At a Glance:

Government Portal

Year became a federation: 1949

Current constitution in force since: 1950

Constituent units:28 states, 6 union territories, 1 national capital territory

Association of Municipal Governments

Head of State: President

Head of Government: Prime Minister

Legislature:
Upper House:
Rajya Sabha (House of States)
Lower House:
Lok Sabha (House of the People)

 

India
2nd rountable on public security and federalism held in India
The Forum co-organized a roundtable on security and federalism in India with the Centre for Public Affairs (CPA). The event, held in New Delhi on April 29, 2010, was convened by Dr Ajay Mehra, in   More Information

IndiaOur work in India

Since 2002 the Forum has worked with local partners in India to organize learning events on critical issues ranging from the decentralization of health care delivery to how to manage megacities.

Federalism in India

India is a parliamentary democracy that is federal in character. The parliament is bicameral, with a House of the People and a House of States. Jurisdictional disputes between the central government and the states are handled by the Inter-State Council.

India achieved independence from Britain in 1947 and a constitution emphasizing a strong central government came into effect in 1950. A move toward multi-level federalism in the 1980s has meant a growing role for local bodies.

Having led the independence movement, the Indian National Congress party became India’s dominant party into the 1970s. In the 2009 general elections it emerged as the largest party in the House of the People, Parliament’s lower house, and formed the government with a coalition of allies. Such a coalition representing various interests within the federal system helps increase the accountability of the central government.

A few of India’s 94 constitutional amendments have been described as an attempt by the central government to shift the balance of power away from the states. However, in 1992, the 73rd amendment was passed, which empowered and strengthened the role of rural and village councils known as panchayats, providing them with new powers and funding, and requiring that women must hold at least one-third of the seats on these bodies.

Since the 1990s, the emergence of regional parties and the advent of coalition politics on the national level has shifted power from the central government to the states.

Year joined the Forum of Federations: 2005

  • Forum Vice President for Governance: Rupak Chattopadhyay

  • Forum board member for India: Mukul Joshi