Pratidin
GS2Governance, Constitution, polity, social justice and international relations

Federalism and devolution

Syllabus: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.

Current affairs on this topic 14

Background from the reference shelf

Previous-year questions 29

  1. 2026 · GS2 · 15 marks How far has the Indian federal framework been successful in accommodating regional and cultural diversities? Highlight the role of asymmetric federalism and suggest measures to make dispute…
  2. 2026 · GS2 · 15 marks Discuss the position of the Governor in the federal polity of India. What is the nature of his power while giving assent to a bill passed by the State Legislature? Is he bound by the aid and advice…
  3. 2025 · GS2 · 15 marks Examine the evolving pattern of Centre-State financial relations in the context of planned development in India. How far have the recent reforms impacted the fiscal federalism in India?
  4. 2025 · GS2 · 15 marks Discuss the evolution of collegium system in India. Critically examine the advantages and disadvantages of the system of appointment of the Judges of the Supreme Court of India and that of the USA.
  5. 2024 · GS2 · 15 marks What changes has the Union Government recently introduced in the domain of Centre-State relations? Suggest measures to be adopted to build the trust between the Centre and the States and for…
  6. 2024 · GS2 · 10 marks Analyse the role of local bodies in providing good governance at local level and bring out the pros and cons merging the rural local bodies with the urban local bodies.
  7. 2023 · GS2 · 15 marks Account for the legal and political factors responsible for the reduced frequency of using Article 356 by the Union Governments since mid-1990s.
  8. 2023 · GS2 · 10 marks "The states in India seem reluctant to empower urban local bodies both functionally as well as financially." Comment.
  9. 2023 · GS2 · 15 marks Explain the significance of the 101st Constitutional Amendment Act. To what extent does it reflect the accommodative spirit of federalism?
  10. 2022 · GS2 · 10 marks Discuss the role of the National Commission for Backward Classes in the wake of its transformation from a statutory body to a constitutional body.
  11. 2022 · GS2 · 10 marks To what extent, in your opinion, has the decentralisation of power in India changed the governance landscape at the grassroots?
  12. 2022 · GS2 · 15 marks "While the national political parties in India favour centralisation, the regional parties are in favour of State autonomy." Comment.
  13. 2022 · GS2 · 15 marks Discuss the essential conditions for exercise of the legislative powers by the Governor. Discuss the legality of re-promulgation of ordinances by the Governor without placing them before the…
  14. 2021 · GS2 · 15 marks The jurisdiction of the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) regarding lodging an FIR and conducting probe within a particular state is being questioned by various States. However, the power of…
  15. 2021 · GS2 · 10 marks How have the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission of India enabled the States to improve their fiscal position?
  16. 2020 · GS2 · 15 marks National Education Policy 2020 is in conformity with the Sustainable Development Goal-4 (2030). It intends to restructure and reorient education system in India. Critically examine the statement.
  17. 2020 · GS2 · 10 marks How far do you think cooperation, competition and confrontation have shaped the nature of federation in India? Cite some recent examples to validate your answer.
  18. 2020 · GS2 · 15 marks The strength and sustenance of local institutions in India has shifted from their formative phase of 'Functions, Functionaries and Funds' to the contemporary stage of 'Functionality'. Highlight the…
  19. 2018 · GS2 · 15 marks Assess the importance of the Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources the Panchayats can look out for financing developmental projects?
  20. 2018 · GS2 · 15 marks How is the Finance Commission of India constituted? What do you know about the terms of reference of the recently constituted Finance Commission? Discuss.
  21. 2017 · GS2 · 15 marks Explain the salient features of the constitution (One Hundred and First Amendment) Act, 2016. Do you think it is efficacious enough 'to remove cascading effect of taxes and provide for common…
  22. 2017 · GS2 · 10 marks Critically examine the Supreme Court's judgement on 'National Judicial Appointments Commission Act, 2014' with reference to appointment of judges of higher judiciary in India.
  23. 2017 · GS2 · 10 marks "The local self-government system in India has not proved to be effective instrument of governance." Critically examine the statement and give your views to improve the situation.
  24. 2017 · GS2 · 10 marks "The local self government system in India has not proved to be effective instrument of governance". Critically examine the statement and give your views to improve the situation.
  25. 2015 · GS2 · 12.5 marks The concept of cooperative federalism has been increasingly emphasised in recent years. Highlight the drawbacks in the existing structure and extent to which cooperative federalism would answer the…
  26. 2015 · GS2 · 12.5 marks In the absence of well-educated and organised local level government system, Panchayats and Samitis have remained mainly political institutions and not effective instrument of governance. Critically…
  27. 2014 · GS2 · 12.5 marks Though the federal principle is dominant in our Constitution and that principle is one of its basic features, but it is equally true that federalism under the Indian Constitution leans in favour of…
  28. 2013 · GS2 · 10 marks Recent directives from Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas are perceived by the 'Nagas' as a threat to override the exceptional status enjoyed by the State. Discuss in light of Article 371A of the…
  29. 2013 · GS2 · 10 marks Discuss the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission which have been a departure from the previous commissions for strengthening the local government finances.