⚖️ Polity & GovernanceUPSC 2017Salient Features of the Constitution

Which one of the following is not a feature of Indian federalism? (UPSC 2017)

aThere is an independent judiciary in India.
bPowers have been clearly divided between the Centre and the States.
cThe federating units have been given unequal representation in the Rajya Sabha.
dIt is the result of an agreement among the federating units.
✓ Correct answer: d) It is the result of an agreement among the federating units.
ExplanationAns: D Exp: About Indian federalism: The Indian Constitution adopts the federal system of Government but with more tilt towards a unitary system of government.So, every state government does not have power of its own.The term ‘Federation’ has nowhere been used in the Constitution.Article 1, on the other hand, describes India as a ‘Union of States’ which implies two things: one, Indian Federation is not the result of an agreement by the states; and two, no state has the right to secede from the federation.Thus, it is considered as a quasi-federal system.It contains all the usual features of a federation, viz., two governments, division of powers, written Constitution, the supremacy of Constitution, the rigidity of Constitution, independent judiciary and bicameralism.

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