In federal system of government there is:

Question

Accepted Answer

The correct option is 2:

The core characteristic and defining feature of a federal system of government is the **Distribution of Powers** between the central (national) government and the constituent regional (state or provincial) governments. This division is typically entrenched in the constitution to ensure that both levels of government operate within their defined spheres and are autonomous in certain matters. The distribution ensures that authority is not concentrated in one place, providing checks and balances and accommodating the diverse needs of a large territory. This separation of jurisdictions—often through legislative lists (like the Union, State, and Concurrent Lists in India)—is essential for maintaining the federal balance.

The incorrect option is 1:

**Single administration** is fundamentally a characteristic of a unitary system, not a federal system. In a unitary structure, all administrative authority is concentrated in the central government, and any regional administrative bodies derive their power directly from and are subordinate to the center. A federal system, by definition, involves dual administration or dual polity, where both the federal and state governments have their own distinct administrative machinery and bureaucracy to govern the subjects under their respective jurisdiction, such as separate police forces and taxation systems.

The incorrect option is 3:

**Centralised decision-making** is directly contrary to the principle of federalism. Federalism is characterized by decentralization, where decision-making power is shared across multiple levels of government. Centralized decision-making is a hallmark of a unitary government, where the national government holds the ultimate authority to make all major policy and administrative decisions. In a federation, states enjoy significant autonomy in matters allocated to them, meaning decision-making is inherently decentralized to reflect local interests and preferences.

The incorrect option is 4:

**Less expenses** is not an inherent feature or advantage of a federal system; in fact, federal systems are often associated with higher expenses. Having two sets of governmental machinery, two distinct administrative bodies, and sometimes two houses of legislature (bi-cameralism) at both the central and state levels generally leads to duplication of administrative effort and therefore, higher overall governmental expenditure. While a unitary system can potentially be more cost-efficient due to a single chain of command, cost is a practical outcome, not a defining constitutional characteristic of federalism.