FederalismClass 10 Political Science NCERT Solutions
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Q1Exercises
Locate the following States on a blank outline political map of India: Manipur, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh and Goa.
Solution
This is a map-based activity. The locations of the states are as follows:
- Manipur: It is a state in Northeast India, bordered by Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south, and Assam to the west; it also borders Myanmar to the east.
- Sikkim: It is a state in Northeast India, bordered by Bhutan, Tibet and Nepal. It is situated in the eastern Himalayas.
- Chhattisgarh: It is a state in Central India. It is bordered by Madhya Pradesh to the northwest, Uttar Pradesh to the north, Jharkhand to the northeast, Maharashtra to the southwest, Telangana to the south, and Odisha to the southeast.
- Goa: It is a state on the southwestern coast of India within the region known as the Konkan. It is bordered by Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south, with the Arabian Sea forming its western coast.
Q2Exercises
Identify and shade three federal countries (other than India) on a blank outline political map of the world.
Solution
This is a map-based activity. Based on the chapter, three federal countries other than India that can be identified and shaded on a world map are:
- USA (United States of America)
- Switzerland
- Australia
These countries are examples of 'coming together' federations.
Q3Exercises
Point out one feature in the practice of federalism in India that is similar to and one feature that is different from that of Belgium.
Solution
A comparison between the practice of federalism in India and Belgium reveals the following:
Similar Feature:
Both India and Belgium are examples of 'holding together' federations. In this type of federation, a large country decides to divide its power between the national government and the constituent states or regions. This is done to accommodate regional and social diversity and to promote national unity. Both countries have a power-sharing arrangement between the central and state/regional governments.
Different Feature:
One significant difference is the concept of 'community government' in Belgium. Belgium has a third kind of government, the 'community government', which is elected by people belonging to one language community – Dutch, French and German-speaking – no matter where they live. This government has power regarding cultural, educational and language-related issues. India does not have such a system. Instead, India has addressed its linguistic diversity through measures like the creation of linguistic states and a flexible language policy, but not a separate community government.
Q4Exercises
What is the main difference between a federal form of government and a unitary one? Explain with an example.
Solution
The main difference between a federal and a unitary form of government lies in the distribution of power between the central government and the sub-units (like states or provinces).
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Federal Government: In a federal system, power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units of the country. There are two or more levels of government, and each level enjoys its power independent of the other. The central government cannot order the state government to do something, as the state government has powers of its own for which it is not answerable to the central government. Both levels of government are separately answerable to the people. Example: India, where power is divided between the Union Government and State Governments through the Union, State, and Concurrent lists.
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Unitary Government: In a unitary system, there is either only one level of government, or the sub-units are subordinate to the central government. The central government has all the powers and can pass on orders to the provincial or local governments. The sub-units do not have constitutional powers of their own that are independent of the central authority. Example: Sri Lanka, where the national government holds all the major powers, and regional governments are subordinate to it.
Q5Exercises
State any two differences between the local government before and after the Constitutional amendment in 1992.
Solution
The Constitutional amendment of 1992 was a major step towards decentralisation that made the third-tier of democracy more powerful and effective. Two key differences between the local government before and after this amendment are:
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Regularity of Elections:
- Before 1992: Elections to local government bodies like Panchayats and Municipalities were not held regularly. They were under the direct control of state governments, which often postponed elections.
- After 1992: It became constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies. An independent institution called the State Election Commission was created in each state to conduct these elections.
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Powers and Resources:
- Before 1992: Local governments did not have any powers or resources of their own. They were dependent on state governments for funds and authority, which resulted in very little decentralisation in effective terms.
- After 1992: The amendment required State governments to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies. While the nature of this sharing varies from state to state, it provided a constitutional basis for local bodies to have their own funds and functions.
Q6Exercises
Fill in the blanks: Since the United States is a ______ type of federation, all the constituent States have equal powers and States are ______ vis-à-vis the federal government. But India is a ______ type of federation and some States have more power than others. In India, the ______ government has more powers.
Solution
Since the United States is a coming together type of federation, all the constituent States have equal powers and States are strong vis-à-vis the federal government. But India is a holding together type of federation and some States have more power than others. In India, the Central government has more powers.
Q7Exercises
Here are three reactions to the language policy followed in India. Give an argument and an example to support any of these positions. Sangeeta: The policy of accommodation has strengthened national unity. Arman: Language-based States have divided us by making everyone conscious of their language. Harish: This policy has only helped to consolidate the dominance of English over all other languages.
Solution
I agree with Sangeeta's position that the policy of accommodation has strengthened national unity.
Argument:
The flexible and cautious language policy adopted by Indian leaders has helped our country avoid the kind of conflicts seen in other nations like Sri Lanka. Instead of imposing one language, the Constitution of India recognised Hindi as the official language while also safeguarding other languages. There are 22 languages recognised as Scheduled Languages, and states have their own official languages. This approach has ensured that no linguistic group feels alienated or suppressed, thereby fostering a sense of respect for diversity and a desire to live together. This accommodation has made the country more united.
Example:
When the use of English for official purposes was supposed to stop in 1965, many non-Hindi speaking states, particularly Tamil Nadu, protested strongly. The Central Government responded by agreeing to continue the use of English along with Hindi for official purposes. This decision averted a major crisis and showed that the concerns of all linguistic groups would be respected. This flexibility prevented the disintegration of the country and strengthened the spirit of federalism and national unity.
Q8Exercises
The distinguishing feature of a federal government is:
(a)
National government gives some powers to the provincial governments.
(b)
Power is distributed among the legislature, executive and judiciary.
(c)
Elected officials exercise supreme power in the government.
(d)
Governmental power is divided between different levels of government.
Solution
(d) Governmental power is divided between different levels of government.
Explanation: Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units (levels) of the country. Option (b) describes the horizontal distribution of power, not the vertical (federal) division.
Q9Exercises
A few subjects in various Lists of the Indian Constitution are given here. Group them under the Union, State and Concurrent Lists as provided in the table below.
A. Defence; B. Police; C. Agriculture; D. Education;
E. Banking; F. Forests; G. Communications; H. Trade; I. Marriages
Union List State List Concurrent List
Solution
| Union List | A. Defence, E. Banking, G. Communications |
|---|---|
| State List | B. Police, C. Agriculture, H. Trade |
| Concurrent List | D. Education, F. Forests, I. Marriages |
Q10Exercises
Examine the following pairs that give the level of government in India and the powers of the government at that level to make laws on the subjects mentioned against each. Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
(a) State government State List (b) Central government Union List (c) Central and State governments Concurrent List (d) Local governments Residuary powers
Solution
(d) Local governments - Residuary powers
Explanation: According to the Indian Constitution, the Union Government (Central Government) has the power to legislate on 'residuary' subjects, which are subjects that do not fall in any of the three lists. Local governments do not have the power to make laws on residuary subjects.
Q11Exercises
Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
List I List II 1. Union of India A. Prime Minister 2. State B. Sarpanch 3. Municipal Corporation C. Governor 4. Gram Panchayat D. Mayor
1 2 3 4 (a) D A B C (b) B C D A (c) A C D B (d) C D A B
Solution
(c) A C D B
Explanation:
- The head of the government for the Union of India is the Prime Minister (1-A).
- The constitutional head of a State is the Governor (2-C).
- The political head of a Municipal Corporation is the Mayor (3-D).
- The head of a Gram Panchayat is the Sarpanch (4-B).
Q12Exercises
Consider the following two statements. A. In a federation, the powers of the federal and provincial governments are clearly demarcated. B. India is a federation because the powers of the Union and State Governments are specified in the Constitution and they have exclusive jurisdiction on their respective subjects. C. Sri Lanka is a federation because the country is divided into provinces. D. India is no longer a federation because some powers of the States have been devolved to the local government bodies. Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a)
A, B and C
(b)
A, C and D
(c)
A and B only
(d)
B and C only
Solution
(c) A and B only
Explanation:
- Statement A is correct. A key feature of federalism is the clear specification of jurisdictions for different levels of government in the constitution.
- Statement B is correct. India is based on the principles of federalism, with a constitutional three-fold distribution of legislative powers.
- Statement C is incorrect. The chapter explicitly states that Sri Lanka is a unitary system, not a federation.
- Statement D is incorrect. The devolution of power to local government bodies represents a deepening of federalism into a third tier, not its abolition.