Describe any three characteristics of the Indian federal system.

(i) There are two or more tiers of government. India has a government at the centre and at the states.

(ii) The different tiers of government govern the same citizens, but each tier has its own jurisdiction in specific matters of legislation, taxation and administration.

(iii) The jurisdictions of the respective levels or tiers of government are specified in the Constitution.

(iv) Fundamental provisions of the Constitution cannot be changed unilaterally by only one level of the government.

(v) Courts have the power to interpret the Constitution and the highest courts act as an umpire in case of a dispute between the different levels of government.

(vi) Sources of revenue for each level of government are clearly specified.