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Federal Structure and Devolution

22 questions

2025

  1. 2025 · GS2 · 15 marksExamine 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?

2024

  1. 2024 · GS2 · 15 marksWhat changes has the union government recently introduced in the domain of center-state relations? Suggest measures to be adopted to build the trust between the center and the states and for strengthening federalism.
  2. 2024 · GS2 · 10 marksAnalyze the role of local bodies in providing good governance at local level and bring out the pros and cons of merging the rural local bodies with the urban local bodies.

2023

  1. 2023 · GS2 · 10 marksExplain the significance of the 101st constitutional amendment act. To what extent does it reflect the accommodative spirit of federalism.
  2. 2023 · GS2 · 10 marksThe states in India seem reluctant to empower urban local bodies both functionally as well as financially. Comment.

2022

  1. 2022 · GS2 · 15 marksDiscuss 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 Legislature.
  2. 2022 · GS2 · 15 marks“While the national political parties in India favour centralisation, the regional parties are in favour of State autonomy.” Comment.

2021

  1. 2021 · GS2 · 15 marksThe 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 States to withhold consent to the CBI is not absolute. Explain with special reference to the federal character of India.
  2. 2021 · GS2 · 10 marksHow have the recommendations of the 14th Finance Commission of India enabled the states to improve their fiscal position?

2019

  1. 2019 · GS2 · 15 marksThe reservation of seats for women in the institutions of local self-government have had a limited impact on the patriarchal character of the Indian Political Process.
  2. 2019 · GS2 · 10 marksFrom the resolution of contentious issues regarding the distribution of legislative powers by the courts, the ‘Principle of Federal Supremacy’ and ‘Harmonious Construction’ has emerged.

2018

  1. 2018 · GS2 · 15 marksAssess the importance of the Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources can the Panchayats look out for financing developmental projects?
  2. 2018 · GS2 · 15 marksHow is the Finance Commission of India constituted? What do you know about the terms of reference of the recently constituted Finance Commission? Discuss.

2017

  1. 2017 · GS2 · 10 marksThe local self-government system in India has not proved to be an effective instrument of governance. Critically examine the statement and give your views to improve the situation.

2016

  1. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marksDiscuss 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 Indian federal politics?
  2. 2016 · GS2 · 12.5 marksExercise of CAG’s powers in relation to the accounts of the Union and the States is derived from Article 149 of the Indian Constitution. Discuss whether an audit of the Government’s policy implementation could amount to overstepping its own (CAG) jurisdiction.

2015

  1. 2015 · GS2 · 12.5 marksIn the absence of well educated and organised local-level government system, Panchayats and Samitis have remained mainly political institutions and not effective instruments of governance. Critically Discuss.
  2. 2015 · GS2 · 12.5 marksThe concept of cooperative federalism has been increasingly emphasised in recent years. Highlight the drawbacks in the existing structure and the extent to which cooperative federalism would answer the shortcomings.
  3. 2015 · GS2 · 12.5 marksKhap panchayats have been in the news for functioning as extra-constitutional authorities, often delivering pronouncements amounting to human rights violations. Discuss critically the actions taken by the legislative, executive and judiciary to set things right in this regard.

2014

  1. 2014 · GS2 · 12.5 marksThough 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.

2013

  1. 2013 · GS2 · 10 marksConstitutional 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.
  2. 2013 · GS2 · 10 marksDiscuss the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission which have been a departure from the previous commissions for strengthening the local government finances.