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Q66 (IAS/2021) Polity & Governance › Federalism & Emergency Provisions › Indian federalism features Official Key

Which one of the following in Indian polity is an essential feature that indicates that it is federal in character?

Result
Your answer: —  ·  Correct: A
Explanation

The correct answer is Option 1.

In a federal system, the division of powers between the Centre and the States is enshrined in a written Constitution. To maintain this division and settle disputes arising between these two levels of government, an independent and impartial judiciary is indispensable. The independence of the judiciary ensures that the "umpire" of the federal structure can prevent any overreach by either the Union or the States, thereby safeguarding the federal equilibrium.

  • Option 2 is incorrect because while the Rajya Sabha represents States, the mere presence of elected representatives does not define federalism; many unitary systems also have representative legislatures.
  • Option 3 refers to a political practice (coalition politics) rather than a constitutional structural requirement for federalism.
  • Option 4 is a feature of constitutionalism and democracy aimed at protecting individual liberty, rather than a specific indicator of the federal distribution of power.
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Don’t just practise – reverse-engineer the question. This panel shows where this PYQ came from (books / web), how the examiner broke it into hidden statements, and which nearby micro-concepts you were supposed to learn from it. Treat it like an autopsy of the question: what might have triggered it, which exact lines in the book matter, and what linked ideas you should carry forward to future questions.
Q. Which one of the following in Indian polity is an essential feature that indicates that it is federal in character? [A] The independence…
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 7.5/10 · 2.5/10
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This is a classic 'Concept Clarity' check. It moves beyond rote memorization of features to understanding the *functional necessity* of federalism. The question forces you to distinguish between a 'political trend' (Option C), a 'general democratic right' (Option D), and the 'structural umpire' (Option A) that makes federalism legally possible.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
In the Indian polity, is the independence of the judiciary an essential feature indicating that it is federal in character?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 5: NATURE OF THE FEDERAL SYSTEM > NATURE OF THE FEDERAL SYSTEM > p. 59
Presence: 5/5
“whether it belongs to the Federation or to the component States, is subordinate to and controlled by the Constitution. • (iv) Authority of Courts. In a Federal State, the legal supremacy of the Constitution is essential to the existence of the federal system. It is essential to maintain the division of powers not only between the coordinate branches of the government, but also between the Federal Government and the States themselves The Supreme Court has observed that the Indian Constitution is basically federal in form and is marked by the traditional characteristics of a federal system, namely, supremacy of the Constitution, division of power between the Union and the States and existence of an independent judiciary.”
Why this source?
  • Explicitly lists existence of an independent judiciary as a traditional characteristic of a federal system.
  • Connects independent judiciary to supremacy of the Constitution and the maintenance of division of powers between Union and States.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 4: Salient Features of the Constitution > 4. Federal System with Unitary Bias > p. 29
Presence: 4/5
“features of a federal system, viz., two governments, division of powers, written Constitution, supremacy of Constitution, rigidity of Constitution, independent judiciary and bicameralism. However, the Indian Constitution also contains many unitary or non-federal features, viz., a strong Centre, single Constitution, single citizenship, flexibility of Constitution, integrated judiciary, appointment of state governor by the Centre, India services, emergency provisions and so on. Moreover, the term 'Federation' has nowhere been used in the Constitution. Article 1, on the other hand, describes India as a 'Union of States', which implies two things: one, the Indian Federation is not the result of an agreement by the states; and two, no state has the right to secede from the federation.”
Why this source?
  • Identifies independent judiciary among the core features of a federal system in the Indian constitutional context.
  • Also highlights the Indian Constitution's mix of federal features with unitary elements, providing necessary nuance.
Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 26: Supreme Court > INDEPENDENCE OF SUPREME COURT > p. 289
Presence: 4/5
“t INDEPENDENCE OF SUPREME COURT The Supreme Court has been assigned a very significant role in the Indian political system. It is a federal court, the highest court of appeal, the guarantor of the fundamental rights of the citizens and guardian of the Constitution. Therefore, its independence becomes very essential for the effective discharge of the duties assigned to it. It should be free from encroachments, pressures and interferences of the executive (Council of Ministers) and the Legislature (Parliament). The Constitution has made the following provisions to safeguard and ensure the independent and impartial functioning of the Supreme Court: 1.”
Why this source?
  • Describes the Supreme Court as a federal court and says its independence is very essential for discharging federal duties.
  • Emphasises safeguards for judicial independence to enable the Court's role as guardian of the Constitution and federal balance.
Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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Statement analysis

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