Federalism and Centre-State Relations

Federalism and Centre-State Relations

Overview

Federalism in India represents a carefully calibrated balance between national unity and regional autonomy. The Constitution establishes a "Union of States" (Article 1) rather than a "Federation," signalling the framers' intent to create a system with a strong Centre while accommodating India's diversity. This quasi-federal structure—federal in form but unitary in spirit—has evolved significantly since 1950 through judicial interpretation, political practice, and constitutional amendments.

For UPSC Prelims, this topic tests constitutional provisions (especially Articles 245-263, 268-293), the roles of constitutional bodies like the Finance Commission and Inter-State Council, and contemporary Centre-State disputes. Mastery requires understanding both the textual provisions and their real-world application in India's coalition-era and post-GST governance landscape.

Key Concepts

• Three-tier distribution of powers: Legislative subjects divided into Union List (98 items), State List (59 items), and Concurrent List (52 items) under Seventh Schedule. Residuary powers vest in Parliament (Article 248)—a key centralising feature unlike the US model.
• Parliamentary supremacy in concurrent matters: When Union and State laws conflict on a Concurrent List subject, Union law prevails (Article 254). However, a State law can prevail if it receives Presidential assent.
• Administrative relations follow legislative pattern: Executive power of Centre extends to Union List matters, States to State List. Centre can issue directions to States (Articles 256-257) and States must ensure compliance with Union laws.
• Financial asymmetry by design: Major elastic taxes (income tax, customs) are with Centre, while GST is levied by both Centre and States (Article 246A); States depend on devolution and grants. Finance Commission (Article 280) recommends vertical (Centre-State) and horizontal (inter-State) distribution.
• Emergency provisions tilt balance: During National Emergency (Article 352), Parliament can legislate on State subjects. President's Rule (Article 356) suspends State executive and legislative machinery entirely.
• Inter-State Council as deliberative forum: Article 263 body meant to investigate and advise on Centre-State and inter-State disputes. Constituted in 1990 following Sarkaria Commission recommendation; meets irregularly.
• Cooperative federalism vs competitive federalism: Post-2014 shift emphasised NITI Aayog's role in fostering competition among States through performance indices while maintaining cooperative frameworks like GST Council.

Key Facts

Important Commissions on Centre-State Relations:

• Sarkaria Commission (1983-88): Recommended restraint in using Article 356; strengthening Inter-State Council
• Punchhi Commission (2007-10): Recommended localising Emergency provisions; Governor reforms
• 15th Finance Commission (2021-26): Devolution at 41% of divisible pool; introduced performance-based grants

Worked Examples

Example 1: Legislative Conflict Resolution

Question: A State passes a law on education (Concurrent List) that differs from a Union law. What determines which prevails?

Analysis:

• Step 1: Education is in Concurrent List (Entry 25), so both can legislate
• Step 2: Apply Article 254(1)—Union law prevails to the extent of repugnancy
• Step 3: Exception under Article 254(2)—if a State law repugnant to an earlier Union law is reserved for and receives Presidential assent, it prevails in that State (Parliament can still override it later)
• Answer: Union law prevails unless the State law has prior Presidential assent

Example 2: Finance Commission Devolution

Question: The 15th Finance Commission recommended 41% devolution. What does this mean?

Analysis:

• The "divisible pool" consists of all taxes collected by Centre minus surcharges, cesses, and cost of collection
• 41% of this pool is transferred to States vertically
• Horizontal distribution among States based on criteria: population (15%), area (15%), forest cover (10%), demographic performance (12.5%), income distance (45%), tax effort (2.5%)
• This is a recommendation; Centre accepts through Union Budget

Example 3: GST Council Decision-Making

Question: Can States be overruled in GST Council?

Analysis:

• Centre holds 1/3 of total votes; all States together hold 2/3
• Decisions require 3/4 majority of weighted votes cast
• Mathematically, neither Centre alone nor States without Centre can pass a decision
• Supreme Court in Union of India v. Mohit Minerals (2022) held GST Council recommendations are persuasive, not binding—States retain legislative sovereignty

Common Mistakes

• Assuming India is purely federal → India is quasi-federal with unitary bias; terms like "Union" not "Federation," single citizenship, single Constitution, and emergency provisions confirm this. Always qualify as "federal with unitary features."
• Confusing Finance Commission with GST Council → Finance Commission (Article 280) recommends devolution of all central taxes and grants-in-aid; GST Council (Article 279A) only makes recommendations on GST-related matters. Different constitutional basis, composition, and functions.
• Believing Concurrent List gives equal power → While both can legislate, Union law prevails in conflict (Article 254). States need Presidential assent to override, making Centre practically superior.
• Treating Inter-State Council as judicial body → It is purely advisory and deliberative under Article 263. Inter-State water disputes go to tribunals under Article 262; boundary disputes may go to Supreme Court.
• Ignoring recent judicial interpretations → S.R. Bommai case (1994) limited arbitrary use of Article 356; Mohit Minerals case (2022) clarified GST Council's recommendatory nature. These reshape practical federalism.

Quick Reference

• Article 1: India is a "Union of States"—not a federation, emphasising indestructibility
• Article 249: Rajya Sabha can authorise Parliament to legislate on State subjects by 2/3 majority
• Article 252: Two or more States can request Parliament to legislate on State subjects
• Article 356: President's Rule; S.R. Bommai made it judicially reviewable
• 15th FC devolution: 41% to States; replaced population criterion (1971 census) with 2011 census
• GST Council quorum: Half of total members; voting threshold 3/4 majority