ÿ“Œ K.C. Where:"Quasi-Federal" ๐Ÿ“œ Parliament on State List - "NERIT" NNational Interest: Art.249(RS 2/3) Eemergency: Art.250 Request by States: Art.252(2+ States) IInternational Treaty: Art.253 ๐Ÿ“‹ Important Commissions Sarkaria:1983-88(ISC recommended) Punchhi:2007-10(Governor reform) Rajamannar:1969-71(TN - State autonomy) ๐Ÿ“Œ Memory:"SPR"Commissions ๐Ÿ’ฐ Finance Commission (Art.280) - Every 5 Years 14th FC:Y.V. Reddy(2015-20) =42%States | 15th FC:N.K. Singh(2020-26) =41%States | 16th FC:Arvind Panagariya(2026-31) ๐Ÿ“Œ Memory:"14-YV-42 | 15-NK-41 | 16-AP" ๐Ÿ›๏ธ Inter-State Council (Art.263) Set up:1990(Sarkaria recommendation) Chairman:Prime Minister ๐Ÿ“‹ NITI Aayog (2015) โ€ข Replaced:Planning Commission Chairman:Prime Minister ๐ŸŽฏ FINAL: "7th=USC(100-61-52) | LAF(245-263-293) | NERIT(249-250-252-253)" FC=Art.280 | ISC=Art.263 | Residuary=Art.248 | Repugnancy=Art.254
๐Ÿ“ TNPSC One-Liners
๐Ÿ“Œ 7th Schedule Which Article? Art. 246
๐Ÿ“Œ Union List Present Subjects? 100
๐Ÿ“Œ State List Present Subjects? 61
๐Ÿ“Œ Concurrent List Present Subjects? 52
๐Ÿ“Œ Residuary Powers Article? Art.248 (Parliament)
๐Ÿ“Œ Finance Commission Article? Art. 280
๐Ÿ“Œ Inter-State Council Article? Art. 263
๐Ÿ“Œ ISC Set up Year? 1990 (Sarkaria recommendation)
๐Ÿ“Œ 15th FC Chairman? N.K. Singh
๐Ÿ“Œ K.C. Where is India called? "Quasi-Federal"
๐Ÿ“Œ NITI Aayog replaced? Planning Commission (2015)
๐Ÿ“Œ Repugnancy Article? Art.254 (Centre Prevails)
๐Ÿ”ฅ FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions
Q1:Who has Residuary Powers?
A: Parliament (Art.248) - For States in USA
Q2:What is conflict in Concurrent List?
A: Center Law Prevails (Art.254)
Q3:Who is Inter-State Council Chairman?
A: Prime Minister
Q4:Finance Commission How many times a year?
A: Every 5 Years (Art.280)
Q5:Education was on which list, where is it now?
A: State List → Concurrent List (42nd Amendment 1976)
๐ŸŽฏ Quick Revision Chart
Topic Article Key Point
7th Schedule 246 3 Lists (USC)
Residuary 248 Parliament
National Interest 249 RS 2/3 - 1 year
Emergency 250 Parliament on State
State Request 252 2+ States
Treaty 253 International
Repugnancy 254 Center Prevails
ISC 263 PM Chairman
FC 280 Every 5 years
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