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Indian PolityMediumAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2022, GK

Which one of the following is not a characteristic feature of Indian Federalism?

  1. A.The federating units consented to form a union
  2. B.Residuary powers vest with the Centre
  3. C.Single citizenship
  4. D.An extensive Union and Concurrent list

Correct answer

A. The federating units consented to form a union

Explanation

The correct answer is A, The federating units consented to form a union. The Indian federation was not formed by an agreement among the States, so "the federating units consented to form a union" is not a feature of Indian federalism.

Article 1 of the Constitution calls India a "Union of States". Dr B.R. Ambedkar explained that the word Union was chosen because the Indian federation is not the result of an agreement among the units, and no State has the right to secede. This is unlike the United States, where independent States came together. Indian federalism also has a strong Centre: residuary powers rest with Parliament (Article 248), there is single citizenship, and the Union and Concurrent Lists are long.

B is wrong because residuary powers do vest with the Centre in India. C is wrong because single citizenship is a real feature of the Indian system. D is wrong because the extensive Union and Concurrent Lists are a genuine feature that tilts power towards the Centre.

Exam tip: India = "Union of States": not formed by agreement, no right to secede, residuary powers with the Centre.

Practice Questions

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Q3.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-II 2021, GKEasy

Which one of the following is the correct meaning of the term 'State', as defined in Article 12 of the Constitution of India ?

  1. A.It refers only to the Government of India.
  2. B.It refers only to the Government of India and the Parliament of India.
  3. C.It refers only to the Government of India, Parliament of India, and Governments and Legislatures of each State.
  4. D.It refers to the Government of India, Parliament of India, Governments and Legislatures of each State, and all local or other authorities within the territory of India.
Show answer
Correct answer: D. It refers to the Government of India, Parliament of India, Governments and Legislatures of each State, and all local or other authorities within the territory of India.

Article 12 defines the State to include the Government and Parliament of India, the Government and Legislature of each State, and all local or other authorities within India or under the control of the Government of India.

Q4.Indian PolityAsked in: NDA · NDA-II 2025, GATMedium

Which one of the following committees is NOT associated with decentralization of Panchayati Raj institutions in India ?

  1. A.Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
  2. B.Ashok Mehta Committee
  3. C.L. M. Singhvi Committee
  4. D.Abhijit Sen Committee
Show answer
Correct answer: D. Abhijit Sen Committee

The Abhijit Sen Committee dealt with agricultural economics, not local self-government. Its best-known reports were on a long-term grain policy in 2002 and on whether futures trading pushed up farm prices in 2008.

Q5.Indian PolityAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2023, GS Paper IHard

Consider the following statements : 1. According to the Constitution of India, the Central Government has a duty to protect States from internal disturbances. 2. The Constitution of India exempts the States from providing legal counsel to a person being held for preventive detention. 3. According to the Prevention of Terrorism Act, 2002, confession of the accused before the police cannot be used as evidence. How many of the above statements are correct?

  1. A.Only one
  2. B.Only two
  3. C.All three
  4. D.None
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Only two

Statements 1 and 2 are correct, while statement 3 is wrong. Article 355 says it is the duty of the Union to protect every State against external aggression and internal disturbance and to ensure that its government runs according to the Constitution, so statement 1 is correct.