QUESTION 13
GS2
15 marks
What changes has the Union Government recently introduced in the domain of Centre-State relations? Suggest measures to be adopted to build the trust between the Centre and the States and for strengthening federalism.
WRITE IN
11 min
250 words
What the examiner wants
Identify recent changes in Centre–State relations and suggest measures to build trust and strengthen federalism.
SuggestPropose specific, workable measures.
Demand-wise check
- 1Recent changes: GST and GST Council, abolition of Planning Commission and NITI Aayog, 14th/15th Finance Commission devolution, cesses and surcharges, central agencies' jurisdiction, Governors and pending bills, J&K reorganisation≈65 words
- 2Trust deficit areas: fiscal share, Governor's role, central agencies, language≈65 words
- 3Measures: Inter-State Council, Punchhi and Sarkaria recommendations, cap on cesses, fixed time for assent≈65 words
Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.
Answer plan
Recent changesPoints of frictionMeasuresConclusion
Where marks usually go
- Listing old history (Sarkaria) without recent changes
- No concrete trust-building measure
Draw this
- Two-column table: change → effect on trust
Value addition
- Case lawState of Tamil Nadu v. Governor of Tamil Nadu (April 2025): the Supreme Court set time limits for Governors to act on bills.Supreme Court of India, 2025
- DataCesses and surcharges, which are not shared with states, rose to about a fifth of gross tax revenue in recent years.Union Budget documents / Fifteenth Finance Commission
Mapped topper copies
Reviewed public-source references related to this PYQ. Same-syllabus references are labelled separately.
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 29 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Alfred Thomas · Page 9 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Akash Kumar · AIR 101 · Page 13 ↗Reviewed PYQ reference
- Shakti Dubey · AIR 1 · Page 23 ↗Same syllabus reference
Links open original public sources. MainsBuddy does not host these answer sheets.
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