The correct option is 1 and 2 only.
Explanation
The Indian Constitution establishes a federal system with a strong unitary bias, often described as "quasi-federal." The Constituent Assembly deliberately opted for a strong Centre to ensure the unity and integrity of the nation, considering the specific historical and political context of India at the time of independence.Statement-wise Analysis
- Statement 1 is Correct: At the time of independence, India faced severe socio-economic challenges, including widespread poverty, illiteracy, and lack of industrial infrastructure. The framers believed that a strong central government was essential to mobilize resources, implement land reforms, and execute coordinated economic planning (e.g., through the Planning Commission) to ensure balanced development across regions.
- Statement 2 is Correct: The immediate aftermath of independence involved the traumatic Partition and the existence of approximately 565 princely states. There was a genuine fear of "balkanization" or fragmentation of the country. A strong Centre was deemed necessary to integrate these diverse princely states into the Indian Union and to suppress any secessionist tendencies effectively.
- Statement 3 is Incorrect: The British colonial administration had not established a "fully federal" system. While the Government of India Act, 1935, envisaged a federal structure, the federal provisions regarding the Centre were never implemented, and the British system remained largely unitary and centralized in practice. Furthermore, the framers did not aim to "reverse" federalism; rather, they adopted a federal structure but modified it with unitary features to suit Indian conditions.
Key Takeaway: The unitary bias in the Indian Constitution was a pragmatic necessity driven by the challenges of Partition, the integration of princely states, and the requirement for centralized planning to address socio-economic backwardness.