What is the concept of cooperative federalism in India?

Cooperative Federalism in India reflects an ideology of a stable relationship between the centre and other units. It guides all the governing bodies to come forward and cooperate to resolve common social, political, economic and civic problems.

Who called Indian federalism as cooperative federalism?

Granville Austin called Indian federalism as "Cooperative federalism". Cooperative federalism means a combination of cooperation and interdependence between the Centre and the States to ensure smooth governance of the country.

Is GST example of cooperative federalism?

The GST Council has been the finest example of collaborative and cooperative federalism where in the States and Center indulge in dialogue and constructive discourse in order to resolve issues pertaining to the GST regime and in a way always yearn to meet on common grounds which is mutually beneficial.

What is the principle of cooperative federalism?

Cooperative federalism ensures that state governments have a degree of autonomy and can make decisions that are in the best interests of their residents. This protects the rights of states and prevents the central government from becoming too powerful.

Why India is called a federalism country?

India is called federal country as it follows federal system of government, is a system in which powers are divided between central and state governments.

Cooperative Federalism in India, Importance and Concept

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India’s federal system gets a boost through Cooperative Federalism in India, where the central and state governments join hands, enabling them to address shared issues effectively. NITI Aayog is the central platform uniting states as ‘Team India’ to promote cooperative federalism and good governance. Federalism derives from the Latin word “foedus,” meaning agreement, signifying a federation as a pact between two levels of government that share authority and operate in their respective domains under common sovereignty.

This concept is crucial for the UPSC IAS Examination, particularly in General Studies Paper 2 (Mains) and General Studies Paper 1 (Prelims) within the Polity section. This article will discuss the background, importance, challenges, and key features of cooperative federalism in the Indian federal system.

What is Cooperative Federalism?

Cooperative Federalism in India is a model of governance in federal systems that highlights collaboration between the central and regional governments. It moves away from a siloed approach where each level acts independently and instead fosters a spirit of partnership to tackle national issues. This can involve joint efforts in areas like infrastructure development, disaster management, and economic reforms.

Effective communication and consensus-building are crucial for success, while states retain autonomy in specific areas like education and law and order. This collaborative approach offers the potential for more effective policies, faster implementation, and better resource allocation, ultimately aiming to build a more unified and prosperous nation.

Polity Notes for UPSC

Case Laws on Cooperative Federalism in India

The Indian Constitution establishes a federal system, but the concept of cooperative federalism isn’t explicitly mentioned. However, several landmark Supreme Court judgments have played a crucial role in shaping its interpretation and implementation. Here’s a glimpse into some key cases:

State of Rajasthan v. Union of India (1977): This case is considered a cornerstone of cooperative federalism. The court emphasized the need for the Centre and states to work together for national goals, highlighting that the “success of our federal experiment depends upon harmonious relations between the Union and the States.”
T.N. Cauvery Sangam v. Union of India (1990): This case dealt with water-sharing disputes between states. The court recognized the Centre’s role in facilitating cooperation and establishing inter-state tribunals for dispute resolution, underlining the importance of a collaborative approach in managing shared resources.
S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994): This judgment addressed the issue of President’s Rule in states. The court emphasized the need for respecting the autonomy of states and exercising central control only under exceptional circumstances. This case reinforces the principle of respecting state autonomy within a cooperative framework.
In Re: Kerala vs. Centre (2012): This case concerned the implementation of the National Food Security Act. The court highlighted the Centre’s responsibility to consult with states and provide financial and logistical support while acknowledging the state’s role in implementing the scheme.
P.U.C. Cellulose Ltd. v. Commissioner of Commercial Taxes (2019): This case dealt with the interpretation of the Goods and Services Tax (GST). The court emphasized the collaborative spirit of GST, requiring both the Centre and states to work together for its smooth implementation.

These are just a few examples, and the interpretation of cooperative federalism continues to evolve through judicial pronouncements. The core message remains constant: a successful federal system hinges on collaboration, mutual respect, and a shared vision for national progress.

Also Read: Federalism In Indian Polity UPSC

Cooperative Federalism in India

India operates under a federal system where power is shared between the central government and states. Cooperative federalism in India promotes collaboration between these levels, moving from strict division to a unified approach in addressing national challenges.

Examples of Cooperative Competitive Federalism in India

Goods and Services Tax (GST): The implementation of the GST in 2017, a nationwide tax reform, stands as a significant example of cooperative federalism. Both the central and state governments had to work together to design, implement, and manage this complex tax system.
NITI Aayog: This government think tank serves as a platform for bringing states together to work on a “Team India” approach for development. NITI Aayog facilitates discussions, proposes collaborative strategies, and fosters communication between the center and states.
Disaster Management: When natural disasters strike, a unified response is crucial. Cooperative federalism allows the central government to provide resources and expertise, while states leverage their local knowledge and infrastructure for effective disaster response and recovery.

Challenges to Cooperative Federalism in India

Relations between the Centre and the States should be guided by the spirit of cooperative federalism, fostering collaboration both among various states and between the states and Panchayati Raj Institutions and Urban Local Bodies. However, in practice, states in India often focus on safeguarding their constitutional rights, as enshrined in the Constitution’s Seventh Schedule, and frequently invoke federalist principles to protect themselves from central encroachment. Several challenges hinder the realization of cooperative federalism in India, including:

Central Government Interference in State Matters
Imbalance of Power Between Centre and State Governments
Regional Disparities Between States
Fiscal Autonomy of State Governments
Administrative Bottlenecks
Political Polarization

Cooperative Federalism Examples in India

Cooperative federalism in India is exemplified by the Goods and Services Tax (GST) and the collaborative policy-making approach of NITI Aayog. These initiatives highlight the coordination between central and state governments. Some of the points are mentioned below to explain it importance.

Central Government Interference in State Matters: Political interference in the functioning of state governments is common, which can hinder cooperative relationships and undermine the principles of cooperative federalism.
Imbalance of Power Between Centre and State Governments: The central government possesses more resources and authority, leading to state governments feeling marginalized and unable to exercise their constitutional powers effectively.
Regional Disparities Between States: Disparities in economic development, infrastructure, and resources create challenges. These disparities result in issues such as violent conflicts and unplanned migration, with the central government sometimes focusing more on developed states, leaving less developed states with fewer resources and opportunities.
Fiscal Autonomy of State Governments: State governments depend on the central government for funding, which limits their fiscal autonomy. The central government can use its fiscal power to influence state policy decisions, detrimental to the spirit of cooperative federalism.
Administrative Bottlenecks: Bureaucratic hurdles and administrative inefficiencies can delay policy and program implementation, undermining cooperative federalism’s effectiveness.
Political Polarization: Political polarization can lead to a breakdown of communication and cooperation between the central and state governments, further challenging the principles of cooperative federalism.

Cooperative Federalism Niti Aayog

NITI Aayog, which replaced the Planning Commission, advocates a bottom-up approach to development planning and aims to foster competitive federalism by encouraging state and UT performance. It promotes healthy competition among states through transparent rankings and a hands-on approach. Some indices and reports released by NITI Aayog include:

State Health Index
School Education Quality Index
Composite Water Management Index
Sustainable Development Goals Index
India Innovation Index
Export Competitiveness Index
Additionally, NITI Aayog publishes monthly delta rankings for the performance of Aspirational Districts.