Evolution of centre-state relations in India
The Indian Constitution was adopted on November 26, 1949, and came into force on January 26, 1950. It is universally believed that our Constitution is an organic living institution. It is flexible yet resilient, designed to meet the needs and requirements of a fast changing and rapidly developing society. The federal system of governance has been discussed at length in various Articles of the Constitution outlining and determining the relationship between the Central and State Governments. At the same time, from the functional stand point, the Constitution does not restrict itself to a static format but lends to satiate to a dynamic process. The turn of events at the time of country’s partition preceding the birth of free India impelled the Constituent Assembly to opt for a “Union of States” with a strong Centre, keeping away from the idea of a loose federation that had engaged the attention of the framers of the Constitution initially. In the last six decades since the Constitution has come into force 95 amendments have taken place, with several of these having direct bearing on Centre-State relations.