GS Paper II · Federalism
Centre-State Relations Current Affairs for UPSC (GS Paper II)
From the syllabus: 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
Why it matters: Examiners test the administrative and legislative friction points that challenge cooperative governance between the union government and federating units.
In the news
October 2026
11 Oct 2026
Federal Emergency Imposed in Pakistan's Khyber PakhtunkhwaThe President of Pakistan declared an emergency in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, resulting in the cessation of the provincial government's authority. The decree allows the federal government to assume executive and legislative powers over the...
03 Oct 2026
The Imperative of Restoring Full Statehood to Jammu and KashmirFollowing the democratic exercise of assembly elections, there is growing momentum demanding the immediate restoration of full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Legal and constitutional experts argue that continuing its status as a Union...
September 2026
28 Sep 2026
Karnataka Rejects Ecologically Sensitive Area Framework of Kasturirangan ReportThe ongoing debate over conserving the Western Ghats has intensified after Karnataka expressed reservations against notifying Ecologically Sensitive Areas (ESAs) as recommended by the Kasturirangan Committee report. The State government...
26 Sep 2026
Inter-State Boundary Dispute Between Karnataka and Andhra PradeshBallari MP Tukaram has written to the Union Home Ministry and the Inter-State Council Secretariat seeking central intervention to resolve the boundary dispute between Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh. The request urges coordination between...
25 Sep 2026
Mineral Rights Legislation Raises Revenue Concerns for StatesLegislators in mineral-rich states like Odisha have raised concerns over recent parliamentary amendments to mining laws that curb the power of state governments to impose additional taxes and cesses on mineral rights. State authorities...
17 Sep 2026
Mining Law Amendments Spark Concerns Over State RevenuesRecent amendments to central mining laws have raised key questions regarding fiscal federalism and state revenue shares. States bearing the infrastructural, environmental, and social burdens of mineral extraction contend that they must...
06 Sep 2026
Bihar Mandates Prior State Sanction for CBI Probes Against State EmployeesThe Bihar government has withdrawn its general consent to the Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI), making prior state permission mandatory before investigating state government employees. However, the notification clarifies that the...
August 2026
25 Aug 2026
Simultaneous Elections Possible by 2029, High-Level Panel IndicatesThe head of the high-level committee on simultaneous elections stated that holding synchronized elections for the Lok Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, and local bodies is feasible by 2029. Implementing the 'One Nation, One Election'...
19 Aug 2026
Fiscal Stress and Escalating Borrowings in State FinancesMid-year fiscal data indicates that several Indian states are experiencing revenue collections well below annual budget projections. As a consequence, states have utilized over half of their annual borrowing limits within the first four...
17 Aug 2026
Federal Concerns Raised Over Proposed Mining Amendment ActOpposition to the proposed Mining Amendment Act has intensified among several states over concerns regarding fiscal federalism. Resource-rich states rely heavily on taxing mineral resources to generate non-tax revenue and argue that...
July 2026
23 Jul 2026
States Lag in Mandatory CCTV Installation inside Police StationsRecent performance data reveals a stark contrast among Indian states in complying with Supreme Court directives to install CCTV cameras in all police stations to curb custodial violence. While Himachal Pradesh is currently the only...
16 Jul 2026
Calls Intensify for the Restoration of Statehood to Jammu and KashmirNational editorials and political movements have renewed the call for the Union Government to fulfill its promise of restoring full statehood to Jammu and Kashmir. Following the completion of democratic local processes and a stabilizing...
14 Jul 2026
Sixth Schedule Demands and Ladakh's Constitutional StatusThe ongoing hunger strike led by climate activist Sonam Wangchuk in Ladakh has renewed national focus on the region's demands for constitutional safeguards. Protesters are demanding inclusion under the Sixth Schedule of the Indian...
12 Jul 2026
Tamil Nadu Proposes Joint Funding for Chennai MRTS RevampThe Tamil Nadu government has urged the Union government to treat the 6,600 crore Chennai Mass Rapid Transit System (MRTS) revamp as a Central sector project. The proposed plan aims to upgrade the existing railway stations and passenger...
11 Jul 2026
Joint Panel States One Nation One Election May Be Ready by 2029The joint committee chairperson P.P. Chaudhary announced that the administrative mechanism for the One Nation, One Election model is expected to be ready for rollout by 2029. He claimed that nearly 99 percent of the civil society...
08 Jul 2026
Southern States Oppose Proposed Changes to Food Security LawTamil Nadu and Kerala have voiced strong concerns over proposed amendments to the National Food Security Act (NFSA). The states argue that the new allocation models and restructured urban-to-rural coverage ratios could unfairly reduce...
04 Jul 2026
Nehru-Tara Singh Pact (1959) and State Legislation on Gurdwara AffairsRenewed debates between the Punjab Government and the Akal Takht over the telecast rights of sacred ceremonies have brought historical accords back into focus. The Nehru-Tara Singh Pact of 1959 established a vital federal and religious...
03 Jul 2026
Constitutional Nuances of Cow Slaughter Regulations and Article 48Tamil Nadu's decision to approach the Supreme Court against a Madras High Court directive has brought the focus back to state-level cow slaughter legislations. The case highlights the delicate balance between state-level police powers...
Practise Centre-State Relations
10 of our latest questions on this topic.
Question 1 of 10
In comparative constitutional studies, executive declarations of emergency that dissolve or suspend provincial administrations due to political breakdown are functionally comparable to which provision of the Indian Constitution?
Mains practice
In an evolving national and global landscape, balancing socio-economic growth with environmental sustainability, ease of governance, and cooperative federalism poses significant policy choices. Discuss how strategic economic reforms, social security expansion, and ecological restoration can collectively drive India's inclusive development trajectory.
15 marks
The proposed Mining Amendment Act highlights the delicate balance between central regulatory authority and the fiscal autonomy of states. Analyze this statement in the context of Indian cooperative federalism and the distribution of financial resources.
15 marks
The re-issuance of the draft notification for the Western Ghats Eco-Sensitive Zone (ESZ) highlights the persistent conflict between environmental conservation and regional developmental aspirations. Critically analyze the challenges in implementing the Madhav Gadgil and K. Kasturirangan committee recommendations in the context of cooperative federalism.
15 marks
Previous years' questions
Past exam questions sorted by topic are coming here. Until then, the full papers are in our previous papers library.