Constituent Assembly debate on Federalism

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The Constituent Assembly debate on Federalism was a series of discussions held in the Constituent Assembly of India between 1946 and 1950 on the issue of federalism. The debate was important because it helped to shape the structure of the Indian government and the relationship between the central government and the states.

The debate was initiated by Jawaharlal Nehru, who argued that India should be a federal state. He believed that a federal system would be the best way to accommodate the diversity of India and to prevent the dominance of any one region or group. Other members of the Constituent Assembly, such as Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, also supported a federal system. However, there were some members who opposed federalism, such as C. Rajagopalachari. They argued that a federal system would weaken the central government and make it difficult to maintain unity in India.

The debate on federalism was long and heated. In the end, the Constituent Assembly adopted a federal system for India. The Constitution of India, which was adopted in 1950, provides for a federal system of government with a strong central government and a number of states. The central government has powers over matters such as defense, foreign affairs, and currency. The states have powers over matters such as education, health, and agriculture.

The federal system of government in India has been successful in accommodating the diversity of the country and in preventing the dominance of any one region or group. However, the system has also been criticized for being too complex and for giving too much power to the central government.

Frequently asked questions

  1. What is federalism?
    Federalism is a system of government in which power is shared between a central government and a number of regional governments.

  2. What is the Constituent Assembly?
    The Constituent Assembly was a body of elected representatives that was responsible for drafting the Constitution of India.

  3. When was the Constituent Assembly debate on Federalism held?
    The Constituent Assembly debate on Federalism was held between 1946 and 1950.

  4. Who were the main participants in the debate?
    The main participants in the debate were Jawaharlal Nehru, Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, C. Rajagopalachari, and other members of the Constituent Assembly.

  5. What was the outcome of the debate?
    The outcome of the debate was that the Constituent Assembly adopted a federal system for India.

MCQs

  1. Which of the following is not a power of the central government in India?
    (A) Defense
    (B) Foreign affairs
    (C) Currency
    (D) Education

  2. Which of the following is not a power of the states in India?
    (A) Education
    (B) Health
    (C) Agriculture
    (D) Defense

  3. The federal system of government in India has been successful in:
    (A) Accommodating the diversity of the country
    (B) Preventing the dominance of any one region or group
    (C) Both (A) and (B)
    (D) Neither (A) nor (B)

  4. The federal system of government in India has been criticized for:
    (A) Being too complex
    (B) Giving too much power to the central government
    (C) Both (A) and (B)
    (D) Neither (A) nor (B)

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