Supreme Court asks States, UTs to consider raising retirement age of judicial officers from 60 to 61 years

Option A is correct. In a federal system, power is distributed between the central government and the states. There can be disputes about the division of power or interpretation of the Constitution.
An independent judiciary acts as an impartial umpire to settle these disputes and uphold the Constitution. It ensures that both the central government and the states function within their constitutional boundaries.The other options, while relevant to Indian polity, are not exclusive to federal systems Option B is incorrect. The Union Legislature having elected representatives from constituent units is a common feature in both federal and some unitary states with devolved power. Option C is incorrect. The Union Cabinet having elected representatives from regional parties is not a defining characteristic of federalism. Political party affiliation doesn't necessarily determine the federal structure. Option D is incorrect. The Fundamental Rights being enforceable by Courts of Law, while essential for a democracy, this feature exists even in some non-federal states.

Article 131 of the Constitution of India provides for the original jurisdiction of the Supreme Court to settle the disputes between the different units of the Indian Federation such as between the Centre and one or more states and, between the states.

Statement I is Correct: Any change in the Union List alters the distribution of legislative powers and requires ratification by at least half of the State Legislatures. Statement II is Correct: Changes affecting the extent of a State’s executive power also need ratification by not less than one-half of the States. Statement III is Incorrect: Conditions of the Governor’s office can be amended by Parliament alone and do not require ratification by States.

The Sarkaria Commission was established by the Government of India in 1983 to review Centre-State relations and recommend improvements. One of its key areas of focus was the appointment of Governors. Recommendations on the Appointment of Governor: - The Governor should be an eminent person with a distinguished record in public life. - The person must be from outside the State to ensure impartiality in administration. - The Governor should not have participated in active politics for some time prior to the appointment. - He should be a detached figure, not closely linked to local politics, to maintain neutrality. - The appointment process should involve wider consultation, including the Chief Minister of the State, the Vice President of India, and the Speaker of the Lok Sabha. These recommendations were aimed at ensuring that the Governor functions as an independent and neutral constitutional authority, rather than a political appointee of the ruling party at the Centre.

Option 'A' is incorrect: The 7th Amendment permitted the appointment of the same person as Governor for two or more states. This was implemented to streamline administration, particularly during the period of state reorganisation. Option 'B' is incorrect: The judges of the High Court are also appointed by the President, like the Judges of the Supreme Court. Option 'C' is correct: No procedure for the removal of the Governor is mentioned in the Constitution, as the Governor works under the pleasure of the President. Option 'D' is incorrect: The Chief Minister of a Union Territory is appointed by the President, not LG.

Indian federalism is characterized by key features such as an independent judiciary, a clear division of powers between the Centre and the States, and unequal representation of States in the Rajya Sabha, all of which are enshrined in the Indian Constitution. However, unlike classical federations like the United States, Indian federalism is not the outcome of an agreement among the federating units. The Indian Constitution, which lays down the framework for India's federal structure, was not created through an agreement among the federating units but was adopted by the Constituent Assembly of India.

The 15th Finance Commission made recommendations to promote better fiscal discipline, education, and agriculture reforms, while adjusting tax devolution among states. ✅ Statement I: Correct 4,800 crores were recommended (2022–23 to 2025–26) to incentivize states for improving educational outcomes. ❌ Statement II: Incorrect The Commission recommended 41% of Union taxes to be shared with states, not 45%. ✅ Statement III: Correct It proposed a ₹45,000 crore performance-based incentive for states to implement agricultural reforms. ✅ Statement IV: Correct It reintroduced the 'tax effort' criterion, rewarding states that better mobilize revenue in relation to their GSDP.

Inter-State quarantine falls under the purview of the Union List (List I) in the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution. This is because matters of inter-state significance, especially those related to health and disease control, are best handled by the central government to ensure uniformity and prevent the spread of diseases across state borders. _Let's examine why the other options are incorrect:_ *  Option A is incorrect: Inter-State trade and commerce is explicitly mentioned in the Union List (List I), giving the central government the power to regulate commerce that transcends state boundaries. * Option B is incorrect While individual states have some powers related to internal migration, Inter state migration is mentioned in the Union List. * Option D is incorrect Corporation tax, levied on the net income of companies, is a subject under the Union List. However, the Constitution allows for the sharing of corporation tax revenue with states.

When an area is declared a Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution, it continues to be administered by the State Government, but with special powers granted to the Governor for tribal welfare. ❌ Statement I: Incorrect The State Government does not lose its executive powers. There is no provision for a local body to take over full administration. ❌ Statement II: Incorrect The Union Government cannot take over total administration of Scheduled Areas under the Fifth Schedule, even on the Governor’s recommendation.

In the federation established by the Government of India Act of 1935, the residuary power was given to the Governor General. This means that the Governor General had the authority to deal with any legislative matters that weren't explicitly assigned to either the federal legislature or the provincial legislatures. This gave the Governor General significant control over the legislative process.

Statements 1 and 2 are correct as per the article. Statement 3 is incorrect because the Supreme Court has directed States/UTs to consider raising the retirement age of district judicial officers to 61 years as an interim measure, not 62 years. The petition seeks a uniform enhancement to 62 years, but the interim directive is for 61 years.

As per the article, the Supreme Court directed 'All State governments and union territories (UTs) are directed to take a decision, in consultation with their respective jurisdictional High Courts, on this issue. In case they agree, judicial officers in such states shall be permitted to continue in service up to the age of 61 years.' Option A is incorrect as the directive is for 61 years as an interim measure, not a uniform enhancement to 62. Option C is incorrect as consultation with state governments is explicitly mentioned. Option D is not mentioned in the article regarding district judicial officers.

The article explicitly states: 'The issue arises against the backdrop of the top court’s 2002 judgment declining to accept the recommendation of the Justice K. Jagannatha Shetty Commission, which had proposed raising the retirement age of district judges to 62 years.'