Which one of the following in Indian polity is an essential feature th

Which one of the following in Indian polity is an essential feature that indicates that it is federal in character?

The independence of judiciary is safeguarded.
The Union Legislature has elected representatives from constituent units.
The Union Cabinet can have elected representatives from regional parties.
The Fundamental Rights are enforceable by Courts of Law.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC IAS – 2021
The correct answer is A) The independence of judiciary is safeguarded.
– An independent judiciary is a vital feature of a federal system. It acts as the interpreter and guardian of the constitution and resolves disputes between the Union and the states, ensuring that each level of government operates within its constitutionally defined sphere. This independent role in upholding the division of powers is a key indicator of a federal structure.
– Option B (Union Legislature has elected representatives from constituent units) refers to bicameralism with representation for states (like the Rajya Sabha), which is also a feature found in federations, but the independence of the judiciary is often considered the most critical safeguard for the federal division of powers.
– Option C (Union Cabinet can have elected representatives from regional parties) describes a political outcome based on elections and coalition politics, not an essential structural feature of the federal system itself.
– Option D (Fundamental Rights are enforceable by Courts of Law) relates to the protection of individual liberties and the rule of law in a democratic state, which is present in many types of states (federal or unitary), and is not exclusively indicative of federalism.