According to Dr Ambedkar, “Constitution can be both unitary as well as federal according to the requirements of time and circumstances. In normal times, it (the Constitution) is framed to work as a federal system. But in times of war, it is so designed as to make it work as though it were a unitary system.” In this context answer the following questions:

(a) List any three federal features of government in India.

(b) List any two conditions when the Parliament can make laws on Subjects in the State List.

(c) Write short notes on any two unitary features of the government in India.

(a) Three federal features of government in India are:

1. Division of powers – Legislative and administrative powers are divided between the Union and the State Governments. The Supreme Court safeguards this distribution of powers and prevents any violation of the Constitution.
2. Participation of States in governance – India has a bicameral legislature. The Rajya Sabha, the Council of States, mainly comprises representatives of the States.
3. Distribution of financial resources – The Constitution provides for the distribution of revenue between the Centre and the States, ensuring that both have adequate financial resources to discharge their functions

(b) The Parliament can make laws on Subjects in the State List:

1. During the Proclamation of an Emergency.
2. When the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution by a two-thirds majority that a subject in the State List has assumed national importance.

(c) Two unitary features of the government in India are described below:

1. Single Constitution for the Union and the States – The States have no right to frame their own Constitutions. India has a single common and unified Constitution for both the Centre and the States.
2. Single Citizenship – The Constitution provides for single citizenship, which is common to all the people of the States and Union Territories of India.