Indian Federal Structure

The makers of the Indian constitution have incorporated the principals of federalism in the constitution by studying the principals and experience of other federations. However, owing to the situation prevailing at the time of independence the framers of Indian constitution incorporated some peculiar features in the constitution which gave union government upper hand over the state government. Since the inception of our constitution there has been diverse opinion among the scholars regarding true nature of Indian constitution, most of the western thinkers have from time and again labelled Indian constitution as unitary or quasi federal constitution. However these peculiar features which are incorporated by the farmers of the constitution are not alien to other constitution or federations. A close look to the other federations reveals that the extraordinary features provided under Indian constitution are present in one or the other federal constitution. Also the working of the various federations reveals that over the period of time the union Government through large financial resources and through various judicial pronouncements has gained upper hand over the states.