PSIR Optional · Paper I · Section B: Indian Government and Politics
Federalism Notes · PYQs · Solved Answers
Free notes, every previous year question and the solved answers for Federalism (Paper I, Section B: Indian Government and Politics), arranged so you can read a topic and immediately see how UPSC has asked it. Syllabus: Constitutional provisions, changing Centre-state relations, integrationist tendencies, regional aspirations, inter-state disputes.
28
Solved answers
1994–2026
Years covered
30
Questions listed
5
Free notes
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Free notes Previous year questions Solved answers All PSIR Optional units
Paper I · Unit 07
Federalism notes
Topic-wise notes for this unit in syllabus order. Read a topic, then open its previous year questions below.
Free notes
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Federalism in India: Constitutional Provisions and the Nature of the Indian Model
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Fiscal Federalism and Centre-State Financial Relations in India
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Integrationist Tendencies and Regional Aspirations in Indian Federalism
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Inter-State Disputes and Mechanisms of Inter-State Coordination in India
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The Changing Nature of Centre-State Relations in India
Free practice
Previous year questions: Federalism
Every question UPSC has asked from this unit, year-wise, with a link to its solved answer.
Topic-wise question list
Year-wise question papers
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UPSC PSIR Optional Question Paper 2026
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2025
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2024
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2023
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2022
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2021
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2020
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2019
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2018
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2017
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2016
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2015
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2014
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PSIR Optional Question Paper 2013
Solved answers
Solved PYQ answers: Federalism
Model answers to the previous year questions of this unit, newest exam year first.
PYQ Solutions
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Evaluate the Centre-State relation with reference to Article 293 and analyze its implications for the Indian federal structure.
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Discuss the causes and consequences of inter-State water disputes in India.
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The recent developments in Indian Politics has not eroded the true spirit of federalism in India. Critically examine this statement with the help of appropriate illustrations.
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Does the actual working of Indian federalism conform to the centralizing tendencies in Indian polity? Give reasons for your answer.
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Discuss the composition and functions of the Inter-State Council. To what extent has this body been successful in achieving its objectives?
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Do you think that there has been a gradual shift in the basis on which the demands for the creation of new States have been raised in different regions of India? Explain.
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Answer in 150 words: Mechanism for settling inter-state disputes.
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Does the functioning of the federalism in India tend to make it appear as a unitary state in practice?
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Despite constitutional mandate, the Inter-State Council has not come of age. Discuss.
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Comment in 150 words: Implementation of GST and NEET is a major challenge to Indian federalism.
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Discuss asymmetrical federalism in India.
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Indian federation has moved from cooperative federation to competitive federation. Comment.
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Comment: The philosophy and Comment: Economic liberalisation in India administration of the distribution of powers between Centre and state is required to be re-assessed.
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Comment in 150 words: Cooperative Federalism in India.
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Identify the contested areas in Centre-State relations in India.
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“Cooperative federalism produces a strong central, or general government, yet it does not necessarily result in weak provincial governments that are largely administrative agencies for central policies. Indian federation has demonstrated this.” (Granville Austin). Examine the uniqueness of Indian federalism in the light of the above statement.
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Comment on Demands for the creation of new States in India. (150 words)
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Examine the efficacy of available mechanisms for resolving Inter-State disputes in India.
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Critically examine and comment on the assertion in about 200 words: It is not constitutional law but political factors that ultimately determine Centre-States relations in India.
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Comment: Inter – state water disputes.
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Critically examine and comment: “Articles 2 and 3 of the Indian Constitution are inconsistent with the spirit of federalism.”
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Comment on Inter State Committees.
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Discuss whether coalitional politics has led to a different pattern of federalism in India.
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Comment: Factors for the growth of regionalism in India.
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Comment: ‘Shared rule’ to be as important as ‘self-rule’ in explaining the possibility of federal power sharing.
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What are the salient features of Sarkaria Commission Report as regard to federal restructuring in India with special reference to autonomy demand by states?
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Comment: Cooperative federalism in India-its problems and prospects.
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Trace and analyse the co-operative trends in Indian federalism.
PSIR Optional study material from LotusArise IAS
Two ways to prepare with us — the full self-study system, or just the notes you need right now.
| What you get | PSIR Mains Master Kit 2027 | PSIR Complete Notes (Store) |
|---|---|---|
| Paper 1 notes — Political Theory + Indian Government and Politics | Included | Included — Section A and Section B |
| Paper 2 notes — Comparative Politics and India and the World | Included | Included — Section A and Section B |
| Topic-wise PYQ bank | 1986–2026, with trend analysis and probables by Dec 2026 | 1991–2025 question papers, free with every notes pack |
| Practice question set for timed answer writing | ✅ Available now | ❌ |
| Answer toolkit — intros, conclusions, frameworks, thinker and example banks | By Dec 2026 | ❌ |
| Revision booklets for the last 60 days | ✅ Available now | ❌ |
| Format | Online articles + PDF | PDF download |
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| Price | ₹1,770 (regular ₹5,000) | ₹1,180 for all four sections · ₹599 a paper · ₹354 a section |
| Best for | Aspirants who want the whole system in one place | Aspirants who want the notes now, in the parts they need |
Other units in Paper I · Section B: Indian Government and Politics
- Indian Nationalism
- Making of the Indian Constitution
- Salient Features of the Indian Constitution
- Principal Organs of Government
- Grassroots Democracy
- Statutory Institutions and Commissions
- Planning and Economic Development
- Caste, Religion and Ethnicity in Indian Politics
- Party System
- Social Movements
Paper I · Section B: Indian Government and Politics — section overview · All PSIR Optional units