Federalism and Centre-State Relations — Practice Questions
UPSC Prelims-pattern practice questions on Centre-State relations with full explanations — residuary powers, Inter-State Council, grants, Article 356 and reform commissions.
Questions
These are original UPSC-pattern practice questions. Attempt each one before revealing the answer.
Under the Constitution of India, the residuary power of legislation is vested in which of the following?
Solution
Article 248 and Entry 97 of List I vest residuary powers in Parliament — the Canadian model. In the USA, residuary powers lie with the states (the trap in option B). There is no concurrent residuary power, and the ordinance power (Article 123) extends only to subjects on which Parliament can legislate.
Answer: A
Consider the following statements about the Inter-State Council:
- It was established by an order of the President under Article 263.
- It is a body created directly by the Constitution and has existed since 1950.
- It was set up in 1990 following a recommendation of the Sarkaria Commission.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Solution
Article 263 only enables the President to establish such a Council. It was actually set up in 1990 by Presidential order on the Sarkaria Commission’s recommendation. Statements 1 and 3 are correct; statement 2 is wrong.
Answer: C
Consider the following pairs:
| Commission / Committee | Appointed by |
|---|---|
| 1. Rajamannar Committee | Government of Tamil Nadu |
| 2. Sarkaria Commission | Union Government |
| 3. Punchhi Commission | Inter-State Council |
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Solution
The Rajamannar Committee (1969) was appointed by the Tamil Nadu government — correct. The Sarkaria Commission (1983) was appointed by the Union Government — correct. The Punchhi Commission (2007) was also appointed by the Union Government, not the Inter-State Council — pair 3 is wrong.
Answer: B
Which Article of the Constitution of India empowers the Union or a State to make grants for any public purpose, even if the purpose is not within its legislative competence?
Solution
Article 282 provides discretionary grants. Article 275 provides statutory grants-in-aid on Finance Commission advice; Article 270 deals with sharing of Union taxes; Article 280 creates the Finance Commission.
Answer: D
With reference to a proclamation under Article 356, consider the following statements:
- It must be approved by both Houses of Parliament within two months.
- It can be continued beyond one year only if a National Emergency is in operation and the Election Commission certifies that elections cannot be held.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Solution
Both are correct. Article 356(3) requires approval within two months (a National Emergency under Article 352 needs approval within one month — the usual trap). Article 356(5), added by the 44th Amendment (1978), sets the conditions for continuation beyond one year.
Answer: C
Mains
“Cooperative federalism in India is a work in progress.” Critically examine with reference to fiscal and institutional relations between the Union and the States.
Solution
Introduction: Cooperative federalism means the Union and the States work as partners on shared national goals rather than as rivals. The Constitution gives the Union a stronger hand but also builds forums for joint decision-making.
Body:
- Cooperative features: GST Council (Article 279A) — pooled sovereignty with weighted voting; Finance Commission (Article 280) — rule-based devolution (41% under the 15th FC); Inter-State Council (Article 263); Zonal Councils; NITI Aayog’s role as a forum for States.
- Strains: vertical fiscal imbalance — States spend more than they raise; cesses and surcharges outside the divisible pool; conditional centrally sponsored schemes under Article 282; borrowing limits under Article 293; the end of the five-year GST compensation period for States in June 2022.
- Political-institutional strains: Governors’ delay on bills; Article 356 history before Bommai; infrequent Inter-State Council meetings; disputes reaching the Supreme Court under Article 131.
- Judicial balance: S.R. Bommai (1994) — federalism a basic feature; Mohit Minerals (2022) — GST Council recommendations persuasive, a reminder that cooperation must be negotiated.
Way forward: regular Inter-State Council meetings; Sarkaria and Punchhi recommendations on Governors; limiting cesses; greater untied funds to States.
Conclusion: India’s federalism is strong at the centre by design, but its cooperative elements have grown. Sustaining them needs trust-building institutions, not only constitutional text.