What is the concept of federalism?

Federalism does not consist of a set of fixed principles, which are applied, to different historical situations. Rather, federalism as a principle of government has evolved differently in different situations. 

Essentially, federalism is an institutional mechanism to accommodate two sets of polities – one at the regional level and the other at the national level. Each government is autonomous in its own sphere. In some federal countries, there is even a system of dual citizenship. India has only single citizenship.

American federalism – one of the first major attempts to build a federal polity – is different from German or Indian federalism. 

Further Reading :

• Federal Features of Indian Constitution
• Challenges to the Federal Structure: RSTV – The Big Picture