Federal Supremacy

noun (uncountable)

/ˈfɛdərəl suːˈprɛməsi/

The constitutional principle that federal (central) law prevails over state law in cases of conflict. In India, this principle is reflected in Article 246 (Union List dominance), Article 248 (residuary power with Parliament), Article 254 (Union law overrides concurrent list state law), and Article 355/356 (Centre's power to ensure state governments comply with constitutional provisions). India is described as 'quasi-federal' with a 'strong centre' — more so than the US or Australian models.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

Article 254(2) provides a partial check on federal supremacy in the Concurrent List by allowing a state law that has received Presidential assent to prevail over an earlier central law on the same subject, introducing a degree of cooperative federalism.

Synonyms

central supremacyunion dominanceparamountcypreemption doctrine

Antonyms

state sovereigntydecentralisationconcurrent equalitynullification

🌱 Word Family

federal (adjective), federation (noun), supreme (adjective), supremacy (noun), supremely (adverb)

🔡 Root

Latin foedus (treaty, league) ← fides (faith, trust) + Latin supremus (highest) ← super (above)

📜 Etymology

Federal from Latin foedus (compact, covenant), the basis for foederatus (allied by treaty); supremacy from Latin supremus (topmost), the superlative of superus (above). The combined constitutional doctrine was articulated in the US Supremacy Clause (Article VI) and subsequently adopted in comparative federal systems.

🧠 Memory Hook

SUPREME = at the top. FEDERAL SUPREMACY = the FEDERAL (central) government sits at the TOP of the legal hierarchy. Imagine a pyramid: the Union law is the apex stone that holds the structure together.

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Mains 2019 · GS2 · 10 marks — Polity

Real UPSC previous-year questions whose text uses “Federal Supremacy” — proof this word earns its place on your list.

⚖️ Polity & Constitution 📖 Seen in: Preamble of the Indian Constitution

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