Federalism Class-X Civics

Federalism explores how power is divided vertically between a central government and regional state governments to manage vast diversity efficiently.

Building upon the concept of power sharing, this chapter examines the core features of a federal system and contrasts “Coming Together” federations with “Holding Together” federations. Using India as a primary case study, it details how constitutional lists divide legislative powers, how language policies and Centre-State relations strengthen democracy, and how the 1992 Decentralization Act empowered local self-governments (Panchayats and Municipalities) at the grassroot level.

Most important, frequently asked 5-mark long answer questions for CBSE Class X Civics, Chapter Federalism

Q1. What are the key features of federalism? Explain any five.

Two or More Levels of Government: Federalism has at least two tiers of governance—a Central/Union government for the nation and State/Provincial governments for regional administration.
Distinct Jurisdiction: Each tier has its own defined realm of control regarding legislation, taxation, and administration, guaranteed by the constitution.
Constitutional Guarantee: The existence and authority of each tier are constitutionally protected; the central authority cannot arbitrarily abolish them.
Rigid Amendment Process: Fundamental provisions of the constitution cannot be changed unilaterally by one level of government; consent from both levels is required.
Judiciary as an Umpire: High Courts and the Supreme Court act as independent arbitrators to resolve constitutional conflicts between different tiers.
Financial Autonomy: Sources of revenue for each level are clearly specified to ensure financial independence.

Q2. Differentiate between ‘Coming Together’ and ‘Holding Together’ federations with examples.

‘Coming Together’ Federations:
- Formation: Independent states voluntarily unite to form a bigger country to pool sovereignty and retain identity for increased security.
- Power Equality: All constituent states usually have equal powers vis-à-vis each other and are strong relative to the central government.
- Examples: USA, Switzerland, Australia.
‘Holding Together’ Federations:
- Formation: A large country decides to divide its power between constituent states and the national government to manage internal diversity.
- Power Distribution: The central government tends to be more powerful relative to the states. Constituent units may have unequal powers (e.g., special constitutional provisions).
- Examples: India, Spain, Belgium.

Q3. How is power divided between the Central and State governments in India? Explain the three legislative lists.

Union List:
- Contains subjects of national importance requiring uniform policy nationwide (e.g., Defense, Foreign Affairs, Banking, Communications, Currency).
- Only the Central Union Government can make laws on these subjects.
State List:
- Contains subjects of state and local importance (e.g., Police, Trade, Commerce, Agriculture, Irrigation).
- Only State Governments can legislate on these subjects.
Concurrent List:
- Includes subjects of common interest to both Central and State levels (e.g., Education, Forests, Trade Unions, Marriage, Adoption, Succession).
- Both levels can make laws; however, in case of a conflict, the law made by the Union Government prevails.
Residuary Subjects:
- Topics that came up after the constitution was written (e.g., Computer Software, IT). The Union Government holds exclusive power to legislate on them.

Q4. What major steps were taken in 1992 towards decentralization in India?

Mandatory Regular Elections: Constitutionally compelled regular elections for local government bodies (Panchayats and Municipalities).
Reserved Seats for Marginalized Groups: Seats were reserved in elected bodies and executive heads for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
Reservation for Women: At least one-third (33%) of all positions are reserved for women.
State Election Commission (SEC): An independent body created in each state to conduct free and fair panchayat and municipal elections.
Sharing of Power and Revenue: State governments are constitutionally required to share administrative powers and revenue sources with local bodies.

5. Explain how federalism is practiced in India through Linguistic States, Language Policy, and Centre-State Relations.

Linguistic States Policy:
- Boundaries of several states were reorganized based on language (e.g., Tamil Nadu, Maharashtra) to ensure people speaking the same language lived together.
- Prevented regional separatism and made administration smoother.
Language Policy:
- No single language was given national language status.
- Hindi was recognized as the official language, while 21 other languages were recognized as Scheduled Languages in the Constitution.
- Continuation of English alongside Hindi for official purposes avoided anti-Hindi conflicts in southern states.
Restructuring Centre-State Relations:
- Pre-1990: One-party dominance often led the Central government to misuse Article 356 to dismiss state governments run by rival parties.
- Post-1990: The rise of regional parties ushered in the era of Coalition Governments, fostering respect for state autonomy and federal consensus.

MCQs

Q1. Which of the following is NOT a feature of federalism?

(a) There are two or more levels of government.

(b) Different tiers of government govern the same citizens.

(d) The jurisdiction of the respective levels or tiers of government is specified in the constitution.

Q2. Which of the following sets of countries are examples of ‘Coming Together’ federations?

(a) India, Spain, Belgium

(b) USA, Switzerland, Australia

(d) Belgium, Sri Lanka, Australia

Q3. Subjects like Defense, Foreign Affairs, Banking, Communications, and Currency are included in which list in the Indian Constitution?

(a) State List

(b) Union List

(d) Residuary List

Q4. Subjects such as Computer Software, Information Technology, and Space Research fall under which category of legislative powers?

(a) Union List

(b) State List

(d) Residuary Subjects

Q5. In case of a conflict between the Central Government and State Government regarding a law on a subject in the Concurrent List, whose law prevails?

(a) State Government

(b) Union Government

(d) Both laws become null and void

Q6. How many languages are recognized as ‘Scheduled Languages’ in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution (including Hindi)?

(a) 18

(b) 20

(d) 25

Q7. What major constitutional amendment made local self-government in India more powerful and effective in 1992?

(a) 42nd Amendment

(b) 44th Amendment

(d) 86th Amendment

Q8. What proportion of seats in local government bodies (Panchayats and Municipalities) is reserved for women in India?

(a) One-fifth (20%)

(b) One-fourth (25%)

(d) Half (50%)

Q9. An independent institution created in each state to conduct Panchayat and Municipal elections is called the:

(a) Election Commission of India

(b) State Election Commission

(d) NITI Aayog

Q10. The system of local government at the village level is popularly known as:

(a) Gram Sabha

(b) Panchayati Raj

(d) Samiti

Q11. Who is the political head of a Municipal Corporation?

(a) Chief Minister

(b) Sarpanch

(d) District Collector

Q12. Which of the following statements about ‘Holding Together’ federations is correct?

(a) Independent states come together on their own to form a bigger country.

(b) The central government and state governments always enjoy equal powers.

(d) State governments are always more powerful than the central government.

Q13. What was the main objective of creating Linguistic States in India after independence?

(a) To ensure people who spoke the same language lived in the same state

(b) To divide power between rich and poor regions

(d) To reduce the authority of local self-governments

Q14. In India, who acts as an umpire if a dispute arises between different levels of government in the exercise of their powers?

(a) The President of India

(b) The Prime Minister

(d) The Parliament

Q15. The head of a Gram Panchayat is known as the:

(a) Mayor