Q. Why India is sometimes referred to as a ‘quasi-federal’ polity?
Answer: C
Notes:
Exp) Option c is the correct answer.
India is regarded as a semi-federal state, or a quasi-federal state as described by Prof. K.C. Wheare. The Supreme Court of India also describes it as a federal structure with a strong bias towards the Centre.
Quasi federal refers to a system of government where the distribution of powers between the Center and the state are not equal. India is a federation with a unitary bias and is referred as a quasi-federal state because of strong central machinery.
| Important Tips | |
| Federal features of Indian Constitution | Unitary features of Indian Constitution |
| 1. Supremacy of the | 1. Single Constitution |
| 2. Bicameral Legislature | 2. Rajya Sabha does not represent the States equality |
| 3. Dual Government | 3. Division of power is not equal i.e., strong centre. |
| 4. Rigid Constitution | 4. Constitution is not strictly rigid ex. Amendment through Simple majority |
| 5. Independent Judiciary | 5. Integrated Judiciary |
| 6. In the case of a federal country there is a system of revenue sharing between the Center and the State. | 6. The Constitution of India has given emergency powers to the President |
