From which country did the framers of the Indian Constitution borrow the idea of a federal system with a strong centre?

Introduction / Context:
India is often described as having a federal system with unitary features. One commonly asked area in Indian polity is the foreign sources from which specific constitutional ideas were borrowed. This question focuses on the idea of a federal system with a strong centre, a feature which shapes the relationship between the Union and the states in India.

Given Data / Assumptions:

The question asks about the origin of the concept federal system with strong centre adopted in India.

Options include constitutions of the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom and France.

We assume awareness that different features in the Indian Constitution are mapped to different foreign models.

Concept / Approach:
While the general idea of federalism is strongly associated with the United States, the specific model where the central government is relatively stronger and residuary powers are given to the centre is more similar to the Canadian model. The framers of the Indian Constitution directly acknowledged borrowing this concept from Canada. They adapted it to Indian conditions to ensure national unity while still allowing for state governments with their own legislative powers.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall that in India, powers are divided between the Union and the states through three lists. Step 2: Recognise that India grants residuary powers to the Union, which is a feature mirrored in the Canadian federation. Step 3: Standard polity tables show that the federal system with strong centre and residuary powers are borrowed from the Canadian constitution. Step 4: The United States provided inspiration for other features such as judicial review and fundamental rights, but not this exact pattern of strong central federalism. Step 5: Therefore, the correct answer for the origin of this concept is Canada.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by recalling the classic comparison table used in exam preparation. From the United Kingdom, India took the parliamentary system and cabinet responsibility. From the United States, India took a written constitution, federal structure in general and judicial review. From Canada, India took the model of federalism with a strong centre. From Ireland, India borrowed Directive Principles of State Policy. This organised mapping confirms that for the idea of a strong central federation, Canada is the relevant source.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
USA: Although India drew the basic idea of federalism and some constitutional practices from the United States, the Indian model of a strong centre and residuary powers is more in line with Canada.
UK: The United Kingdom does not have a true federal system. India borrowed the parliamentary form of government and conventions of cabinet responsibility from the UK, not the federal structure.
France: From France, India mainly drew inspiration for concepts like liberty, equality and fraternity that appear in the Preamble, not the specific pattern of federalism.

Common Pitfalls:
Candidates often assume that anything related to federalism must come from the United States, since it is a textbook example of a federal country. This leads to incorrect answers when questions ask specifically about a strong centre or residuary powers. To avoid this, firmly associate Canada with the expression federal system with strong centre and residuary powers with the Union. Writing out a small table of features and their foreign sources several times during revision can fix these connections in memory.

Final Answer:
The idea of a federal system with a strong centre in the Indian Constitution was borrowed from Canada.