Though the federal principle is dominant in our Constitution and that principle is one of its basic features, but it is equally true that federalism under the Indian Constitution leans in favour of a strong Centre, a feature that militates against the concept of strong federalism. Discuss.

Introduction

The Constitution creates a dual polity with a division of powers under the Seventh Schedule, an independent judiciary and constitutional supremacy—unmistakably federal features. In S.R. Bommai v. Union of India (1994), the Supreme Court held federalism to be part of the basic structure. Yet the same document deliberately arms the Centre with overriding powers.

The pro-Centre tilt

• Article 1 creates an indestructible Union of destructible States; Parliament can redraw State boundaries under Article 3 without State consent.
• Legislative dominance: Union List primacy and the repugnancy rule (Article 254), residuary powers with the Centre (Article 248), and Rajya Sabha's power to open State subjects to Parliament (Article 249).
• Emergency provisions (Articles 352, 356, 360) can render the polity virtually unitary; Article 356 was widely misused until Bommai imposed judicial checks.
• Centrally appointed Governors and reservation of State Bills (Articles 200-201), All India Services (Article 312), single citizenship and a single Constitution.
• Fiscal centralisation: States depend on Finance Commission transfers, need Central consent to borrow (Article 293), and cesses and surcharges remain outside the divisible pool.

Why the framers chose this design

Partition, integration of princely states and planned development demanded a strong Centre. Ambedkar defended a Constitution 'both unitary as well as federal according to the requirements of time and circumstances'; K.C. Wheare called it 'quasi-federal'.

Conclusion

Indian federalism is thus centralised by design yet federal in its basic identity. Institutions like the GST Council, respect for fiscal shares, and judicial policing of Article 356 and Governors' conduct must keep the balance from tipping into centralism.