Which one of the following is not a feature of Indian federalism?

The correct answer is D. Indian federalism was not born from a voluntary pact among independent units, as in the USA. The Constituent Assembly framed the Constitution, and the Union came into being through it. That is why Article 1 calls India a 'Union of States', and why Parliament can alter state boundaries under Article 3, which shows that the states are not sovereign parties to a contract.

• A is a feature: The judiciary is independent (Articles 124 and 214), and the Supreme Court arbitrates Centre-State disputes under Article 131.
• B is a feature: The Seventh Schedule divides subjects into Union, State and Concurrent Lists, and residuary powers rest with the Centre (Article 248).
• C is a feature: Rajya Sabha seats are allotted by population under the Fourth Schedule, so Uttar Pradesh has 31 seats while Sikkim has 1.

The core concept is that India is a quasi-federal system with a strong Centre. This is a frequent Mains theme in GS-II on Centre-State relations and cooperative federalism.

Trap: Aspirants either reject D simply because 'India is a federation' or pick C because they assume equal representation is standard in federations. Ask how the federation was created, not only whether it is one.