The Union of States: Contemporary Political History of India’s Federal Challenges

The Union of States opens with a close and thoughtful examination of how India’s constitutional design is evolving in practice. With clarity and balance, this contemporary account traces the “march of law” as the relationship between the Union and its States encounters new tests. It revisits key episodes—from changes in elected governments in Arunachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand to administrative stalemates in Puducherry, the reorganisation of Jammu and Kashmir, and the expanding reach of national policies into areas long managed by the States. By bringing together legal developments and lived constitutional experiences, the book invites readers to reflect on how federal principles operate beyond theory. What does autonomy mean in a complex Union?

How are responsibilities shared, negotiated, and redefined? In raising these questions, the opening sets the stage for a deeper understanding of India’s federal framework and its continuing journey.