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  • FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE UNION AND THE STATES, ISSUES AND CHALLENGES PERTAINING TO THE FEDERAL STRUCTURE

    • Federalism / Centre-State Relations
      • Planning and federalism make uneasy partners; the planning operations in India have led to erosion of federalism. Discuss.
      • Write a short note on the financial aspect of Sarkaria Commission Report.
      • The planning operations in India have led to erosion of federalism. Discuss.
      • Write about M. M. Punchi Commission.
      • Discuss the major extra-constitutional factors influencing the federal polity in India.
    • Nature of Indian federation
      • Analyze the causes of controversy in India, in recent years, about Union-State relations. What are the specific areas of discord? Consider the main issues and offer your comments and suggestions.
      • India is not a federation; but it has definite federal features. Elucidate.
      • Briefly mention the factors which have promoted concentration of power in the Centre in India and discuss the response of the States to this tendency.
      • Why is the Indian Constitution called quasi federal?
      • “The emphasis in modern federations should not be on division and separation but on collaboration and on co-operation." Discuss the statement in the context of Indian Policy.
      • What are the essentials of a true federation? Analyze the nature of the Indian federation.
      • Discuss the major extra-constitutional factors influencing the working of federal polity in India.
      • Though the federal principle is dominant in our Constitution and that principle is one of its basic features, it is equally true that federalism under the Indian Constitution leans in favour of a strong Centre, a feature that militates against the concept of strong federalism. Discuss.
      • 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 address the shortcomings.
      • Did the Government of India Act, 1935 lay down a federal constitution? Discuss.
      • From the resolution of contentious issues regarding distribution of legislative powers by the courts, ‘Principle of Federal Supremacy’ and ‘Harmonious Construction’ have emerged. Explain.
      • 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 (150 words).
      • Indian Constitution exhibits centralising tendencies to maintain unity and integrity of the nation. Elucidate in the perspective of the Epidemic Diseases Act, 1897; The Disaster Management Act, 2005; and recently passed Farm Acts.
      • What changes has the Union Government recently introduced in the domain of Centre-State relations? Suggest measures to be adopted to build trust between the Centre and the States and for strengthening federalism.
    • Financial Relations
      • What are the constitutional restrictions imposed upon the power of borrowing of the state governments?
      • Comment on the financial relations between the Union and the States in India. Has post-1991 liberalization in any way affected it?
      • Examine the evolving pattern of Centre-State financial relations in the context of planned development in India. How far have the recent reforms impacted fiscal federalism in India?
    • Discuss the administrative relations between the Center and the states in the light of recent controversies.
    • State autonomy
      • What is the scheme of division of powers between the Centre and the States under the Constitution of India? Discuss whether the grant of greater autonomy to the States would be in the interests of strengthening the integrity and promoting the economic development of the country.
      • Examine the demand for greater state autonomy and its impact on the smooth functioning of Indian polity.
      • Discuss the essentials of the 69th Constitutional Amendment Act and anomalies, if any, that have led to recent reported conflicts between the elected representatives and the institution of the Lieutenant Governor in the administration of Delhi. Do you think that this will give rise to a new trend in the functioning of the Indian federal politics?
      • Whether the Supreme Court Judgement (July 2018) can settle the political tussle between the Lt. Governor and elected government of Delhi? Examine.
    • Special provisions for states
      • What criteria for a fair and just solution of the Punjab problem have been laid down in the White Paper on Punjab? Explain its contention that the propositions contained in the Anandpur–Sahib Resolution of Akali Dal on the Centre-State relations are contrary to the very basic concept of national unity and integrity and are therefore unacceptable.
      • Explain the significance of Article 370 in the Constitution of India.
      • State the significance of Article 370 of our Constitution.
      • 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 Indian Constitution.
      • To what extent is Article 370 of the Indian Constitution, bearing marginal note “temporary provision with respect to the State of Jammu and Kashmir”, temporary? Discuss the future prospects of this provision in the context of Indian polity.
    • Inter-State Council and Zonal Council
      • What are the functions of the Zonal Council?
      • What are Zonal Councils? Discuss their constitution, role and importance in achieving inter-state comity.
      • How does the Inter-State Council establish co-ordination between States?
    • Inter State Water Disputes
      • Riparian rights are a source of disputes. How are they resolved in a federal system?
      • What are the basic points of dispute over the sharing of the Cauvery water? What are the recommendations of the Supreme Court?
      • What role can the Union Government play in settling inter-state water disputes?
      • What solution has been arrived at recently in the Cauvery water dispute?
      • Under what Article of the Constitution can the Union Government play its role in settling inter-state water disputes?
      • The Inter-State river water dispute has once again assumed center-stage after the Punjab Assembly’s Bill terminating all previous accords on river waters. Discuss.
      • Disputes between the riparian states on sharing of river waters in post-Independence India are becoming increasingly complex. Objectively analyze the major disputes in this connection, with special reference to the Southern States.
      • Constitutional mechanisms to resolve the inter-state water disputes have failed to address and solve the problems. Is the failure due to structural or process inadequacy or both? Discuss.
    • Emergency Provisions
      • Many countries which achieved independence after the war have come under dictatorship or military rule. What are the forces that have enabled India to maintain a democratic system? Consider in this connection the emergency provisions in the Constitution of India in making your presentation.
      • Discuss the meaning of “breakdown of constitutional machinery”. What are its effects?
    • Financial Emergency
      • Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be imposed in India?
      • Define Financial Emergency. How many times has this been proclaimed so far?
      • Under what circumstances can the Financial Emergency be proclaimed by the President of India? What consequences follow when such a declaration remains in force?
    • President’s rule
      • Explain the significance of the April 1994 Supreme Court judgement on the proclamation of President’s rule.
      • What is Article 356 in the Indian Constitution? Comment.
      • What do you know about the following: Article 356 (in 20 words).
      • Account for the legal and political factors responsible for the reduced frequency of using Article 356 by the Union Governments since mid-1990s.
  1. UPSC IAS (CSE)
  2. UPSC Mains
  3. CONSTITUTION AND POLITY
  4. FUNCTIONS AND RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE UNION AND THE STATES, ISSUES AND CHALLENGES PERTAINING TO THE FEDERAL STRUCTURE
  5. Inter-State Council and Zonal Council

Inter-State Council and Zonal Council

What are the functions of the Zonal Council? (UPSC 1982, 3 Marks, )

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What are Zonal Councils? Discuss their constitution, role and importance in achieving inter-state comity. (UPSC 1992, 40 Marks, )

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How does the Inter-State Council establish co-ordination between States? (UPSC 2006, 15 Marks, )

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Introduction
The Inter-State Council is a constitutional body in India that aims to promote coordination and cooperation between the states and the central government.
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