• Creation of state-level institutions and governance processes is essential for India to function as a federation, at least theoretically.

• Despite the dominant position of the Centre under the Constitution, the adoption of federalism introduced decentralized governance.

• Federalism acknowledges India’s vast social, economic, cultural, and geographical diversities.

• These diversities generate both centrifugal and centripetal tendencies in Indian polity.

• Provisions ensure an overbearing Centre while allowing federalized governance in the states, creating a unique system not strictly classical federal or unitary.

• State-level governance was designed to balance unity and integrity of the country with self-governance rights of the people.

• The chapter analyzes the structure and functioning of the executive at the state level in India.

FEATURES OF THE STATE EXECUTIVE

• State-level governance in India is relatively subservient to the Centre both constitutionally and in practice.

• Constitutional provisions regarding state boundaries, nomenclature, and existence, as well as the continuation of a Chief Minister, depend largely on the Central Government.

• The executive power of the Union allows the Centre to direct states to ensure compliance with parliamentary laws (Article 257).

• Parliament can legislate on State List matters if the Rajya Sabha passes a two-thirds resolution in the national interest (Article 249).

• The Central Government has extensive powers to oversee state functioning in normal times and usurp state powers during emergencies.

• In practice, Chief Ministers are often chosen by party high commands in New Delhi, bypassing the constitutional process of election by MLAs.

• Successful functioning of state governments depends on good relations and goodwill with the Centre.

• Unlike federations like the United States, Indian states lack functional autonomy, separate constitutions, or separate citizenship, except partially in Jammu and Kashmir.

• States are considered parts of an organic whole, with governance patterned on the parliamentary system at the Centre (Part VI of the Constitution).

• The parliamentary system at the state and central levels appears identical in form but differs in functional substance.

• Powers and functions of the President and Governor differ drastically in practice, though both act as nominal heads.

• Differences in legislative bills, bureaucratic control, and other functions are deliberate designs to adapt the parliamentary system to India’s needs.

• Analysis of state government structure primarily focuses on the executive and legislature, as the judiciary is integrated and independent, falling outside state apparatus discussions.

• The executive branch dominates state governance, with the Governor and Chief Minister as key constitutional functionaries.

• The Council of Ministers and bureaucracy play a secondary role.

• The chapter emphasizes the office of the Governor and Chief Minister, including constitutional provisions and political trends in their roles and functioning.