BharatNotes Devolution
nounUsage in a UPSC answer
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments sought to deepen democratic devolution by entrusting Panchayati Raj Institutions and urban local bodies with funds, functions and functionaries, yet genuine empowerment remains contingent on States actually ceding fiscal and administrative authority.
Synonyms
Antonyms
Word Family
devolve (v), devolved (adj), devolving (v pres.p), devolutionary (adj), devolutionist (n)
Root
Latin devolvere = to roll down; de- = down + volvere = to roll; noun suffix -tion
Etymology
From Latin devolvere ("to roll down"), from de- ("down") + volvere ("to roll"). Used in political science from the 19th century to describe the delegation of central government powers.
Memory Hook
De- (down) + volve (roll, as in "revolve") — power is rolled DOWN from the centre to the regions and localities.
How This Word Works in UPSC Writing
The transfer of powers to subnational units able to exercise them autonomously. The three Fs of funds, functions and functionaries are the standard test, and the point worth making is that devolution fails precisely when they are separated, since transferring a function without the money to discharge it or the staff to execute it produces responsibility without capacity, which is the commonest Indian pattern. The Eleventh and Twelfth Schedules list twenty-nine and eighteen subjects for panchayats and municipalities respectively, but the crucial feature is that Articles 243G and 243W are permissive rather than mandatory, providing that a State legislature may endow local bodies with such powers, so the extent of devolution is a State choice and that is why it varies so widely across the country. Distinguish devolution from its weaker cousins: deconcentration merely relocates administrative work to a field office of the same authority, delegation assigns tasks that can be withdrawn, and only devolution transfers power to a body with its own democratic mandate.
Don’t Confuse It With
Devolution transfers power to a separately constituted body holding its own mandate, delegation assigns tasks the delegating authority may withdraw, and deconcentration simply moves administrative work to a field office of the same authority, so only the first is genuine decentralisation. The three Fs are funds, functions and functionaries, and transferring one without the others produces responsibility without capacity. Articles 243G and 243W are permissive, using may rather than shall, which is why devolution varies so much between States.
Hindi Meaning
हस्तांतरण (hastāntaran); विकेंद्रीकरण (vikendrīkaran) for decentralisation.
Common Questions
- What are the three Fs of devolution?
- Funds, functions and functionaries; transferring a function without the finance to discharge it or the staff to execute it produces responsibility without capacity.
- Why does devolution vary so much between States?
- Because Articles 243G and 243W are permissive, saying a State legislature may endow local bodies with powers, so how much is actually devolved remains a State decision.
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