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UPSC 2024 GS-II · 15 marks · 250 words

What changes has the Union Government recently introduced in the domain of Centre-State relations? Suggest measures to be adopted to build the trust between the Centre and the States and for strengthening federalism.

केंद्र-राज्य संबंधों के क्षेत्र में संघ सरकार ने हाल में क्या परिवर्तन किए हैं? केंद्र और राज्यों के बीच विश्वास-निर्माण तथा संघवाद को सुदृढ़ करने हेतु अपनाए जाने योग्य उपाय सुझाइए।

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  • Recent changes: GST regime and Council's voting design; cess-surcharge share rising outside the divisible pool (~23%); central schemes' branding conditions; DBT centralisation; J&K reorganisation (2019); all-India NEET/entrance centralisation
  • Friction evidence: state resolutions against central laws, Governor-assent standoffs (Punjab, TN, Kerala — SC's Nov 2023 Punjab ruling)
  • Trust measures: activate Inter-State Council (Art 263, Punchhi recommendations), restore fiscal space (Finance Commission route over cesses), consult states on concurrent-list legislation (Sarkaria)
  • Punchhi on Governor conduct: fixed-term appointments, consultation with CM
  • Anchor case law: S.R. Bommai (1994) on federalism as basic structure

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