The vesting of ‘residuary’ powers in the central government by the Constitution of India indicates :
[amp_mcq option1=”that India is a federal polity.” option2=”that India is neither federal nor unitary.” option3=”that India is quasi federal.” option4=”unitary character of Indian polity.” correct=”option4″]
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CAPF – 2010
– Giving these unenumerated powers to the central government is a feature that strengthens the centre relative to the states.
– This centralizing tendency is a characteristic of a unitary bias or unitary features within a federal or quasi-federal structure.
– While India is often described as quasi-federal (option C), the *specific indication* of vesting residuary powers in the centre points towards the strength of the union government, which is a unitary characteristic. Purely federal systems might vest residuary powers with the states (like in the USA).