Union-State Relations – NDA Polity PYQs

NDA 2014-I

Q. 1. Which one among the following is not a characteristic of a federal system?

(a)  There are two distinct levels of government

(b)  The responsibilities and powers of each level of government are clearly defined in a written Constitution

(c)  There is no separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches of government

(d)  A Supreme Court is entrusted with the responsibility of interpreting these provisions and arbitrating in matters of dispute

Answer: (c) There is no separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches of government

Explanation: Options (a), (b), and (d) are all genuine characteristics of a federal system. Two distinct levels of government: Union and States: is the defining feature of federalism. A written constitution specifying each level’s powers and an independent Supreme Court to arbitrate are also essential federal characteristics. Option (c): no separation of powers between the legislative and executive branches: is NOT a characteristic of a federal system. It is a characteristic of a parliamentary system. Federalism concerns the vertical distribution of powers between levels of government (Union vs States). Separation of powers concerns the horizontal distribution within a single level (legislature, executive, judiciary). These operate on different axes. A country can be federal with either a parliamentary system (no strict separation of legislature and executive, as in India and the UK) or a presidential system (strict separation, as in the USA). Federalism and separation of powers are independent concepts. Concept Tested: Federal system non-characteristic: absence of separation of powers between legislature and executive is a parliamentary system feature, not a federal feature

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: Federalism:  vertical division (Centre vs States). Separation of powers:  horizontal division (legislature vs executive vs judiciary). These are different axes. India has a parliamentary system (executive drawn from legislature: no strict separation) within a federal framework. This parliamentary feature does not affect the federal character.

 NDA 2011-II

Q. 2. Which of the following statements with regard to the Federal System is/are correct?

1. In a federation, two sets of governments co-exist and there is distribution of power.
2. There is a written constitution.

(a)  1 only

(b)  2 only

(c)  Both 1 and 2

(d)  Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: (c) Both 1 and 2

Explanation: Both statements describe defining characteristics of a federal system. Statement 1: In a federation, two sets of governments coexist: the federal/Union government and the state/provincial governments: and powers are distributed between them. This is the fundamental feature of any federal arrangement. Statement 2: A written constitution is essential to a federal system. The constitution is the instrument through which the division of powers is specified, protected, and enforced. Without a written constitution, the federal division could be altered by ordinary legislation. Both statements are correct. Concept Tested: Federal system characteristics: two coexisting governments with distributed powers; written constitution

Q. 3. Which one among the following pairs is not correctly matched?

(a)  Union List: Banking

(b)  State List: Agriculture

(c)  Concurrent List: Marriage

(d)  Residuary List: Education

Answer: (d) Residuary List: Education

Explanation: Options (a), (b), and (c) are correctly matched. Banking is a Union List subject (Entry 45, List I). Agriculture is a State List subject (Entry 14, List II). Marriage and Divorce is a Concurrent List subject (Entry 5, List III). All three are correctly placed. Option (d): Residuary List: Education: is incorrectly matched on two counts. First, there is no ‘Residuary List’ in the Constitution. The Constitution has three legislative lists: Union (I), State (II), and Concurrent (III). Residuary powers vest in Parliament under Article 248; they are not in a separate list. Second, Education is not a residuary subject. It is explicitly listed as Entry 25 of the Concurrent List. Before the 42nd Constitutional Amendment (1976), Education was in the State List. The 42nd Amendment transferred it to the Concurrent List, where it currently remains. Concept Tested: Residuary List does not exist; Education is in the Concurrent List (Entry 25) not residuary; Banking:  Union, Agriculture:  State, Marriage:  Concurrent

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: Two separate errors in option (d): (1) ‘Residuary List’ is not a constitutional term: there are only three lists; and (2) Education is in the Concurrent List (since the 42nd Amendment, 1976). Residuary powers vest in Parliament under Article 248, but there is no list of residuary subjects. Residual matters are unlisted by definition.

 NDA 2010-I

Q. 4. Which of the following statements is/are not violative of the principle of federalism?

1. The President of India takes over administration of provinces under the emergency provisions.
2. The Parliament of India has exclusive power to make any law with respect to any matter not enumerated in the Concurrent List or State List.
3. The distribution of powers between the Union and Provinces is done through three different lists enumerated in the Constitution of India.

(a)  1 and 2

(b)  2 and 3

(c)  3 only

(d)  1 and 3

Answer: (b)  2 and 3

Explanation: Statement 1 describes the emergency provisions under Article 356 (President’s Rule), by which the Union takes over State administration. This is generally recognised as a suspension of the federal principle: concentrating power at the Centre that ordinarily belongs to States. Statement 2 describes residuary powers under Article 248: Parliament’s exclusive power to legislate on subjects not in the State List or Concurrent List. While this tilts power toward the Centre, it is part of the constitutional scheme of distributing legislative powers and is NOT violative of the federal principle as designed in the Indian Constitution. Statement 3 describes the three-list distribution of legislative powers (Union, State, Concurrent). This is the core expression of Indian federalism and is plainly not violative of it. Statements 2 and 3 are not violative of the federal principle. The answer is (b). Concept Tested: Federal principle: three-list distribution and residuary powers are consistent with Indian federalism; President’s Rule is a federal suspension

 NDA 2009-II

Q. 5. Which among the following is the exclusive jurisdiction of the State Government?

(a)  Corporation tax

(b)  Customs duty

(c)  Sales tax

(d)  Income tax

Answer: (c) Sales tax

Explanation: Sales tax is a State List subject (Entry 54, List II). It is the exclusive jurisdiction of State Governments. Corporation tax is a Union List subject (Entry 85, List I): exclusive to Parliament. Customs duty is a Union List subject (Entry 83, List I): exclusive to Parliament, as it concerns international trade regulation. Income tax (other than agricultural income) is a Union List subject (Entry 82, List I): exclusive to Parliament. Among the four options, only sales tax falls under the exclusive jurisdiction of State Governments. Concept Tested: Taxation: sales tax is an exclusive State subject; corporation tax, customs duty, and income tax are Union subjects

★ JOVIK Exam Insight: Agricultural income tax is a State subject (Entry 46, State List): distinguished from non-agricultural income tax (Union). Sales tax has been largely subsumed into the Goods and Services Tax since 2016, but the constitutional categorisation as a state subject remains relevant.

 NDA 2009-I

Q. 6. The entry ‘Public Health and Sanitation’ is included in the Constitution of India in

(a)  Union List

(b)  State List

(c)  Concurrent List

(d)  None of the above

Answer: (b) State List

Explanation: Public Health and Sanitation is Entry 6 of the State List (List II of the Seventh Schedule). It is placed in the State List because public health measures: hospitals, dispensaries, sanitation standards, preventive health measures: vary considerably in needs and priorities across different regions of India. State governments are closer to local conditions and are therefore the appropriate regulatory authority. Public Health is not a Union or Concurrent List subject. Concept Tested: Public Health and Sanitation: State List subject (Entry 6, List II of Seventh Schedule)

---