“COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM IN INDIA: CONSTITUTIONAL VISION, CONTEMPORARY PRACTICE, AND THE REALITY OF CENTRE–STATE RELATIONS”

AUTHOR – SIDDHARTH RAJ, STUDENT AT AMITY UNIVERSITY, NOIDA

BEST CITATION – SIDDHARTH RAJ, “COOPERATIVE FEDERALISM IN INDIA: CONSTITUTIONAL VISION, CONTEMPORARY PRACTICE, AND THE REALITY OF CENTRE–STATE RELATIONS”, INDIAN JOURNAL OF LEGAL REVIEW (IJLR), 6 (6) OF 2026, PG. 192-200, APIS – 3920 – 0001 & ISSN – 2583-2344. DOI – https://doi.org/10.65393/IJLRV6I621

ABSTRACT

Cooperative federalism in India represents a constitutional vision that seeks to harmonise the distribution of powers between the Union and the States while promoting coordination, mutual respect, and shared responsibility in governance. “The Constitution of India establishes a federal structure with a strong unitary bias, reflected in the division of legislative, administrative, and financial powers under the Seventh Schedule, the presence of a single Constitution, and emergency provisions.” Despite this structural asymmetry, the framers envisaged cooperation rather than competition as the guiding principle of Centre–State relations, recognising India’s socio-economic diversity and the need for national unity alongside regional autonomy. “Cooperative federalism in India is a concept where national, state, and local governments work together to address common problems.” In contemporary practice, cooperative federalism has evolved through institutional mechanisms such as the “Inter-State Council, Finance Commission, Planning Commission (and later NITI Aayog), and GST Council”, which aim to facilitate dialogue, fiscal coordination, and policy convergence between different levels of government. “Judicial interpretation has also played a crucial role in shaping cooperative federalism, with the Supreme Court emphasising federal balance, constitutional morality, and the importance of consultation in landmark cases concerning legislative competence, fiscal autonomy, and the use of central powers under Articles 256, 356, and 365”.

Thus, cooperative federalism in India remains a dynamic and contested concept, balancing constitutional ideals with political and administrative realities. Strengthening genuine dialogue, fiscal transparency, and respect for constitutional boundaries is essential to transform cooperative federalism from a normative aspiration into a lived constitutional reality.

Keywords: “Cooperative Federalism, Competitive Federalism, Indian Constitution, Centre-State Relations, NITI Aayog, Goods and Services Tax, Inter-State Council.”