CBSE Important Questions for Class 10 Social Science Civics Chapter 2: Federalism Class 10 Important Questions explores the distribution of power between different levels of government in India. It explains the concept of federalism, its features, and how it is practised in India through the Union, State, and Local governments.
Key topics include Union and State lists, decentralisation, the role of the judiciary, and linguistic states as per latest Class 10 Syllabus. Important questions often focus on differences between unitary and federal systems, the role of the Constitution in maintaining federalism, and the importance of local self-government. Case studies on Belgium and Sri Lanka are also crucial for understanding federal structures in different countries.
CBSE Class 10 Chapter 2 Federalism Class 10 Important Questions and Answers
Federalism Class 10 Important Questions are crucial as they help students understand how power is shared between different levels of government in India. It highlights the significance of decentralisation, Union-State relations, and the role of local governments.
Understanding federalism is essential for grasping how democracy functions effectively in a diverse country like India. The chapter covers key concepts such as Union, State, and Concurrent lists, linguistic states, and the judiciary's role in maintaining federalism.
Important questions focus on the advantages of federalism, case studies of Belgium and Sri Lanka, and how federalism promotes unity in diversity. Check important questions of federalism class 10 here.
1. The Union List includes subjects such as:
(A) Education, forests, trade unions, marriages, adoption and succession.
(B) Police, trade, commerce, agriculture and irrigation.
(C) Residuary subjects like computer software.
(D) Defence, foreign affairs, banking, currency, communications.
Ans. (D) Defence, foreign affairs, banking, currency, communications.
2. The system of Panchayati Raj involves:
(A) Village, State and Union levels
(B) Village, District and State levels
(C) Village and State levels
(D) Village, Block and District levels
Ans. (D) Village, Block and District levels
3. Which of the following subjects are included in the State List?
(A) Agriculture (B) Irrigation
(C) Police (D) All of the above
Ans. (D) All of the above
4. How many languages are included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution?
(A) 15 (B) 22
(C) 25 (D) 21
Ans. (B) 22
5. Who is the head of urban local government?
(A) Sarpanch (B) Ward commissioner
(C) Mukhiya (D) Mayor
Ans. (D) Mayor
6. Belgium shifted from a unitary form of government to:
(A) Democratic (B) Federal
(C) Authoritarian (D) None of the above
Ans. (B) Federal
7. Both the union and the state government can make laws on the subjects mentioned in the:
(A) Union list (B) State list
(C) Concurrent list (D) All of the above
Ans. (C) Concurrent list
8. Which of the following states in India enjoys a special status?
(A) Arunachal Pradesh (B) Mizoram
(C) Nagaland (D) All of the above
Ans. (D) All of the above
9. What is true regarding sources of revenue in a federal system?
(A) States have no financial powers or independent sources of revenue.
(B) Sources of revenue for each level of government are clearly specified to ensure its financial autonomy.
(C) States are dependent for revenue or funds on the central government.
(D) States have no financial autonomy.
Ans. (B) Sources of revenue for each level of government are clearly specified to ensure its financial autonomy.
10. Consider the following statements on the practice of federalism in India. Identify those which hold true for decentralisation after 1992.
A. Local governments did not have any power or resources of their own.
B. It became constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies.
C. The state governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies.
D. No seats are reserved in the elected bodies for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward classes.
(A) B and C (B) A and C
(C) A and D (D) B and D
Ans. (A) B and C
11. What is federalism?
Sol. Federalism is a system of government under which power is divided between a central authority and its various constituent units. The various constituent units and the central authority run their administration independently and do not interfere unnecessarily in the affairs of one another.
12. What is the Unitary Government?
Sol. Under the unitary system, either there is only one level of government or the sub units are subordinate to the central government.
13. What are ‘residuary’ subjects? {Imp)
Sol: Subjects which do not fall in any of the three lists are known as ‘residuary’ subjects. For example, Computer software, Since it came up after the Constitution was made, it was placed in residuary subjects and the Union Government has power to legislate on these subjects.
14. What is decentralisation?
Sol. When power is taken away from Central and State governments and given to local government, it is called decentralisation.
15. What is the importance of the judiciary in a federal government?
Sol. The judiciary plays an important role in overseeing the implementation of constitutional provisions and procedures. In case of any dispute about the division of powers, the High Courts and the Supreme Court make a decision.
16. India has a large cultural, regional and religious diversity but there is unity among people”. What factors are responsible for this? Elaborate.
Sol. The Indian Constitution, adopted in 1950, enshrines principles of secularism, democracy, and federalism. It guarantees fundamental rights and freedoms to all citizens, regardless of their religion, caste, or creed. The principles of equality and social justice form the foundation of India's unity, providing a sense of belonging to all its citizens. Factors, responsible for this are:
• Right to equality.
• No discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, region or religion.
• SCs & STs have some seats reserved and do get representation.
• Right to freedom of religion and cultural and educational rights
17. Explain five changes towards decentralization brought in the Constitution after the amendments made in 1992.
Sol. The following steps were taken towards decentralization after 1992.
• It was made constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies.
• Women were given one-third representation.
• Seats were reserved for Scheduled Castes
(SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and Other Backward communities (OBCs) in the elected bodies.
• An independent institution, called state election commission, was created to conduct local body elections.
• State governments were required to share this power and revenue with local bodies.
18. Explain the threefold distribution of legislative powers between the Union Government and the State Governments.
Sol. Legislative powers are divided between the Union government and the State Governments by the Constitution of India. The Constitution is the supreme power in the country and the legislative powers are divided into various areas of government jurisdiction into three lists.
• The Union List: The Union List is given in Seventh Schedule in the Constitution of India, on which Parliament has exclusive power to legislate. It contains areas like defense, foreign affairs, currency and communications.
• The State List: The State List is also in the Seventh Schedule of the constitutioncontaining subjects like social service, police and Health, which are under the jurisdiction of the state government. Only the state legislature can pass laws on these subjects.
• The Concurrent List: The Concurrent List contains items like criminal law, forests, and population control, in which both the parliament and state legislature can pass laws. However, in case of any conflict arising between the laws made by the parliament and the laws made by the state legislature, the laws made by the parliament will prevail.
19. What are the advantages of local governments?
Sol. Some advantages of local Government are:
(i) Constitutional status for local government has helped to deepen democracy in our country.
(ii) It has also increased women’s representation and voice in our democracy.
(iii) This allows people to directly participate in decision making.
(iv) Local people have better ideas and knowledge about the local problems.
20. Throw light on the key features of federalism.
Sol. Following are the key features of federalism-
(i) There are two or more levels or tiers of government.
(ii) Different tiers of government govern the same citizens, but each tier has its own jurisdiction in specific matters of legislation, taxation and administration.
(iii) The jurisdictions of the respective tiers of government are specified in the constitution. So, the existence and authority of each tier of government is constitutionally guaranteed.
(iv) The fundamental provisions of the constitution cannot be unilaterally changed by one level of government. Such changes require the consent of both the levels of
government.
(v) Sources of revenue for each level of government are clearly specified to ensure its financial autonomy.
(vi) The federal system has dual objectives – to safeguard and promote unity of the country, while at the same time accommodating regional diversity. Also, the governments at different levels should trust each other and agree to live together.
Section – D [5 Marks]
21. The creation of linguistic states was the first and major test for democratic politics in our country. Justify this statement.
Sol. Linguistic Identity and Unity: India is a vast and diverse country with numerous languages spoken across its length and breadth. The demand for linguistic states stemmed from the need for people who spoke the same language to have a sense of unity and identity. By creating states based on linguistic lines, it allowed for better representation and governance for linguistic communities, fostering a sense of belonging and unity among its citizens.
Democratic Expression: The demand for linguistic states was a manifestation of democratic expression. People felt that governance in their own language would be more responsive to their needs and aspirations. This demand showcased the vibrancy of Indian democracy, where people could articulate their desires and preferences through peaceful means.
National Integration: Initially, there were concerns that the creation of linguistic states might lead to the fragmentation of the country along linguistic lines. However, the opposite proved to be true. The formation of linguistic states actually contributed to national integration by accommodating the linguistic diversity within the framework of a unified nation. It demonstrated that unity in diversity could be achieved through respecting linguistic identities.
Administrative Efficiency: While some feared that linguistic states would complicate administration, the opposite effect was observed. Creating states based on linguistic lines facilitated better governance as it allowed for administration in the language understood by the majority of the population. This, in turn, improved communication between the government and the people, leading to more effective implementation of policies and programs.
22. What is decentralisation? What is the importance or need for decentralisation? Or “Do you take decentralisation as a means to minimise the conflicts?” Give your viewpoint.
Sol. Decentralization refers to the transfer of power, authority, and decision-making from a central authority to local or regional levels of government, organizations, or communities. It aims to distribute governance, resources, and responsibilities to smaller units, allowing for greater autonomy and participation at the local level. Decentralization can take various forms, including political, administrative, fiscal, and economic decentralization.
Decentralisation as a means to minimise the conflicts: The basic idea behind decentralisation is that there are a large number of problems and issues which are best settled at the local level. People have a better knowledge of problems in their localities. They also have better ideas on where to spend money, and how to manage things more efficiently.
At the local level, it is possible for the people to directly participate in decision making. This helps to inculcate a habit of democratic participation. Basically, the local government is the best way to realize one important principle of democracy, namely the Local Self-Government.
23. Which five provisions of the Indian Constitution make India a full-fledged federation?
Sol. A federation is a country in which the powers are divided between the union and its constituents. India is an example of holding together a federation, where the country decides to create constituent units, thereby dividing the powers and duties between the center and the states.
The following are the five provisions that make India a full-fledged federation. Two or more levels of government: We have a federal system whereby the constitution has more than two tiers of the government, the Union Government, State Governments and Local Government. This implies that there are more than two levels of government administration among which powers are divided and duties are given.
Three Lists: The powers are divided between the Centre and the States by three Lists: Union list, State List and Concurrent list. Union List deals with the issues relating to the Centre, State List deals with the issues relating to the States and Concurrent List deals with the matters of both the Centre and the States.
Rigid Constitution: The Government of India is governed by the Constitution of India and it is considered the Supreme Power in the Country. It is not an easy task to amend the Constitution. For a constitutional provision to be amended, it requires ratification by half of the State Legislatures, failing which the Constitution cannot be amended.
Bicameral Legislature: India has a bicameral legislature, which means that the Parliament consists of two houses, ‘The Lok Sabha’ and ‘The Rajya Sabha’. One represents the country, and the other represents the interests of the constituent states.
Financial Autonomy: The revenue sources of both the Centre and States have been clearly defined, that ensures financial autonomy to both the Centre and the States. In layman’s language, ”the Centre and the State have different sources of income, which means they are independent of each other when it comes to revenue.”
Independent Judiciary: Independent judiciary is the essence of federal government. Here, courts have the power to interpret the Constitution and the powers of the different levels of government. In India, the highest court, the Supreme Court”—acts as an umpire if a dispute arises between the different levels of government in the exercise of their respective powers
24. Describe the Panchayati Raj system. (Imp)
Sol. Rural local government is popularly known by the name Panchayati Raj. The panchayati raj is a three-tier system. In other words, we can say that the panchayati raj system works at three levels.
Gram Panchayat at village level: This is a council consisting of several ward members, often called panch, and a president or sarpanch. They are directly elected by all the adult population living in that ward or village. It is the decision-making body for the entire village. The panchayat works under the overall supervision of the gram sabha.
Block Samiti at block level: A few gram panchayats are grouped together to form what is usually called a panchayat samiti or mandal or block. The members of this representative body are elected by all the panchayat members in that area.
Zilla Parishad at the district level: Zilla Parishad is the body at the highest level of the panchayati raj system. All the panchayat samitis or mandals in a district together constitute the zilla (district) parishad.
CBSE Important Questions for Class 10 Social Science Civics Chapter 2 PDF
Class 10 Social Science Civics Chapter 2, "Federalism," explains the division of power between different levels of government, including Union, State, and Local bodies.
It highlights key concepts such as decentralisation, linguistic states, and the role of the judiciary. Understanding federalism is crucial for democracy and unity in a diverse country like India. Below, we have provided a PDF with important questions to help in exam preparation.
CBSE Important Questions for Class 10 Social Science Civics Chapter 2 PDF
How Chapter 2 Federalism Important Questions Improve Exam Performance
Studying important questions for Chapter 2, Federalism in Class 10 CBSE Civics, can greatly enhance a student’s understanding of the subject and improve their exam performance. Below are the key benefits of using these important questions:
1. Helps in Understanding Key Concepts
-
The important questions cover fundamental topics like power-sharing, levels of government, the division of powers, and the role of the judiciary.
-
They clarify the structure of federalism in India and how it operates in a diverse country.
2. Enhances Exam Preparation
-
CBSE exams often repeat or modify previous years’ questions, so practising these helps in predicting the type of questions that may appear in the exam.
-
These questions align with the NCERT syllabus and CBSE board exam patterns, ensuring relevant preparation.
3. Improves Answer Writing Skills
-
Practising these questions enhances students' ability to frame well-structured and to-the-point answers within the word limit.
-
It teaches how to write analytical answers by connecting concepts with real-world examples like the case studies of Belgium and Sri Lanka.
4. Boosts Confidence and Reduces Exam Stress
-
Regular practice of important questions increases familiarity with different types of questions, making students more confident during exams.
-
It helps in better time management as students learn to answer quickly and effectively.
Related Chapters