FEDERALISM AND THE INDIAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

Federalism is a system in which political power is divided between a central (national) government and smaller governmental units, states or provinces. The division of power is usually defined in a Constitution.

Federal system of government differs from unitary system. In a unitary system, all power legally derives from the Central Government. States of provinces have only those powers that the Central Government gives them. Some nations that appear to use the federal system really use the unitary system. Their provinces are administrative units rather than political units with separate powers.

In a true federal system, some powers are constitutionally reserved for the states of provinces. The Central Government has direct authority over the people concerning powers granted to it in the constitution. This distinguishes a federal system from a loose grouping of states, commonly called a confederation. A confederation can only act through its individual member states.

THE INDIAN FEDERAL GOVERNMENT

India has a parliamentary system of government. Parliament meets at New Delhi, the capital of India. It consists of Lok Sabha (House of the People) and Rajya Sabha (Council of States). The Prime Minister is the leader of the political party that has the most seats in Parliament. The President appoints the Prime Minister to office. The Prime Minister chooses a Cabinet and heads the government with the support of Parliament. If Parliament withdraws its support, the President either dismisses the Prime Minister or dissolves the Lok Sabha and calls a new election. The President is elected by Parliament and all the state legislatures to a five year term.

Representatives of the state and territories make up Parliament. The number of representatives from each increases or decreases as the population of the state or territory changes. Most of the 544 members of the Lok Sabha are elected by the voters. They serve five year terms, unless the Lok Sabha is dissolved. Most of the 244 member Rajya Sabha are elected by state legislatures. They serve six year terms and one third are elected every two years. A few members of each body are appointed by the President.

A Supreme Court heads India's court / legal system. Each state in India has a High Court and various lower courts.