Federalism

• India is federal in structure with unitary features. 

• France is a unitary State organised on a decentralized basis.

Form of Government  

• Parliamentary System: The president is ceremonial head of state & Prime minister is head of government.

• Semi-Presidential System: The President (directly elected) holds substantial power and a Prime minister manages day-to-day affairs.

President

• The President is elected indirectly for a 5 year term without any cap on number of terms.

• The President is elected by universal direct suffrage & five-year term is renewable only once.

Secularism 

• Indian secularism is characterized by positive secularism, which emphasizes equal respect for all religions. It allows for principled state intervention in all religions.

• Enforces a strict separation between church & state, reflecting a more rigid approach to secularism that prohibits any state involvement in religious matters.

Referendum  

• Indian Constitution does not explicitly provide for referendums.

• French Constitution explicitly provides for referendums.