Discuss about the Federal Features of …

The following are the characteristic features of the federal form of Government which are present in the Indian political set up as well:

1. Written and Rigid Constitution: A characteristic feature of a federation is a written and rigid Constitution. It should be written so that the division of powers between the Centre and the States may be given in clear terms. The Constitution of a federation should be rigid so that the Centre may not snatch the powers of the state against their will. The Constitution of India is written as well as rigid.
2. The supremacy of the Constitution: In a federation, the Constitution is held supreme, i.e., no organ of the Government, executive, legislature or judiciary is empowered to work against the Constitution. This supremacy is maintained so that the division of powers may be adequately safeguarded. If any organ of the Government acts against the Constitution that act can be checked by the other organs.
3. Distribution of Powers: The Constitution of India has established two forms of Governments—Union Government and State Governments. The Constitution distributes the powers between these two sets of Governments. There are three lists of powers in the Constitution: Union List, State List, and Concurrent List. The Union List consists of 97 subjects. In the State List, there are 66 subjects while in the Concurrent List there are 47 subjects. In the Union List only the Union Government has the power to make laws while in the State List generally the State Governments have the power to make laws but in exceptional circumstances, the Union Government can make laws on the subjects of the State List as well.
4. The supremacy of the Judiciary: In a Federal system of Government, the judiciary is given a special place. The Indian Constitution establishes a powerful and independent judiciary in India. It decides disputes between the Centre and the states and between two or more states. It interprets the Constitution. The interpretation of the Constitution given by the judiciary is considered as the final and the most authentic. It can declare any law ultra vires if it is not in tune with the provisions of the Constitution.
5. Bicameral Legislature: Bicameral system of the legislature is also another important feature of a federal system of Government. The Indian Parliament also consists of two chambers—the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha.