Federalism & Decentralization

Essay Category: 1.2 | Last updated: 2026-06-04

PYQs Asked

Impact of the new economic measures on fiscal ties between the union and states in India. -2017
Water disputes between States in federal India. -2016
Cooperative federalism: Myth or reality. -2016
Creation of smaller states and the consequent administrative, economic and developmental implication. -2011
Evaluation of panchayati raj system in India from the point of view of eradication of power to people. -2007
Water resources should be under the control of the central government. -2004
The language problem in India: its past, present and prospects. -1998

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J&K statehood restoration demand (2026): After J&K was downgraded from a State to two UTs and Art. 370 abrogated (2019), the elected NC government is protesting for statehood restoration (SC had directed it "at the earliest"). A live test of the federal principle that statehood should not be a reversible, Centre-controlled lever, and of elected self-rule vs. L-G/Centre control. Use for "creation/alteration of states and their implications" (-2011) and cooperative-federalism essays. (Indian Express, 04-06-2026)

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