QUESTION 3
GS2
10 marks
How far do you think cooperation, competition and confrontation have shaped the nature of federation in India? Cite some recent examples to validate your answer.
WRITE IN
7 min
150 words
What the examiner wants
Judge how far cooperation, competition and confrontation each shape Indian federalism, with recent examples.
How farAnswer exactly what the question asks.
Demand-wise check
- 1Cooperation: GST Council, NITI Aayog Governing Council, COVID vaccination coordination≈30 words
- 2Competition: ease of doing business rankings, investment summits, Aspirational Districts, state rankings≈30 words
- 3Confrontation: Governor–state disputes (Tamil Nadu, Kerala, Punjab), CBI consent withdrawal, farm laws, GST compensation≈30 words
- 4Assessment: mix varies by issue; need for Inter-State Council and dialogue≈30 words
Open in about 20 words and close in about 20.
Answer plan
Brief frameworkThree forces with examplesOverall assessmentConclusion
Where marks usually go
- No recent cases, e.g. GST Council, Governor–Tamil Nadu dispute, CBI consent withdrawal
- Only cooperative federalism
Draw this
- Triangle: cooperation, competition, confrontation with examples at each corner
Value addition
- CaseState of Tamil Nadu v Governor of Tamil Nadu (April 2025): the Supreme Court set time limits for Governors to act on bills.Supreme Court, 2025
- FactThe GST Council (Article 279A) takes decisions by three-fourths weighted vote, with the Centre holding one-third weight.Constitution of India
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Abhishek Singh · Page 5 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
Next: plan for one minute, write it in 7 minutes, then get it checked.