19.

Explain six provisions of the Indian political system that give it a Unitary character. 

The provisions are:

i. Single Citizenship: The Indian federation is a dual polity with a single citizenship for the whole of India. There is no State citizenship. Every Indian has the same rights of citizenship, no matter in which State he resides.

ii. A Strong Centre: The result of the distribution of powers between the federation and the units is that the State Governments are governments of limited and enumerated powers. Though the Union Government is also a government of limited and enumerated powers, it has, under certain circumstances, power even over the State Governments and the residuary power over the whole territory.

iii. Single Constitution for Union and States: Indian Constitution embodies not only the Constitution of the Union but also those of the States. Furthermore, the States of the Indian Union have a uniform Constitution. The amending process both for the Constitution of the Union and the States is also the same.

iv. Centre Can Change Name and Boundaries of States: In India, the Centre has a right to change the boundaries of the States and to carve out one State out of the other. In fact, this has been done in India, not only once but several times. In the fifties, Andhra Pradesh was carved out of Madras State.

v. Single Unified Judiciary: In India, the Supreme Court and the High Court’s form a single integrated judicial system. They have jurisdiction over cases arising under the same laws, constitutional, civil and criminal. The civil and the criminal laws are codified and are applicable to the entire country. To ensure their uniformity, they are placed in the Concurrent List.

vi. Unitary in Emergencies: The Indian Constitution is designed to work as a federal government in normal times, but as a unitary government in times of emergency. Under the Constitution, the President of the Republic has been given emergency powers. An emergency can arise both in the political and financial fields.