From which country's constitution did the framers of Indian constitution borrow the idea of 'vesting residuary powers with the centre'?

The correct answer is Canada.

Key Points

• The framers of the Indian Constitution borrowed the idea of ‘vesting residuary powers with the Centre’ from the Constitution of Canada.
• In the Indian Constitution, residuary powers are mentioned under Article 248 and are assigned to the Union Parliament.
• This contrasts with the federal systems of countries like the United States, where residuary powers are vested with the states.
• The Canadian model influenced India due to its quasi-federal structure, which combines elements of both federal and unitary systems.
• Residuary powers allow the Centre to legislate on matters not enumerated in the Union List, State List, or Concurrent List.

Additional Information

• Federal System:
  • A federal system is a form of government where powers are divided between a central authority and its constituent units (states or provinces).
  • India is often described as a quasi-federal state due to its strong centralizing tendencies.
• Residuary Powers in India:
  • Residuary powers are those powers that are not explicitly mentioned in any of the three lists of the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
  • These powers are exclusively vested in the Parliament under Article 248.
• Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution:
  • The Seventh Schedule contains three lists: the Union List, the State List, and the Concurrent List.
  • The Union List comprises subjects on which only the central government can legislate, while the State List is for state legislatures.
  • The Concurrent List allows both the Union and State governments to legislate on shared matters.
• Canadian Influence on Indian Federalism:
  • The Canadian Constitution inspired India’s approach to residuary powers to ensure a strong central authority.
  • Like Canada, India also employs a system where certain powers are centralized to maintain national integrity and uniformity.