GS II: Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. 

Question 1: What is asymmetrical federalism? Enumerate the political and fiscal features of asymmetrical federalism in India.

Approach: Introduction about Asymmetrical federalism- political framework- fiscal framework- way forward.

Key:

India is not the only country with asymmetrical arrangements in its federal setup. Belgium, Germany, Canada and Spain are among other such examples. Thus this normative idea is neither new nor only locally relevant.

Asymmetric Federalism:

Political asymmetrical frameworks:

Fiscal asymmetrical frameworks:

Way Forward:

~Source The Hindu

https://www.thehindu.com/opinion/op-ed/in-a-system-of-asymmetrical-federalism-india-must-remain-a-mosaic/article65769808.ece

GS II Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein. 

Question 2: Coalition governments have shown greater allegiance to the constitutional promise than super-majority governments. Analyse.

Approach: Introduction about coalition and majority governments- compare the performances of both the governments including the positives and negatives- conclusion.

Key:

Conventional wisdom says that a single-party government with a strong mandate will have the ability to place economics above politics, and pursue the reform agenda that India needs to boost growth. Coalitions are viewed unfavourably – among pundits, financial analysts and armchair economists – as they might let political considerations trump sound economics.

Comparing the performances of majority and minority governments:

On account of better performance on objective indicators, better representation of the population, and lower proclivity to embark on destructive policies, the Indian experience suggests that coalitions are not necessarily worse than single-party majorities. They may even be better.

~Source The Hindu

https://www.thehindu.com/news/national/the-spectrum-of-law-making-in-independent-india/article65769509.ece