Chief Justice of India (CJI) D Y Chandrachud emphasized the significance of cooperative federalism in the governance of India, calling the introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) a "classical example" of this system. Speaking at an inaugural annual lecture series on "Understanding Federalism and Its Potential," CJI Chandrachud noted that federalism in India is not a "monolithic concept" but has evolved to have multiple facets.
The Chief Justice explained that cooperative federalism is a system where the Centre and states work together to resolve differences and achieve common developmental goals. He highlighted that the implementation of GST exemplifies this collaboration between the Union and state governments, adding that both "collaborative discussions" and "interstitial contestation" between states and the Centre are essential for the functioning of federalism in India.
CJI Chandrachud remarked that since the economic reforms of the 1990s, the economy has taken center stage in political discourse, and the GST Constitutional Amendment was a prime example of cooperative governance. He also underscored the important role courts have played in protecting states' rights and shaping the doctrine of federalism in India. According to the Chief Justice, courts have developed a robust jurisprudential framework to safeguard the identity of states, promote representation, and ensure efficiency in governance.
He further observed that federalism in India has evolved from the original vision of the Constitution's framers, as it now accommodates greater autonomy for states based on the realities of the country's political maturity. Issues such as climate change, artificial intelligence, data privacy, and cybercrime, which transcend traditional federal boundaries, present new challenges that call for innovative solutions, he said.
Looking forward, CJI Chandrachud stressed that the success of federalism will not only be measured by how it balances legislative powers but also by how it fosters democracy and upholds the constitutional values of equality, liberty, dignity, and fraternity.
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