Federalism in India: Federal and Unitary Features, Cooperative Federalism and UPSC PYQs
Federalism for UPSC: federal and unitary features of the Indian Constitution, why India is called quasi-federal, cooperative federalism and real PYQs.
Cooperative Federalism
Cooperative Federalism (Parliamentary & Federal System).
Syllabus: UPSC Pre GS1: Indian Polity and Governance; Mains GS2
Explainers
In the news
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
NITI releases Investment Friendliness Index for States
NITI Aayog released the Investment Friendliness Index (IFI) on 17 July 2026. It rates all 28 States and 8 Union Territories on eight pillars and 84 indicators, mixing hard data with an investor survey. Gujarat, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, Goa and Odisha are the Top Performers. The Index was announced in the Union Budget 2025-26.
UPSC angle: Prelims: NITI indices.
17 Jul 2026
West Bengal becomes 36th State/UT to join AB PM-JAY
West Bengal became the 36th State/UT to implement Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY on 8 June 2026, when the National Health Authority signed an MoU with the State. About 1.43 crore families, nearly 6 crore people, will get cashless hospital cover of up to ₹5 lakh per family a year. The Centre expects to contribute nearly ₹1,000 crore annually.
UPSC angle: Prelims: PM-JAY cover.
8 Jun 2026
Indian Ports Act, 2025 replaces the 1908 law
Non-major ports are under states; a statutory council is needed for joint planning.
UPSC angle: Prelims: MSDC.
28 Sep 2025
NITI Aayog State Support Mission workshop in Dehradun
State think tanks are how NITI's cooperative federalism reaches the ground.
UPSC angle: Prelims: SSM, SITs.
3 Jun 2025