Paper: GS – II, Subject: Polity, Topic: Federalism, Issue: Issues with Uniform policies.
Context:
The Constitution One Hundred and Twenty-Ninth Amendment Bill, 2024 proposes holding simultaneous elections for Lok Sabha and State Assemblies aiming to enhance efficiency, cost-saving, and reduction of election-related disruptions.
Key Highlights:
Trend of Uniformity in Policy:
- Central regimes often push for uniformity in governance such as
- Entrance Exams: JEE (engineering), NEET (medical), UPSC (civil services), CLAT (law).
- Aadhaar: Unified biometric identity system (since 2009).
- GST (2017): Merged multiple indirect taxes into “One Nation, One Tax”.
- It reflects push toward standardized, centralized mechanisms across India.
| Pro-Uniformity Argument | Counter-Argument |
| Efficiency, cost reduction, better governance | Indian democracy is highly diverse, requiring context-sensitive laws & mechanisms |
Challenges of Simultaneous Elections in India:
Philosophical Perspective:
- Indian way: Indian way of thinking traditionally values plurality & flexibility rather than strict uniformity.
- Historical context: Indian democracy evolved as a system that absorbs diversity instead of suppressing it.
- Example: Indian approach often accepts multiple truths, contrasting with rigid uniform models.
Way ahead: Instead of strict uniformity, reforms should focus on:
- Electoral Reforms: reducing money power, strengthening institutions.
- Pragmatic Federalism: balancing efficiency with state autonomy.
- Context-Specific Policies: retaining local flexibility while ensuring national coherence.
Conclusion:
India’s strength lies in flexible democracy. Therefore, reforms must ensure efficiency without undermining federalism.
La Excellence IAS Academy, the best IAS coaching in Hyderabad, known for delivering quality content and conceptual clarity for UPSC 2025 preparation.
FOLLOW US ON:
◉ YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/@CivilsPrepTeam
◉ Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LaExcellenceIAS
◉ Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/laexcellenceiasacademy/
GET IN TOUCH:
Contact us at info@laex.in, https://laex.in/contact-us/
or Call us @ +91 9052 29 2929, +91 9052 99 2929, +91 9154 24 2140
OUR BRANCHES:
Head Office: H No: 1-10-225A, Beside AEVA Fertility Center, Ashok Nagar Extension, VV Giri Nagar, Ashok Nagar, Hyderabad, 500020
Madhapur: Flat no: 301, survey no 58-60, Guttala begumpet Madhapur metro pillar: 1524, Rangareddy Hyderabad, Telangana 500081
Bangalore: Plot No: 99, 2nd floor, 80 Feet Road, Beside Poorvika Mobiles, Chandra Layout, Attiguppe, Near Vijaya Nagara, Bengaluru, 560040
