The term 'Federal' is derived from the Latin word 'Foedus' this means treaty or agreement.

In case of
federal constitution, there is a treaty or agreement namely, a written constitution, which defines and
determines the powers of the two sets of government, national and regional. A federal government is a
dual government.
Dr. B.R. Ambedkar, one of the chief architects of the Indian Constitution said: "Our Constitution would
be both Unitary as well as Federal according to the requirements of time and circumstances. In historical
as well as present context, the above statement is fully correct because: federalism is not static but a
dynamic concept", it is always in the process of evolution and constant adjustments from time to time in
the light of the contemporary needs the demands being made on it.
Federalism is a political concept in which a group of members are bound together by covenant with a
governing representative head. The term "federalism" is also used to describe a system of the
government in which sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central governing authority and
constituent political units (like states or provinces). Federalism is a system in which the power to govern
is shared between national and provincial/state governments, creating what is often called a federation.
Proponents are often called federalists.
In Canada, federalism typically implies opposition to sovereignty's movements. The Canadian-
constitution, definitely told an accent on the centre. In course of time, however the privy-council, by its
process of interpretation weakened the centre and raises the provinces. This was the result of assertion
of bilinguism and biculturism by Quebec (a French majority state). The central-power to veto the
provincial-legislation has also come to be used sparingly as a result of growth of conventions.

STATEMENT OF PROBLEMS
What are the basic principles of Federalism and to what extent do they incorporated into the
Indian Constitution?
Whether the Constitution of India is truly federal in character or more unitary?
Whether the federal system in India is same as in U.S.A, Canada and Australia?

Research Methodology
This research is based on the Doctrinal research. Doctrinal research means a research that has been
carried out of legal proposition or propositions by way of analysing the existing statutory provisions and
cases by applying the reasoning power.


Delimitation
The Indian Constitution cannot be called "federal" or "unitary" in the ideal sense of theterms. The British
parliament has set up a federal system in India by the Government of India Act, 1935.