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Indian PolityMediumAsked in: UPSC Civil Services · CSE Prelims 2017, GS Paper I

Which one of the following is not a feature of Indian federalism ?

  1. A.There is an independent judiciary in India.
  2. B.Powers have been clearly divided between the Centre and the States.
  3. C.The federating units have been given unequal representation in the Rajya Sabha.
  4. D.It is the result of an agreement among the federating units.

Correct answer

D. It is the result of an agreement among the federating units.

Explanation

The correct answer is D, It is the result of an agreement among the federating units. Indian federation was not formed by States coming together under an agreement, which is why the Constitution calls India a 'Union of States'. B.R. Ambedkar explained in the Constituent Assembly that the word Union was chosen because the federation was not the result of an agreement among the units, and therefore no State has the right to secede. Unlike the United States, where independent states joined to form a federation, India's States were created by the Constitution, and Parliament can even change their boundaries under Article 3. Option A is a feature because an independent judiciary, headed by the Supreme Court, settles disputes between the Centre and the States. Option B is a feature because the Seventh Schedule divides powers through the Union, State and Concurrent Lists. Option C is a feature because seats in the Rajya Sabha are allotted to States roughly by population under the Fourth Schedule, unlike the equal representation of states in the American Senate. Exam tip: India is an 'indestructible Union of destructible States', not a federation by agreement.

Practice Questions

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Q1.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2021, GKMedium

Who among the following was the Chairman of the National Commission for Review of the Working of the Constitution (2000)?

  1. A.Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah
  2. B.Justice J.S. Verma
  3. C.Justice Ranganath Mishra
  4. D.Justice Y.K. Sabharwal
Show answer
Correct answer: A. Justice M.N. Venkatachaliah

Venkatachaliah. The National Commission to Review the Working of the Constitution was set up by the Union government in February 2000 under Justice M.N.

Q3.Indian PolityAsked in: CDS · CDS-I 2024, GKMedium

Consider the following statements :

1. In India, the Special Marriage Act protects an individual if one enters into an interreligious marriage.

2. Right to marry a person of one's choice is an integral aspect of one's Fundamental Rights under Article 21 of the Constitution of India.

3. The Universal Declaration of Human Rights also resonates marital rights of every adult consenting individuals.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. A.2 and 3 only
  2. B.1 and 3 only
  3. C.1,2 and 3
  4. D.1 only
Show answer
Correct answer: C. 1,2 and 3

All three statements are correct. The Special Marriage Act, 1954 lets any two Indians marry by civil registration whatever their religion, without either partner having to convert, so it is the law that covers inter-religious marriages.

Q5.Indian PolityHard

In which case did the Supreme Court recognise a living will, or advance medical directive, as part of the right to die with dignity?

  1. A.Aruna Shanbaug versus Union of India, 2011
  2. B.Common Cause versus Union of India, 2018
  3. C.Gian Kaur versus State of Punjab, 1996
  4. D.P. Rathinam versus Union of India, 1994
Show answer
Correct answer: B. Common Cause versus Union of India, 2018

A Constitution Bench held that the right to die with dignity is part of the right to life under Article 21, and that an adult of sound mind may draw up an advance directive, popularly called a living will, refusing life support if he later becomes terminally ill or goes…