If India functioned without a federal system:

1. Regional Autonomy: Regional autonomy would likely diminish, potentially impacting cultural and administrative diversity.

2. Effectiveness in Governance: Centralized governance might bring efficiency but might not address diverse regional needs effectively, hindering development.

3. Decision-making Process: Centralized decision-making could streamline governance but might overlook local nuances, potentially slowing or ignoring regional challenges.

Overall, the absence of a federal system might compromise regional autonomy, governance effectiveness, and decision-making processes, potentially hindering equitable development and regional harmony.