Federalism and Decentralisation (Video Notes)

Vocabulary flashcards covering key terms from the notes on federalism, decentralisation, and local governance in India.

Federalism

A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and regional units, with two levels of government and constitutionally defined jurisdictions.

Unitary system

A system in which the central government holds primary power and sub‑units are subordinate to it; central directives can be issued to sub‑units.

Central Government

The national level government responsible for subjects of national importance.

Regional Government

State or provincial government responsible for day‑to‑day administration within its territory.

Union List

List of subjects on which only the Union Government can legislate.

State List

List of subjects on which only the State Governments can legislate.

Concurrent List

Subjects on which both Union and State Governments can legislate; Union law prevails in case of conflict.

Residual powers

Subjects not listed in the three lists; typically fall under central government’s power to legislate.

Jurisdiction

The area or domain in which a level of government has legal authority.

Constitutional amendment (federal change)

Process requiring consent of both levels of government; in India, ratification by at least half the state legislatures.

Umpire (Judiciary)

The role of the highest court to interpret the constitution and settle disputes between levels of government.

Revenue autonomy

Each level’s clearly specified sources of revenue to ensure financial independence.

Coming together federation

Independent states join to form a larger unit by pooling sovereignty (e.g., USA, Switzerland, Australia).

Holding together federation

A large country divides power between national and state governments, with a stronger central government and often unequal powers (e.g., India, Spain, Belgium).

Linguistic States

States created on the basis of language to ensure speakers of the same language live together.

Language Policy

Constitution does not designate a single national language; Hindi is official; 21 Scheduled Languages; English allowed; states have official languages.

Centre-State relations

Interactions and arrangements between the central and state governments; strengthened by coalition politics since 1990.

Decentralisation

Transfer of power from central and state governments to local government.

Panchayati Raj

Rural local self-government system in which villages have gram panchayats.

Gram Panchayat

Village‑level decision‑making body; directly elected; supervised by the gram sabha.

Gram Sabha

General assembly of all voters in a village; oversees the gram panchayat and approves budgets.

Panchayat Samiti

Block‑level elected body coordinating several gram panchayats within a block.

Zilla Parishad

District‑level elected body; includes directly elected members and some MPs/MLAs; chaired by the chairperson.

Municipality

Urban local government for towns; elected body with a municipal chairperson.

Municipal Corporation

Urban local government for big cities; elected body with a mayor as political head.

Union Territories

Territories not equal to states; central government has special powers; do not have full state powers.