What makes India a Federal Country?- Class 10 Polity Notes
Last Updated :
30 Apr, 2024
What makes India a federal country, is a critical question. It is described under the Class 10 Civics Chapter 2 which is entitled Federalism. The question answers the unique federal system of India that has two major characteristics including a true federation and a unitary state. Our country is considered a quasi-federal system as there is a balance always maintained between the federal elements and the unitary elements.
In this article, we are going to discuss the Class 10 Civics Notes What makes India a federal country? which is a subpart of Chapter 2: Federalism.
What Makes India a Federal Country?
India became an Independent country after the partition which was really painful. After the independence, different princely states joined India to be a part of it. As per the Constitution of India, the country is a Union of States and does not use the word “Federation”. However, the Union of India is totally based on the principles of federalism. India follows the seven features of the federalism system including Dual Federalism, Division of Powers, independent judiciary, Cooperative Federalism, Divided Financial Powers, State Governments, and Executive Powers. All of these features are applied in the written provisions of the Indian Constitution.
The original Constitution of India described a two-tier government system that is the Union government and the State Governments. Later on, with the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, a third tier of federalism was added. In this amendment, the third tier of federalism was added in the form of the Panchayats and Municipalities. The Panchayats are responsible for operating in the rural areas and the Municipalities operate in the urban areas of India. It means the third tier of federalism enjoys separate jurisdictions. As of now, the Constitution of India clearly divides the power in a three-fold legislation.
The Three Lists What Makes India a Federal Country
India is considered as a Federal State as the power is divided between the federal and the state governments. As per the Constitution of India, the country has a three-fold legislative power distribution system. Three major lists are divided between the central and state governments as mentioned below.
Union List
The Union List includes the different subjects that have national importance including military, foreign affairs, different communication channels, currency, banking, and finance. The union government is able to interpret and enact laws in the different regions under the Union List. The Union List ensures uniform policy and laws throughout the country.
State List
The State List includes the different subjects that have importance at the state level or local level. The State List includes different subjects like trade, commerce, agriculture, system of irrigation, state police, public health, sanitation, hospitals, dispensaries, betting and gambling, etc. The State List deals with the different issues that have an importance on regional and local scales or sometimes at the global level. The State List related laws can be made and interpreted bt the respective state governments.
Concurrent List
Concurrent List deals with the set of common subjects that are shared between the Central and State lists. The concurrent List pays attention to those subjects that have equal concerns in the Union and State lists. The Concurrent List of subjects may include the education system, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption, and succession processes. In these matters, both the Union and State governments can make different laws. If there is a conflict between the Union government and State Government regarding the law-making, in that case, the Central Government’s law will be enforced.
Conclusion – Class 10 Civics Notes – What Makes India a Federal Country? – (Chapter 2: Federalism)
The subpart “What makes India a federal country?” of the Class 10 Civics Chapter 2: Federalism describes the power-sharing processes in the Union, State, and Concurrent lists. The sharing of power in the Union and State governments is the basic and early skeleton of the Indian Constitution. It is not that much easy to make changes in power-sharing processes. Even the Parliament does not have such power to make changes under its setup. If they want to enforce any law in the country, at least two-thirds of the majority is needed from both houses. The Judiciary System plays a major role in examining these implementations. In any dispute, the High Court and the Supreme Court have the power to make a decision further.
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FAQs on Class 10 Civics Notes – What makes India a federal country? – (Chapter 2: Federalism)
What Makes India a Federal Country Class 10 Civics Chapter 2?
India has a federal government and hence has its power divided between the state, central and local governments. The Union government has the power to legislate on the residuary subjects.
Why is India Called a Federal Country Class 10?
India is called a federal country because it has a federal system of government. A federal system of government is a system in which powers are divided between a central government and state governments.
What are the Five Main Features Which Make India a Federal Country?
Federalism in India is guaranteed by the Indian constitution which is seen as supreme. There are several important features of federalism like the division of power, Constitutional supremacy, written constitution, rigidity, independent judiciary and a bi-cameral legislature.
How is a Federal Country?
In federal systems, political authority is divided between two autonomous sets of governments, one national and the other subnational, both of which operate directly upon the people.
Is It Right to Say that India is a Federal Country?
Yes, we can say that India is a federal country based on the division of power between the national and state government. Indian government describes India as a Union of states.
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