Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers on the topic “Federalism in India: Challenges and Solutions” to help prepare for the Civil Services Examination
1. Which Schedule of the Indian Constitution outlines the distribution of powers between the Centre and the States?
- A) Fifth Schedule
- B) Sixth Schedule
- C) Seventh Schedule
- D) Eighth Schedule
Answer: C) Seventh Schedule
2. What is the role of the Finance Commission in India’s federal system?
- A) Appoint Governors
- B) Allocate financial resources between the Centre and States
- C) Amend the Constitution
- D) Create new states
Answer: B) Allocate financial resources between the Centre and States
3. Which Article of the Indian Constitution deals with the imposition of President’s Rule in a state?
- A) Article 352
- B) Article 356
- C) Article 360
- D) Article 370
Answer: B) Article 356
4. The concept of “cooperative federalism” in India emphasizes which of the following?
- A) Only the Centre has power
- B) Cooperation between the Centre and the States
- C) Competition among states
- D) Uniform governance throughout India
Answer: B) Cooperation between the Centre and the States
5. Which of the following Constitutional Amendments introduced Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India?
- A) 61st Amendment
- B) 73rd Amendment
- C) 42nd Amendment
- D) 44th Amendment
Answer: B) 73rd Amendment
6. Which case laid down guidelines to curb the misuse of Article 356 for dismissing state governments?
- A) Keshavananda Bharati Case
- B) SR Bommai Case
- C) Minerva Mills Case
- D) Golaknath Case
Answer: B) SR Bommai Case
7. The State List in the Indian Constitution contains subjects on which:
- A) Only the Centre can legislate
- B) Only the State can legislate
- C) Both the Centre and the State can legislate
- D) Only the Union Territories can legislate
Answer: B) Only the State can legislate
8. The introduction of the Goods and Services Tax (GST) in India aimed at creating:
- A) A dual-tax system
- B) A unified indirect tax system
- C) A centralized direct tax system
- D) None of the above
Answer: B) A unified indirect tax system
9. The Inter-State Council was established under which Article of the Indian Constitution?
- A) Article 263
- B) Article 312
- C) Article 280
- D) Article 356
Answer: A) Article 263
10. Which of the following is a challenge to Indian federalism?
- A) Decentralization
- B) Linguistic and ethnic conflicts
- C) Autonomy of local governments
- D) Strengthening state finances
Answer: B) Linguistic and ethnic conflicts
11. The Concurrent List in the Indian Constitution represents subjects on which:
- A) Only the Centre can legislate
- B) Only the States can legislate
- C) Both the Centre and the States can legislate
- D) None of the above
Answer: C) Both the Centre and the States can legislate
12. What role does the Governor play in India’s federal structure?
- A) Directly elected by the people
- B) Head of state government
- C) Representative of the Centre in the state
- D) Independent authority from the Centre
Answer: C) Representative of the Centre in the state
13. Which Article of the Constitution originally gave special status to Jammu and Kashmir?
- A) Article 356
- B) Article 370
- C) Article 368
- D) Article 324
Answer: B) Article 370
14. The term “fiscal federalism” refers to:
- A) Financial relationships between states
- B) Distribution of financial resources between the Centre and States
- C) State taxation only
- D) National monetary policies
Answer: B) Distribution of financial resources between the Centre and States
15. Which Constitutional body recommends the distribution of taxes between the Union and the States?
- A) Finance Commission
- B) Election Commission
- C) Planning Commission
- D) National Development Council
Answer: A) Finance Commission
16. The principle of “subsidiarity” in federalism advocates for:
- A) Power centralized at the national level
- B) Power decentralized to the local level
- C) Power shared equally between Centre and States
- D) None of the above
Answer: B) Power decentralized to the local level
17. What is the primary purpose of the Zonal Councils in India?
- A) Provide legal advice to the government
- B) Ensure national security
- C) Foster cooperation among states in specific zones
- D) Allocate financial resources
Answer: C) Foster cooperation among states in specific zones
18. In India, financial emergencies can be proclaimed under which Article?
- A) Article 352
- B) Article 356
- C) Article 360
- D) Article 370
Answer: C) Article 360
19. The Sarkaria Commission was set up to examine:
- A) Centre-State relations
- B) India’s foreign policy
- C) Judiciary reform
- D) Electoral system
Answer: A) Centre-State relations
20. The division of powers between the Centre and States in India is:
- A) Symmetrical
- B) Asymmetrical
- C) Uniform
- D) Completely State-driven
Answer: B) Asymmetrical
21. Which list in the Indian Constitution contains subjects like public health, police, and agriculture?
- A) Union List
- B) State List
- C) Concurrent List
- D) Residuary List
Answer: B) State List
22. The demand for more autonomy by states can be attributed to:
- A) Centralization of power
- B) Linguistic uniformity
- C) Federal strengthening
- D) None of the above
Answer: A) Centralization of power
23. Which Constitutional Amendment Act reduced the dominance of the Union government in Centre-State relations by restoring the power of states over education?
- A) 52nd Amendment Act
- B) 44th Amendment Act
- C) 42nd Amendment Act
- D) 86th Amendment Act
Answer: D) 86th Amendment Act
24. Linguistic Reorganization of States was first undertaken in which year?
- A) 1956
- B) 1947
- C) 1961
- D) 1985
Answer: A) 1956
25. In case of a conflict between the Centre and the States over a subject in the Concurrent List, which law prevails?
- A) State law
- B) Centre law
- C) Presidential decree
- D) Judiciary decision
Answer: B) Centre law
26. What does Article 262 of the Indian Constitution deal with?
- A) Financial distribution
- B) Inter-State water disputes
- C) Appointment of Governors
- D) Power of the Judiciary
Answer: B) Inter-State water disputes
27. The Planning Commission of India (now replaced by NITI Aayog) was primarily a:
- A) Statutory body
- B) Non-statutory body
- C) Judicial body
- D) Executive body
Answer: B) Non-statutory body
28. The creation of new states in India is regulated by which Article?
- A) Article 2
- B) Article 3
- C) Article 5
- D) Article 10
Answer: B) Article 3
29. The concept of “One Nation, One Tax” is associated with:
- A) GST
- B) VAT
- C) Direct Tax Code
- D) Fiscal Deficit
Answer: A) GST
30. Which of the following states was the first to be reorganized on a linguistic basis?
- A) Andhra Pradesh
- B) Karnataka
- C) Kerala
- D) Tamil Nadu
Answer: A) Andhra Pradesh
These MCQs cover various aspects of federalism in India, including constitutional provisions, challenges, and solutions. They are designed to test a candidate’s understanding of both theoretical and practical aspects of Indian federalism.
