Quasi-Federalism and Executive-Federalism: Evaluating India’s Checks and Balances in the Age of Strong Central Leadership

This paper examines how India’s quasi-federal structure operates under strong central leadership, focusing on the balance between constitutional authority and executive coordination. Using a doctrinal approach, it analyses constitutional provisions such as Articles 246, 248, and the Seventh Schedule alongside fiscal instruments under Articles 270, 275, and 279A to assess how central power is exercised without eroding State autonomy. The study highlights the role of executive federalism through intergovernmental bodies, conditional grants, and centrally sponsored schemes, supported by judicial oversight in cases like Kesavananda Bharati and S.R. Bommai. Comparative perspectives from the United States, Canada, and Australia provide additional insight into cooperative governance and fiscal balance. The paper concludes that effective federalism in India depends not on rigid division but on transparent, rule-based executive cooperation that ensures accountability while enabling national coordination and responsive governance.