UPSC Mains 2015 · GS II · Q2 · 12.5 marks · 200 words

The concept of cooperative federalism has been increasingly emphasized in recent years. Highlight the drawbacks in the existing structure and the extent to which cooperative federalism would answer the shortcomings.

हिन्दी में

हाल के वर्षों में सहकारी परिसंघवाद की संकल्पना पर अधिकाधिक बल दिया जाता रहा है। विद्यमान संरचना में असुविधाओं और सहकारी परिसंघवाद किस सीमा तक इन असुविधाओं का हल निकाल लेगा, इस पर प्रकाश डालिए।

FederalismCentre-State Relations

How a topper answered the closest question

Toppers wrote this one in a test series: “Cooperative federalism reflects an ideology of stable relationship between centre and state interaction. Despite this, there are certain issues and challenges pertaining to it. Discuss.”

Kumud MishraAIR 69 · CSE 2024 · 146 wordsTheir whole copy

Opening · a definition

The idea of cooperative federalism believes in mutual cooperation and exchange between the centre and the states.

Body · points

Cooperative federalism :

  1. Promotes unity and integrity of the country Ex: the ISC (Art 263), National Integration council
  2. Facilitates effective engagement and smooth administration.
  3. Fosters idea of "federalism" as sui generis i.e. emerging on its own (K.C. Wheare).
  4. Reflects federalism as the "basic structure" S.R. Bommai case 1994. (5) Facilitates exchange and cooperative development Ex: via NITI Aayog.

Issues and challenges: (1) Emergence of "uncooperative federalism" Ex: West Bengal, Tamil Nadu. (2) Contestations over financial devolution and revenues Ex: GST meetings. (3) State specific disputes Ex: Tamil Nadu protests against NEET (4) Question on partisan role of governor and reservation of bills for President

Close · a way forward

Thus, there is the need to promote balance between state autonomy and centralisation as India is union of states (Art. 1)

1 more topper’s answer to this question, part by part, and how they all approached it: open the question.

Toppers’ answers to other close questions

Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Main) Examination 2015, General Studies Paper II, Q2. The paper on upsc.gov.in. Themes and links to toppers’ answers are by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.