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Polity & Current Affairs WT POL

Weekly Mains Question CA 05

Polity
1. The Constitution of India envisages the Finance Commission as the balancing wheel of fiscal federalism
in India. Discuss. (10 Marks, 150 Words)

2. The effectiveness and stability of a federal system rely on strong cooperation and coordination between
governments. Explain the methods of central control over state governments.
(10 Marks, 150 Words)

3. What are the key criticisms regarding the functioning of the collegium system in India? Also suggest
some reforms and improvements that may be necessary to address these concerns.
(10 Marks, 150 Words)

4. Discuss the functional challenges faced by the Election Commission of India. Mention how these issues
can be addressed. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

Current Affairs
5. The recently concluded BRICS Summit in Kazan highlighted the need for equitable global governance
and peace through dialogue, but it appears strong on intent and weak on concrete commitments.
Discuss. (15 Marks, 250 Words)
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1. The Constitution of India envisages the Finance Commission as the balancing wheel of fiscal federalism
in India. Discuss. (10 Marks, 150 Words)

How to Approach the Question:

 Introduction: Introduce your answer by writing about the Finance Commission and its role.
 Body:
 Briefly explain how it acts as a balancing when of fiscal federalism.
 Highlight the significance of the Finance Commission as a balancing wheel of fiscal federalism.
Also, briefly write its criticism.
 Conclusion: Conclude your answer by suggesting some reforms.

Answer:
Introduction:
Finance commission is a quasi-judicial constitutional body under Article 280 constituted by the President
every five years to recommend distribution of net proceeds of tax between centre and state. As most
revenue-generating items lie in union lists making the centre financially stronger than state. FC provides for
impartial and non-political manner for distribution of resources between centre and state. Hence, act as
a balancing wheel of fiscal federalism.
Body:
Significance of Finance Commission (FC) as balancing wheel of fiscal federalism:
 Determines Vertical Devolution (Devolution of Taxes of the Union to States): It determines the
percentage of divisible pool that needs to be distributed to the states. For instance, 15th FC
recommended 41% tax devolution.
 Determines Horizontal Devolution (Allocation Between the States): It determines the principals on
the basis of which funds are allocated between states. For Instance, 15th FC has given 10% weightage
to forest and ecology when distributing funds between states.
 Grants to Local Governments: FC provides grants for various activities like drinking water, rainwater
harvesting, sanitation etc. For Instance, performance-based grants for building new cities to urban
local bodies.
 Grants to States: Revenue deficit grant to meet the fiscal needs of the States. Performance Based
Grants for sectors like health, sanitation, rural economy etc.
However, scholars have pointed out limitations in FC’s functioning as balancing wheel of fiscal
federalism due to the following reasons:
 Undermining of FC: Till 2015 Planning Commission and NITI Aayog after that have undermined
the role of FC.
 Undermining autonomy of states: Performance linked incentives undermine the autonomy of states
and local government.
 Recommendations not binding: Its recommendations are only advisory and not binding upon the Union
Government.
 Temporary body: It is a temporary body, thus, does not oversee the implementation of its
recommendation and suggest reform if needed.
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These limitations can be addressed through:

 Increasing grants: Increasing untied grants to states to be utilised as per local requirements.
 Non Political role: Ensuring the non-political nature of recommendations of FC. For example: TOR
(Terms of reference) of 15th FC became controversial because of politics.
 Regulating union fiscal prudence: Regulating union fiscal prudence through effective recommendations.
 Making FC a permanent body: Option of making FC a permanent body for consultation and
monitoring purposes can be explored.
Conclusion:
On the whole, based on past experience, it can be said that the commission has balanced competing claims
and priorities among all three tiers of government in a credible manner. Some reforms can strengthen
and reaffirm the role of FC as a balancing wheel of fiscal federalism.
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2. The effectiveness and stability of a federal system rely on strong cooperation and coordination between
governments. Explain the methods of central control over state governments. (10 Marks, 150 Words)

How to Approach the Question:

 Introduction: Write about the Indian federal polity.
 Body: Highlight the mechanism for central control over state governments.
 Conclusion: Conclude positively.

Answer:
Introduction:
In order for a federal system to function effectively, it is crucial to have a high level of harmony and
cooperation between the central and state governments. The Constitution of India includes detailed provisions
that facilitate cooperation between the center and states. These provisions primarily serve as methods of
control exercised by the Union over the states, ensuring coordination and effective functioning of the federal
system.
Body:
Mechanisms for central control over state governments in India:
 Legislative Jurisdiction: The Constitution clearly defines the territorial extent of legislation, outlining
the authority of the center and the states in their respective territories.
 7th Schedule: It categorizes subjects into the Union List, State List, and the residuary list, effectively
delineating the legislative powers of each level of government.
 Parliament's Control: Provisions such as Article 249 enable the Rajya Sabha to pass resolutions,
granting Parliament the authority to legislate on specific subjects of the state list in the national interest.
 Emergency Provisions: During a national emergency or President's rule (as per Articles 352 and 356),
Parliament gains the power to legislate on matters within the state list.
 Consent-based Legislation: Parliament can pass laws for multiple states with their consent (Article 252)
and enact legislation to give effect to international laws (Article 253).
Some other Methods of Control:
 Reserved Bills and Presidential Sanction: The Governor can reserve certain bills for the President's
consideration, and prior sanction of the President is required for introducing specific bills in state
legislatures.
 Article 365: It empowers the Center to issue directives to the state administration when there is non-
compliance with constitutional provisions or inadequate performance by the state government.
 Mutual Delegation of Administrative Functions: Center and states can mutually delegate
administrative functions to foster cooperation and efficient governance.
 All India Services: As per Article 312, the provision of All India Services ensures administrative
continuity and promotes cooperation between the center and the states.
 NITI Aayog Initiatives: Recent initiatives by NITI Aayog aim to promote cooperative federalism and
enhance coordination between the center and states.
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Conclusion:
Overall, these measures illustrate the various mechanisms available to the Union for exercising control over
the states, ensuring cooperation and effective functioning within the federal system. These provisions are
essential for the successful functioning of a federation and create the groundwork for effective cooperation
and coordination between the central and state governments.
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3. What are the key criticisms regarding the functioning of the collegium system in India? Also suggest
some reforms and improvements that may be necessary to address these concerns.
(10 Marks, 150 Words)

How to Approach the Questions:

 Introduction: Give a brief introduction of the Collegium system.
 Body: Enlist all the key issues and criticism that are often put against the Collegium system.
 Conclusion: Conclude with a way forward.

Answer:
Articles 124(2) and Article 217 of the Indian Constitution deal with the appointment of judges to the Supreme
Court and High Courts respectively. The Collegium system is a process used in India for appointing these
judges involving CJI ans 4 senior most judges of apex court.
Criticisms of the Collegium system:
 Lack of transparency: The Collegium system operates with little transparency about how decisions are
made. This has led to criticism that the process is opaque and lacks accountability.
 Extra-Constitutional: Absence of such procedure from the Indian Constitution sparks the debate of its
relevance.
 Influence of seniority: The Collegium system gives a lot of weight to seniority, and this has led to the
appointment of some judges who may not be the most qualified candidates.
 Against International Practice: Such a system of judges appointing judges is not followed by
democratic countries of the world.
 Lack of representation: The Collegium system does not adequately representing the diversity of India's
population.
 Lack of independence: External factors such as political pressure or personal connections may influence
the appointment of judges.
 Political aspirations: Aspiring for membership in parliament sometimes bend them to take biased decisions.
Way Forward:
 Introducing greater transparency and accountability in the appointment process, such as by making
the criteria for selection more explicit and making the process more open to public scrutiny.
 Giving more weight to merit and qualifications in the selection process, rather than just relying on
seniority.
 Ensuring that the higher judiciary is more representative of the diversity of India's population, by
setting explicit diversity targets and using affirmative action measures where necessary.
 Strengthening the independence of the appointment process, For example by establishing an
independent body to oversee the selection of judges.
 Reconsidering the effectiveness of National Judicial Appointments Commission (NJAC)
Having an independent judiciary is crucial for upholding the rule of law, making it the most crucial aspect of
successful government. In the end, the legal system will be crucial to guaranteeing improved public
governance but for that reasonable transparency in judicial functioning is need of the hour.
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4. Discuss the functional challenges faced by the Election Commission of India. Mention how these issues
can be addressed. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

How to Approach the Questions:

 Introduction: Start with a brief introduction of the Election Commission of India (ECI).
 Body: Discuss the major challenges faced by the ECI and also provide some realistic solutions to address
it.
 Conclusion: Form a balanced opinion to conclude the answer on a positive note.

Answer:
The Election Commission of India (ECI) is the premier constitutional body tasked with conducting free and
fair elections across the country. However, within the institution there are several institutional challenges that
impede its functioning.
Functional Issues Faced by Election Commission:
 Lack of Power: Although Article 324 has vested the Election Commission of India with absolute powers.
Still, it lacks power like deregistering of political parties, contempt powers, etc.
 Non-Transparency: The non-transparency in the election of Chief Election Commission (CEC) and two
commissioners and is based on the choice of presiding government.
 Allegations on Electronic Voting Machine (EVM): Allegations on EVMs like malfunctioning,
hacking, not registering votes, etc. erodes the trust of people in the Election Commission of India. E.g.,
Recent events of EVM in cars of the ruling party after voting.
 Criminalization of Politics: Inability of Election Commission of India to tackle increased use of money
and criminal elements in politics.
 Electoral Malpractices: The commission grapples with issues such as voter fraud, booth capturing, and
vote-buying, which undermine the integrity of the electoral process.
 Voter Disenfranchisement: Ensuring the inclusion of all eligible voters and addressing barriers to voter
registration, especially among marginalized communities, remains a challenge.
 Societal disruption: Instances of violence during elections, including clashes between rival political
groups, pose a significant challenge to the commission's efforts to conduct free and fair elections.
 Voter Awareness: Despite efforts to enhance voter education and awareness, many voters remain
uninformed about the electoral process, leading to low voter turnout and participation rates.
Solutions to Address the Challenges:
 Enhancing Voter Education and Awareness: The Election Commission can conduct extensive voter
education campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of voting, electoral processes, and voter
rights. For example, the ECI’s initiative of Systematic Voters' Education and Electoral Participation
(SVEEP) program to educate voters and increase voter turnout.
 Strengthening Electoral Integrity: Implementing measures to ensure the integrity of the electoral
process, such as voter registration reforms, use of voter verifiable paper audit trails (VVPATs), and strict
enforcement of election laws to prevent malpractices like vote-buying and voter intimidation.
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 Leveraging Technology for Transparent Elections: Embracing technology-driven solutions like

electronic voting machines (EVMs), biometric voter verification, and online voter registration to enhance
transparency, efficiency, and accuracy in elections. Ex: ECI introduced the cVIGIL app for citizens to
report violations of the Model Code of Conduct during elections.
 Promoting Political Finance Reform: Implementing measures to regulate and monitor political party
financing, including transparency in campaign funding, disclosure of political donations, and strict
enforcement of expenditure limits.
 Enhancing Voter Accessibility and Inclusivity: Taking steps to address barriers to voter participation,
such as improving accessibility for persons with disabilities and marginalized communities, and
providing special facilities like Braille-enabled EVMs and transportation assistance to polling stations.
Overall, the Election Commission of India plays a vital role in upholding the democratic principles of free and
fair elections in India, ensuring that the voice of the electorate is heard and respected. And with time it should
also reform its approach towards required need to society to solidify their trust in democracy.
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5. The recently concluded BRICS Summit in Kazan highlighted the need for equitable global governance
and peace through dialogue, but it appears strong on intent and weak on concrete commitments.
Discuss. (15 Marks, 250 Words)

How to Approach the Question:

 Introduction: Write briefly about the recently concluded summit of BRICS.
 Body: Highlight how the recently concluded BRICS Summit in Kazan emphasized the importance of
equitable global governance and promoting peace through dialogue & then discuss why the recent summit
reflects strong intentions but lacks concrete commitments.
 Conclusion: Suggest a suitable way forward.

Answer:
The 16th BRICS Summit in Kazan, hosted by Russia, highlighted the bloc's commitment to strengthening
multilateralism and equitable global governance under the theme, ‘Strengthening Multilateralism for Just
Global Development and Security’. Through the Kazan Declaration, BRICS emphasized reforms in the
International Financial Architecture and the use of local currencies in trade to reduce dependency on
Western financial systems.
BRICS Summit in Kazan Emphasized the Importance of Equitable Global Governance and Peace
Through Dialogue:
 Focus on Financial Independence: The Kazan Declaration called for using local currencies in cross
border payments, reducing dependency on the U.S. dollar and increasing economic resilience within
BRICS.
 Support for a Multipolar World: BRICS reiterated its commitment to reforming global institutions
like the IMF and UN, advocating for the inclusion of emerging economies in decision-making. The Kazan
Declaration’s push for UNSC reform aligns with India's longstanding call for more inclusive global
governance structures.
 Commitment to Conflict Resolution: BRICS emphasized dialogue over conflict, urging a peaceful
resolution to international disputes, reinforcing the bloc’s commitment to diplomacy.
 Economic Collaboration for Balanced Growth: BRICS introduced initiatives like the BRICS Grain
Exchange and cross-border Interbank Cooperation Mechanism, aiming to bolster self-sufficiency and
equitable growth.
 Promotion of Cultural Unity and Mutual Respect: By hosting the summit in Kazan, a symbol of
Russia's multi-ethnic and multi-religious identity, BRICS highlighted the importance of cultural
diversity and mutual respect among nations. For example: Kazan’s Kul Sharif Mosque and the
Annunciation Cathedral symbolise BRICS' advocacy for peaceful coexistence and cooperation among
diverse cultures.
Why the Recent Summit Reflects Strong Intentions but Lacks Concrete Commitments?
 Absence of a Common Trading Currency: While discussed, the proposal for a BRICS trading
currency has yet to materialize, with members facing challenges in reaching a consensus on
implementation. For instance: Brazil's President suggested a BRICS currency in 2023, but economic
disparities and feasibility concerns have delayed this initiative.
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 Limited Progress on Institutional Reforms: BRICS’ call for UN and IMF reform remains aspirational,
as entrenched global powers continue to resist changes in these institutions
 Geopolitical Divergences Among Members: Tensions, particularly between India and China, affect
the bloc’s cohesion, impacting the implementation of collective decisions. Border disputes between
India and China and intercountry rivalry between Iran-UAE and Egypt-Ethiopia have limited
collaborative potential, creating barriers to BRICS' unified policy formulation.
 Lack of Mechanisms for Accountability: BRICS’ objectives, such as financial independence, lack
concrete accountability mechanisms to track progress, making it difficult to ensure follow-through on
declarations.
 Dependency on Individual Member Initiatives: BRICS projects often rely heavily on individual
member leadership, slowing down the pace of regional initiatives when priorities differ.
Way Forward
 Establishment of a BRICS Secretariat for Coordinated Action: A dedicated secretariat could oversee
project implementation, fostering greater accountability and tracking progress across BRICS initiatives.
 Strengthening Local Currency Frameworks: Implementing policies that support local currency use
in intra-BRICS trade can strengthen financial independence and reduce reliance on Western monetary
systems. In this context, India and Russia’s Rupee-Rouble trade mechanism can serve as a model for
enhancing currency cooperation across the bloc.
 Prioritizing Conflict Mediation Mechanisms: BRICS could develop a structured framework to
mediate conflicts within the bloc, fostering unity and reducing internal geopolitical tensions. For
example: Creating a BRICS conflict resolution forum can help address and mitigate tensions between
member nations, enabling smoother cooperation.
 Enhanced Engagement with Partner Countries: BRICS should deepen ties with its new partner
countries, enhancing regional influence and bolstering the group’s support in global governance reform.
 Investment in Joint Research and Development Initiatives: Increased funding for R&D in health,
agriculture, and technology can foster innovation and self-reliance among BRICS nations, reducing
reliance on Western resources. For eg: The BRICS Vaccine R&D Center should prioritise joint
investment in vaccine development, improving regional health security.
The 16th BRICS Summit marked a pivotal moment in the bloc’s journey toward equitable global governance
and reduced dependency on Western financial frameworks. Although there are strong intentions, BRICS faces
challenges in translating its vision into actionable commitments. BRICS must establish accountability
structures, promote conflict resolution, and engage partner countries to fulfill its vision of an inclusive global
governance model. With sustained collaboration, BRICS has the potential to redefine global governance in
favour of a multipolar and inclusive world order.
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