Given below are two statements:
Statement I: India's form of federalism is best seen as an original rather than a derivative or diminished form.
Statement II: India has defined its own constitutional practice of federalism rather than following earlier blueprint.
In light of the above statements, choose the most appropriate answer from the options given below.

Correct option is A

Statement I is correct as India's federalism is unique and can be seen as an original model. Unlike classic federal systems like that of the United States or Canada, India's federalism combines both unitary and federal features, making it distinctive. The central government holds significant powers, but states also have their own rights. This combination has given India its own federal identity.
Statement II is also true because India’s federal system was shaped by its own historical, cultural, and political context. The framers of the Constitution did not follow any specific blueprint from earlier federal systems. Instead, they developed a federal system that could accommodate India's vast diversity while ensuring strong national unity. The practice of "quasi-federalism," where powers are distributed between the center and the states, but the center holds supremacy in many areas, reflects a creative constitutional design rather than a mere replication of existing models.
Information Booster:
1. India's federal system is often described as "quasi-federal", where there is a mix of federal and unitary features.
2. The Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution divides powers between the Union and State governments into three lists: Union List, State List, and Concurrent List.
3. The Indian Constitution allows for a strong central authority, especially during times of emergency, unlike classic federations where states hold more sovereignty.
4. The Supreme Court of India has described India’s federalism as “ cooperative federalism,” meaning the Union and states work together on common goals.
5. India's federalism is flexible, as seen in the formation of new states like Telangana in 2014.
6. The framers of the Constitution, under B.R. Ambedkar, tailored the federal structure to India's needs, including the ability to adjust state boundaries and the use of President’s Rule.