2. Power-sharing in India: a. Overview of federalism in India

Federalism in India refers to the system of governance where power is divided between the central government and the state governments. It is a key aspect of India's constitutional framework and plays a vital role in accommodating the country's diverse social, linguistic, cultural, and regional identities. Here is an overview of federalism in India:

1. Constitutional Basis: The federal structure of India is enshrined in its Constitution, which was adopted in 1950. The Constitution defines the powers and responsibilities of the central government, as well as the state governments. It establishes a dual polity, where both the central and state governments have their separate spheres of authority.

2. Division of Powers: The Constitution delineates the division of powers between the central government and the state governments through three lists: the Union List, the State List, and the Concurrent List. The Union List includes subjects on which only the central government can legislate, such as defense, foreign affairs, and currency. The State List comprises matters on which only the state governments have legislative authority, such as police, public health, and local government. The Concurrent List contains subjects on which both the central and state governments can legislate, such as criminal law, marriage, and bankruptcy.

3. Independent Jurisdiction: The Constitution establishes an independent judiciary with the Supreme Court as the highest judicial authority. The judiciary acts as a neutral arbiter in resolving disputes between the central and state governments, ensuring that the federal principles are upheld.

4. Financial Arrangements: Federalism in India is also characterized by fiscal federalism, where resources are shared between the central government and the state governments. The Constitution provides for the distribution of financial resources through taxes, grants, and other fiscal instruments. The Finance Commission, a constitutional body, is responsible for recommending the sharing of financial resources between the center and the states.

5. Asymmetric Federalism: India's federalism is marked by asymmetry in power distribution. Certain states have been granted special status and enjoy greater autonomy in decision-making. For example, Jammu and Kashmir had its own constitution and enjoyed greater legislative and executive powers until 2019 when its special status was revoked. Similarly, other states like Nagaland, Mizoram, and Manipur have provisions for special administrative and legislative arrangements to address specific regional concerns.

6. Cooperative Federalism: In recent years, there has been a growing emphasis on cooperative federalism in India. This concept promotes collaboration and cooperation between the central government and the state governments to jointly address policy challenges and promote development. It involves regular consultations, coordination, and sharing of resources to ensure effective governance and inclusive decision-making.

Federalism in India serves as a mechanism to accommodate the country's immense diversity and preserve regional identities within a unified framework. It allows for local autonomy, protects minority rights, fosters democratic governance, and enables the participation of diverse groups in the decision-making process. However, federalism in India is an evolving concept, and its dynamics continue to be shaped by political, social, and economic factors, as well as evolving interpretations by the judiciary.