UPSC Prelims 2021 Q86: Indian Polity – Federalism & Centre - State Relations
- (a) The independence of judiciary is safeguarded.
- (b) The Union Legislature has elected representatives from constituent units.
- (c) The Union Cabinet can have elected representatives from regional parties.
- (d) The Fundamental Rights are enforceable by Courts of Law.
Answer: (a) The independence of judiciary is safeguarded.
Explanation
Federal Feature of Indian Polity
The essential features of a federal system are:
1. Dual government (Centre + States)
2. Written Constitution
3. Division of powers (Union, State, Concurrent Lists)
4. Supremacy of Constitution
5. Rigidity of Constitution (amendments need special majority)
6. Independent Judiciary
7. Bicameralism (Rajya Sabha represents states)
| Option | Federal Feature? |
|---|---|
| a) Independence of judiciary | YES - Federal feature (independent judiciary needed to arbitrate between Centre-State disputes) |
| b) Union Legislature has elected representatives from constituent units | Applies to any democracy, not specifically federal |
| c) Union Cabinet can have regional party representatives | Political coalition feature, not federal |
| d) Fundamental Rights enforceable by courts | Applies to any rights-based democracy |
Correct answer: (a) The independence of judiciary is safeguarded - independent judiciary is essential for federal balance and resolution of Centre-State disputes.
Answer: (a) The independence of judiciary is safeguarded.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) CORRECT. An INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY is an essential federal feature because it arbitrates Centre-State disputes and interprets the constitutional division of powers. Without an independent apex court, the federal balance collapses.
- (b) Incorrect. Elected representatives in Union Legislature is a democratic feature; a unitary democracy also has this.
- (c) Incorrect. Regional party participation in Union Cabinet is a coalition feature, not a federal one.
- (d) Incorrect. Enforceable fundamental rights exist in unitary democracies too (e.g. UK Human Rights Act 1998).
Key point
Federal feature = independent judiciary (to arbitrate Centre-State disputes and interpret division of powers). Other federal features: dual government, division of powers, written constitution, constitutional supremacy, rigidity, bicameralism. Elected legislatures and FRs exist in unitary democracies too.
Remember
The independence of judiciary is an essential feature that indicates a polity's federal character - because an independent apex court is needed to arbitrate Centre-State disputes and interpret the constitutional division of powers. Correct answer: (a).
Common mistakes
- Assuming any democratic feature is federal. Federalism specifically requires DUAL POLITY with independent arbiter (judiciary).
- Not distinguishing federal features (dual polity, judicial review) from democratic features (elections, rights).
- Missing that India has quasi-federal features (single citizenship, integrated judiciary, all-India services) not found in classical federations.
Exam tip
Federal features: (i) Dual polity, (ii) Written Constitution, (iii) Division of powers, (iv) Constitutional supremacy, (v) Rigidity, (vi) Independent judiciary, (vii) Bicameralism. Unitary features in India: single Constitution, single citizenship, integrated judiciary, all-India services, emergency provisions. Hence 'quasi-federal' or 'federal with strong unitary bias' (Ambedkar).
Sources
- M. Laxmikanth - Indian Polity (Chapter on Federalism)
- K.C. Wheare - Federal Government (Classic federalism scholarship)