This post helps you understand how federalism has been practised in India since independence. It also explains the laguage policy adopted by India , the creation of linguistic states and their outcomes. In addition, it discusses the period when the central government was more powerful and the effects of coalition governments.
Chapter – 2
Federalism – Part 3
How is Federalism Practised in India?
- Nature of democratic politics is the main reason for success of federalism
Steps Towards Federalism
1. Linguistic States
- People who speak the same language live in the same state
- Examples: Maharashtra, Andhra Pradesh, Tamil Nadu, Punjab
- States also created based on culture, ethnicity, or geography: Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand
Creation of Linguistic States:
- Made the country more united
- Made administration easier
2. Language Policy
- Constitution doesn’t recognise any language as a national language
- Official Language: Hindi
- Use of English for official purpose: Till 1965
- Non-Hindi states like Tamil Nadu demanded continuation of English
- Movement in favour of English took a violent form in Tamil Nadu
- Central govt agreed to continue English along with Hindi
- State governments permitted to use their own language
- 22 scheduled languages listed in the 8th Schedule
- Candidates in central govt exams can use any scheduled language
- Census 2011: 121 major languages in India
- Hindi is the mother tongue of 44% Indians
📌 Federalism in India – Class 10 Notes (Part 2)
3. Centre-State Relations
a) Single Party Rule (After Independence)
- Same party ruled both Centre and State
- States had limited rights
- States had to follow Centre’s directives
b) Era of Rival Politics
- Different parties ruled at Centre and State
- Centre misused power to dismiss state govts using President’s Rule
- It undermined federalism
c) Era of Coalition After 1990
- Rise of regional political parties and coalition governments
- New culture of power sharing
- Respect for autonomy of state governments
Coalition Government:
- Formed by two or more political parties coming together
Judgement of Supreme Court:
- Made it difficult for the central govt to arbitrarily dismiss state governments
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Land Degradation, Alluvial and Black Soils – Class 10 Notes
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Power Sharing – Class 10 Important Questions and Answers
