General Studies II · Topic
Federal structure and devolution
Official syllabus
Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
UPSC CSE 2026 notification
What this covers
Study how Union, State and local responsibilities and resources are allocated, coordinated and contested, keeping constitutional assignment distinct from actual capacity and outcomes.
Key ideas
- Union–State responsibilities
- Federal cooperation and disputes
- Devolution of powers
- Devolution of finances
- Local implementation
Subtopics 5
- 01Union and State responsibilitiesExplain legislative competence, executive responsibility and their interaction across Union and State governments with close attention to the Seventh…
- 02Federal issues and challengesIdentify federal tensions and mechanisms of cooperation without treating every policy disagreement as a constitutional dispute.
- 03Devolution of powersDistinguish constitutional enabling provisions, State legislation and effective assignment of functions to Panchayats and Municipalities.
- 04Devolution of financesExplain tax sharing, grants and local fiscal recommendations while separating constitutional routes from actual fund flow and discretion.
- 05Local-level challengesAssess whether local bodies can use assigned functions and funds effectively, considering staffing, administrative capacity, participation and…