UPSC Mains 2026 GS2 Q13: model answer
How far has the Indian federal framework been successful in accommodating regional and cultural diversities? Highlight the role of asymmetric federalism and suggest measures to make dispute resolution mechanisms more effective.
What the question wants
Three parts: (1) a balanced judgement of success; (2) asymmetric federalism with examples; (3) reforms for Centre–State and inter-State dispute resolution.
How to structure it
Intro: 'holding together' federalism. Body: successes; strains; asymmetry (Art 371 series, Sixth Schedule, Fifth Schedule); dispute mechanisms and reforms. Conclusion.
- 1Successes
- 2Strains
- 3Asymmetry (Art 371 series, Sixth Schedule, Fifth Schedule)
- 4Dispute mechanisms and reforms
Model answer
India is a 'holding-together' federation: a strong Centre, flexible enough to accommodate one of the world's most diverse societies. On balance it has succeeded, with periodic strain.
- 1Linguistic states (1956)
- 2Sixth Schedule councils in the North-East
- 3Art. 371 special provisions
- 4New states 2000 and 2014
- 5Strain points: GST compensation, Governor, Art. 356
Successes
- Linguistic reorganisation (States Reorganisation Act, 1956) and new States (Uttarakhand, Jharkhand, Chhattisgarh in 2000; Telangana in 2014) absorbed identity demands democratically.
- Eighth Schedule languages, a three-language formula and protection of minority rights (Articles 29–30).
- Insurgencies in Mizoram and parts of the North-East ended through accords and constitutional space.
Asymmetric federalism
- Article 371 series (371A for Nagaland, 371G for Mizoram, 371D for Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, 371J for Hyderabad-Karnataka) protects customary law, land and local jobs.
- Sixth Schedule autonomous district councils in Assam, Meghalaya, Tripura and Mizoram; Fifth Schedule and PESA for central Indian tribal areas.
- Union Territories with legislatures (Delhi, Puducherry); the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir in 2019 shows the asymmetry can also be reduced.
Strains
- Fiscal centralisation (cesses outside the divisible pool), Governor–State friction, use of central agencies, and inter-State water disputes (Cauvery, Mahadayi) and border disputes.
Making dispute resolution more effective
- Activate the Inter-State Council (Article 263) with regular meetings and a standing secretariat, as the Punchhi Commission urged.
- A permanent inter-State water disputes tribunal with fixed timelines (Inter-State River Water Disputes Amendment Bill).
- Strengthen Zonal Councils and the GST Council's dispute mechanism.
- Use Article 131 cases sparingly; prefer negotiated settlement backed by data.
Conclusion: India's federalism succeeded because it was flexible. Cooperative and competitive federalism, plus better institutional dialogue, will keep diversity a strength.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
holding-together federation States Reorganisation Act 1956 Article 371 series Sixth Schedule Inter-State Council Art 263 Punchhi Commission Article 131 Zonal Councils
Where most answers lose marks
- Only praising; 'how far' needs a balanced verdict.
- Not giving examples of asymmetric provisions.
- Skipping the third part on dispute mechanisms.
Same theme in Prelims
Which of the following statements with respect to the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) is/are correct ?
- 1. The period of its implementation is 1st April, 2021 to 31st March, 2026.
- 2. The key objective of the Revamped RGSA is to develop the governance capabilities of the Panchayati Raj Institutions to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals.
- 3. The share of the Central funding for the Revamped RGSA is 100% for all States and Union Territories.
Select the answer using the code given below :
Answer (b) & explanation
Only statement 2 is correct (b). Statement 2 is right: the Revamped RGSA aims to build the governance capacity of Panchayati Raj Institutions to deliver on the SDGs. Statement 1 is wrong: it was approved in 2022 to run from 2022-23 to 2025-26, not from April 2021. Statement 3 is wrong: funding is shared 60:40 with States (90:10 for north-eastern and hill States); only Union Territories get 100%. So options (a), (c) and (d) fail.
Notice the link: the RGSA uses the Localisation of SDGs approach through nine themes, such as poverty-free and healthy villages. The 73rd Amendment (1992) gave Panchayats constitutional status. 24 April is National Panchayati Raj Day.
"100% for all" is the giveaway. Centrally sponsored schemes almost always share costs with States.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Consider the following statements :
- I. Panchayats at the intermediate level exist in all States.
- II. To be eligible to be a Member of a Panchayat at the intermediate level, a person should attain the age of thirty years.
- III. The Chief Minister of a State constitutes a commission to review the financial position of Panchayats at the intermediate levels and to make recommendations regarding the distribution of net proceeds of taxes and duties, leviable by the State, between the State and Panchayats at the intermediate level.
Which of the statements given above are not correct?
Answer (d) & explanation
All three statements are not correct (d). Statement I is wrong: Article 243B lets States with a population under 20 lakh skip the intermediate level, so it does not exist in all States. Statement II is wrong: the minimum age is 21, not 30 (Article 243F). Statement III is wrong: the State Finance Commission is set up by the Governor under Article 243I, not the Chief Minister, and it reviews all panchayats. So all three are not correct.
Notice the trap: the question asks which are not correct. Other 73rd Amendment (1992) features: a State Election Commission (Article 243K), one-third seats for women (many States give 50%), and the Eleventh Schedule with 29 subjects.
the question asks for statements that are not correct. Circle "not" before you start.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
With reference to India, consider the following :
- I. The Inter-State Council
- II. The National Security Council
- III. Zonal Councils
How many of the above were established as per the provisions of the Constitution of India?
Answer (a) & explanation
Only one was set up under the Constitution (a). Item I is right: the Inter-State Council rests on Article 263, which lets the President set it up; it was formed in 1990, after the Sarkaria Commission advised it. Item III is wrong: Zonal Councils come from the States Reorganisation Act, 1956, an ordinary law, so they are statutory. Item II is wrong: the National Security Council (1998) was set up by an executive decision. So options (b), (c) and (d) fail.
Notice the pattern UPSC tests: constitutional bodies (Finance Commission, Election Commission, CAG), statutory bodies (NHRC, Zonal Councils) and executive bodies (NITI Aayog, NSC). The Union Home Minister chairs all five Zonal Councils. The North Eastern Council is a separate statutory body.
"council" in all three names. Ask where each one's power comes from: Constitution, Act or government order.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Fresh examples from current affairs
21st Maritime State Development Council: first MSDC under the Indian Ports Act, 2025
The 21st Maritime State Development Council met in Mumbai on 13 October 2026. It was the first MSDC after the Indian Ports Act, 2025 (notified 15 May 2026) made the Council a statutory body. Members adopted Vision 2030 and 2047 targets and set March 2027 deadlines for One Nation One Port Process and Maritime Single Window integration.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Ports Act 2025 date, MSDC, ONOP, Sagar Setu, SbPCP/BCSPS. · Mains GS-III: ports and shipbuilding; GS-II: cooperative federalism.
13 Oct 2026
57th GST Council: arrest provisions to go, prosecution threshold raised to ₹5 crore
The 57th GST Council meeting on 8 October 2026 focused on process reform rather than rates. It recommended removing arrest powers under GST, raising the prosecution threshold from ₹1 crore to ₹5 crore, cutting the general penalty from ₹25,000 to ₹10,000, no notices below ₹10,000 tax, wider input tax credit and refunds, and limits on interception of goods in transit.
UPSC angle: Prelims: GST Council structure, Article 279A. · Mains GS-III: indirect tax reform; GS-II: fiscal federalism.
8 Oct 2026
National framework to strengthen ITDAs/ITDPs released
On 15 August 2026 the Ministry of Tribal Affairs and NITI Aayog released the National Framework and the Operational Guidelines for Strengthening of ITDAs and ITDPs. They come from a nationwide consultation and score each agency on 15 parameters. Each ITDA will prepare its own Performance Improvement Roadmap, with quarterly monitoring by States.
UPSC angle: Prelims: Tribal Sub-Plan.
15 Aug 2026
Seven years since abrogation of Article 370
On 5 August 2026 the Prime Minister marked seven years since Articles 370 and 35(A) ceased to operate in 2019, calling 5 August 2019 a defining milestone. He said the full application of the Constitution has empowered women and marginalised communities in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh. The change rested on two Presidential Orders, C.O. 272 and C.O. 273.
UPSC angle: Prelims: J&K reorganisation.
5 Aug 2026Learn the concept
Question text as printed in the official UPSC question paper: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/QP-CSM-26-010926-GENERAL-STUDIES-PAPER%20-%20II.pdf The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.