The correct option is C.
Explanation
Article 1 of the Constitution of India defines the name and territory of the Union. It establishes the structural nature of the Indian polity, emphasizing the indestructible nature of the Union despite its federal structure.
- Statement A is Incorrect: A confederation is a loose association of independent states that retain their sovereignty. India is not a confederation as the constituent units do not have the right to secede.
- Statement B is Incorrect: While the Indian Constitution is federal in form, the term "Federation of States" is deliberately avoided in Article 1. Dr. B.R. Ambedkar clarified that the use of "Union" indicates that the Indian federation is not the result of an agreement by the states, and no state has the right to secede from it.
- Statement C is Correct: Article 1(1) explicitly states, "India, that is Bharat, shall be a Union of States." This nomenclature underscores the administrative convenience of states within a permanent, unified sovereign entity.
- Statement D is Incorrect: While India is a Republic (as stated in the Preamble), the specific phrase "United Republic of India" is not the description used in Article 1 to define the character of the nation.
Article 1 describes India as a "Union of States" to signify that the Indian Federation is not a result of a contract between states and is indissoluble.