Federalism Test - 3

Under the unitary system, either there is only one level of government or the sub-units are subordinate to the central government. The central government can pass on orders to the provincial or the local government. But in a federal system, the central government cannot order the state government to do somethin

Key features of a Federal system :

1. There are two or more levels (or tiers) of government.
2. Different tiers of government govern the same citizens, but each tier has its own JURISDICTION in specific matters of legislation, taxation and administration.
3. The jurisdictions of the respective levels or tiers of government are specified in the constitution. So the existence and authority of each tier of government is constitutionally guaranteed.

Sources of revenue for each level of government are clearly specified to ensure its financial autonomy.

Courts have the power to interpret the constitution and the powers of different levels of government.

The exact balance of power between the central and the state government varies from one federation to another. This balance depends mainly on the historical context in which the federation was formed.

Vertical division of power among different levels of government is one of the major forms of power-sharing in modern democracies. It is most commonly referred to as federalism.

There are two kinds of routes through which federations have been formed.Coming Together and Holding Together

Jurisdiction: The area over which someone has legal authority. The area may be defined in terms of geographical boundaries or in terms of certain kinds of subjects.

India had emerged as an independent nation after a painful and bloody partition.

The Constitution declared India as a Union of States.