Federalism

noun (uncountable)

/ˈfedərəlɪzəm/

A system of government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central authority and constituent political units (states, provinces), each supreme within its own sphere. India practises 'cooperative federalism' — a quasi-federal arrangement wherein the Constitution tilts towards the Centre (single citizenship, integrated judiciary, all-India services, emergency provisions under Articles 352–360), yet guarantees residual autonomy to States under the Seventh Schedule. The 73rd and 74th Amendments (1992) deepened federalism by creating a third tier — elected local bodies — with constitutional recognition.

✍️ Usage in a UPSC answer

The Supreme Court's ruling in S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994) established that federalism is a basic feature of the Constitution and that Article 356 cannot be invoked to serve partisan ends, thereby placing a judicial check on the Centre's power to dissolve State governments.

Synonyms

federal systemdivided sovereigntydecentralised governanceconfederalismcooperative federalism

Antonyms

unitarianismcentralisationautocracyunitary state

🌱 Word Family

federal (adj), federate (verb), federation (noun), federalist (noun/adj), confederal (adj), confederacy (noun)

🔡 Root

Latin foedus (genitive foederis) = treaty, league, compact; -alism = system/doctrine

📜 Etymology

From Latin foedus 'treaty, league', related to fides 'faith, trust'. The adjectival form 'federal' entered English in the 1640s during debates over the English Commonwealth, drawing on the idea of a covenant between sovereign parties. The noun 'federalism' emerged in 18th-century American political thought, particularly in The Federalist Papers (1787–88) by Madison, Hamilton, and Jay, who systematised the theory of divided sovereignty.

🧠 Memory Hook

Latin foedus means a 'treaty' or compact — federalism is the grand COMPACT between the Centre and States, each bound by the Constitution's treaty-like Seventh Schedule. Think: 'F' for Federation = Formal agreement of sovereign partners sharing power faithfully (fides = faith).

📝 Seen in UPSC Question Papers

Prelims 2020 — Emergency Provisions
Prelims 2017 — Federalism
Prelims 2017 — Local Government
Mains 2024 · GS2 · 15 marks — Indian Polity
Mains 2023 · GS2 · 15 marks — Indian Polity
Mains 2015 · GS2 · 12.5 marks — Indian Polity
Mains 2014 · GS2 · 12.5 marks — Indian Polity

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

🏛️ Governance 📖 Seen in: Good Governance — Metrics, Indices & G...

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