UPSC Static Quiz – Polity : 19 May 2026

Solution: C

Statement-I is correct. Article 3 of the Constitution empowers the Indian Parliament to form new states, alter the areas, boundaries, or names of existing states. This can be done by a simple majority and does not require a special majority or ratification by states, although the President must refer the bill to the concerned state legislature for expressing its views within a specified period. However, Parliament is not bound by these views.

Statement-II is incorrect. The Indian Constitution does not guarantee the territorial integrity or continued existence of the states. Parliament can unilaterally alter the map of India. This is why India is often described as “an indestructible Union of destructible states”. This provision highlights a significant unitary feature of the Indian Constitution, contrasting with federations where the consent of the affected states might be mandatory for altering their boundaries. Therefore, Statement-I is correct, but Statement-II is incorrect.

Solution: B

1. Single Citizenship: India provides for single citizenship, meaning all citizens, irrespective of the state in which they are born or reside, enjoy the same political and civil rights of citizenship all over the country. This is a distinct unitary feature, unlike classical federations like the USA which have dual citizenship (national and state).
2. Integrated Judiciary: India has an integrated judicial system with the Supreme Court at the apex and state high courts below it. This single system of courts enforces both Central and state laws, which is a unitary feature. In a typical federation, there might be separate federal and state court systems.
3. Appointment of State Governors by the President: The Governor of a state is appointed by the President and holds office during the pleasure of the President. The Governor also acts as an agent of the Centre in the state. This provision enables the Union government to exercise control over the state administration, which is a significant unitary feature.
4. Bicameral Legislature at the Centre: A bicameral legislature (like the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha in India) is often considered a federal feature, especially if the upper house (Rajya Sabha) represents the states of the federation. While the Rajya Sabha does represent states, its powers are not co-equal with Lok Sabha in all respects, and the representation is not strictly equal for all states, but based on population. However, bicameralism itself is more aligned with federal principles than unitary ones.

Solution: D

2. Written Constitution (2. Federal): A written constitution is an essential feature of a federal system. It clearly defines the structure, organization, powers, and functions of both the central and state governments and the limits within which they must operate. This written document serves as a common basis for the governance of the federation and helps avoid misunderstandings and disagreements between the two levels of government.
3. Flexible Constitution (for certain parts) (1. Unitary): While the Indian Constitution has provisions that are difficult to amend (requiring special majority and ratification by states, a federal feature), many of its provisions can be amended by a simple majority of Parliament, similar to ordinary laws. This flexibility, particularly for aspects that do not affect federal balance, is considered a unitary feature as it allows the central legislature to easily modify the constitutional framework.
4. Supremacy of the Constitution (2. Federal): In a federal state, the constitution is the supreme law of the land. The laws enacted by both the Centre and the states must conform to its provisions. Any law violating the provisions of the constitution can be declared void by the judiciary. This supremacy is essential to maintain the federal structure and ensure that neither level of government encroaches upon the powers of the other.

Solution: B

Statement 1 is incorrect. The phrase “Union of States” in Article 1 of the Indian Constitution was deliberately chosen by the Constituent Assembly to signify that the Indian federation is not the result of an agreement among the states, unlike the American federation. The states did not come together to form the Union; rather, India was already a single entity that was administratively divided into states.

Statement 2 is correct. The term “Union” also implies that the states have no right to secede from the federation. The federation is an indissoluble Union, meaning its territorial integrity is paramount, and no state has the authority to break away.

Statement 3 is correct. The federation is termed a “Union” because it is indestructible. This means that the country is one integral whole, divided into different states only for the convenience of administration. This emphasizes the unity and integrity of the nation, a key aspect highlighted by the choice of the word “Union” over “Federation” in Article 1. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar clarified this in the Constituent Assembly.

Solution: D

The Indian Constitution, while federal in structure, has provisions that allow it to function as a unitary system under certain circumstances:

1. a) Rajya Sabha resolution (Article 249): If the Rajya Sabha declares by a resolution supported by not less than two-thirds of the members present and voting that it is necessary in the national interest that Parliament should make laws with respect to any matter enumerated in the State List, Parliament becomes empowered to legislate on that matter for the whole or any part of India. This temporarily allows the Centre to encroach upon the legislative domain of states.

1. b) National Emergency (Article 352): During a National Emergency, the executive power of the Union extends to giving directions to any state as to the manner in which its executive power is to be exercised. Parliament becomes empowered to make laws on any matter in the State List. The financial arrangements between the Union and States can also be modified by the President. This effectively converts the federal structure into a unitary one.

1. c) President’s Rule (Article 356): When President’s Rule is imposed in a state, the President can assume to himself all or any of the functions of the State Government and the powers vested in or exercisable by the Governor or any body or authority in the State. The state government is dismissed, and the state assembly is either dissolved or kept in suspended animation. This is a clear instance of the Centre taking over state machinery.

All these situations demonstrate the flexible nature of Indian federalism and its capacity to acquire unitary characteristics.