India is a country with immense diversity in terms of ethnicity, culture, language, religion, and regional identities. This diverse character of Indian society made the adoption of a federal system both necessary and significant. Drawing upon constitutional provisions and scholarly interpretations, this article analyses key features of Indian federalism, including bicameralism, asymmetrical arrangements, and prefectorial tendencies that vest greater authority in the Union government. This study further explores the major challenges confronting Indian federalism. The article argues that Indian federalism represents a unique and pragmatic model originated from the country's historical and socio-political context. It concludes that while federal principles remain constitutionally embedded, their effective functioning depends on cooperative and balanced Centre-State relations to sustain unity and accommodate diversity.
Sonali Basak (2026) studied this question.