Federalism – Very Short Answer Type Questions
CBSE Class 10 – Social Science (Civics)
Subject: Political Science (Democratic Politics – II)
Chapter 2: Federalism – What is Federalism? | What makes India a Federal Country? | How is Federalism practised? | Decentralisation in India
Topic-wise Very Short Answer Type Questions with clear answers, strictly based on NCERT, ideal for CBSE Class 10 Board Examination preparation.
CBSE Board Examinations – Question Pattern (Indicative)
- Very Short Answer (VSA) Questions (1 Mark): Definitions, features, examples, objectives and one-point differences.
- Short Answer Questions (2–3 Marks): Brief explanations, reasons, importance of federalism, working of Panchayati Raj.
- Long Answer Questions (4–5 Marks): Analysis of India as a federal country, Centre–State relations, decentralisation and its significance.
Note for Students: These 50+ Very Short Answer Type Questions are planned strictly as per the NCERT textbook for Federalism. Use them for quick revision, concept clarity and last-minute practice for CBSE Class 10 Social Science Board exams.
1. Basics of Federalism – Meaning and Concept
Basics of Federalism
Q1. What is federalism?
Ans. Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units of a country.
Basics of Federalism
Q2. Name the two levels of government in a federal system like India.
Ans. The two levels are the Union (Central) Government and the State Governments.
Basics of Federalism
Q3. Give one example of a federal country other than India.
Ans. The United States of America (USA) is an example of a federal country.
Basics of Federalism
Q4. Give one example of a unitary country.
Ans. Sri Lanka is an example of a unitary country.
Basics of Federalism
Q5. Why is federalism suitable for large countries?
Ans. Federalism is suitable because it allows sharing of power so that different regions can be governed according to their needs while remaining united.
Basics of Federalism
Q6. What is the main objective of a federal system?
Ans. The main objective is to balance unity of the country with recognition and protection of regional diversities.
2. Key Features of Federalism
Features of Federalism
Q7. Name any one feature of a federal government.
Ans. There are two or more levels of government, such as national and state governments.
Features of Federalism
Q8. Why is a written Constitution important in a federal system?
Ans. A written Constitution clearly defines the powers and functions of each level of government and protects the federal structure.
Features of Federalism
Q9. What is meant by supremacy of the Constitution?
Ans. Supremacy of the Constitution means that the Constitution is the highest law and all governments must act according to it.
Features of Federalism
Q10. What role does an independent judiciary play in a federal system?
Ans. An independent judiciary settles disputes between different levels of government and protects the federal nature of the Constitution.
Features of Federalism
Q11. How are powers usually divided in a federal country?
Ans. Powers are divided by the Constitution so that each level of government has its own jurisdiction.
Features of Federalism
Q12. Why should each level of government have its own sources of revenue?
Ans. Each level needs its own revenue to perform its functions independently and efficiently.
Unitary vs Federal
Q13. In which system can the central government change the powers of regional governments – unitary or federal?
Ans. In a unitary system, the central government can change the powers of regional governments.
Unitary vs Federal
Q14. In which system are state governments constitutionally protected – unitary or federal?
Ans. In a federal system, state governments are constitutionally protected.
3. What Makes India a Federal Country?
India as a Federal Country
Q15. Does the Indian Constitution use the word “federation” in its Preamble?
Ans. No, the Indian Constitution does not use the word “federation” in the Preamble.
India as a Federal Country
Q16. How many lists of subjects are there in the Indian federal system?
Ans. There are three lists of subjects – Union List, State List and Concurrent List.
India as a Federal Country
Q17. What is the Union List?
Ans. The Union List contains subjects of national importance on which only the Union Government can make laws, such as defence and foreign affairs.
India as a Federal Country
Q18. What is the State List?
Ans. The State List contains subjects of state and regional importance on which only State Governments normally make laws, like police and agriculture.
India as a Federal Country
Q19. What is the Concurrent List?
Ans. The Concurrent List includes subjects of common interest to both Union and States, like education and forests, on which both can make laws.
India as a Federal Country
Q20. What happens if there is a conflict between Union and State law on a Concurrent List subject?
Ans. In case of conflict on a Concurrent List subject, the Union law prevails.
India as a Federal Country
Q21. What are residuary subjects?
Ans. Residuary subjects are those which are not mentioned in any of the three lists of the Constitution.
India as a Federal Country
Q22. Who has the power to make laws on residuary subjects in India?
Ans. In India, the Union Government has the power to make laws on residuary subjects.
India as a Federal Country
Q23. Why is India called a “federal country with a strong centre”?
Ans. India is called so because powers are shared between Union and States, but the Union has more powers in certain areas.
India as a Federal Country
Q24. Name the highest court that protects the Constitution in India.
Ans. The Supreme Court of India is the highest court that protects the Constitution.
4. How is Federalism Practised? – Linguistic States & Language Policy
4.1 Linguistic States
Linguistic States
Q25. What is meant by a linguistic state?
Ans. A linguistic state is a state formed mainly on the basis of language spoken by the majority of its people.
Linguistic States
Q26. Which was the first state created on linguistic basis in India?
Ans. Andhra Pradesh was the first state created on linguistic basis for Telugu-speaking people.
Linguistic States
Q27. Has the creation of linguistic states strengthened or weakened India?
Ans. It has strengthened India, as it recognised regional demands and made people feel more united with the country.
Linguistic States
Q28. Why were demands for linguistic states accepted by the Indian government?
Ans. They were accepted to respect people’s language and culture and to make administration easier and more efficient.
4.2 Language Policy
Language Policy
Q29. Which language is recognised as the official language of the Union in India?
Ans. Hindi in Devanagari script is recognised as the official language of the Union.
Language Policy
Q30. Is there any national language declared in the Indian Constitution?
Ans. No, the Indian Constitution does not declare any language as the national language.
Language Policy
Q31. Name the language that continues as an associate official language along with Hindi.
Ans. English continues as an associate official language along with Hindi.
Language Policy
Q32. Who decides the official language of a state?
Ans. The State Government decides its own official language or languages.
Language Policy
Q33. How does India’s language policy support federalism?
Ans. It supports federalism by giving equal respect to all languages and allowing states to have their own official languages.
5. Changing Centre–State Relations
Centre–State Relations
Q34. Who was more powerful in the early years after independence – Centre or States?
Ans. In the early years, the Centre was more powerful than the States because the same party ruled at both levels.
Centre–State Relations
Q35. How did the rise of regional parties affect Centre–State relations?
Ans. The rise of regional parties led to coalition governments at the Centre, giving States a stronger voice in national politics.
Centre–State Relations
Q36. What is President’s Rule?
Ans. President’s Rule is a situation when the State Government is dismissed and the Central Government directly rules the state.
Centre–State Relations
Q37. Has the use of President’s Rule increased or reduced in recent decades?
Ans. The use of President’s Rule has reduced in recent decades due to stronger federal practices and judicial checks.
Centre–State Relations
Q38. How do coalition governments strengthen federalism?
Ans. Coalition governments require support of regional parties, so the Centre has to consult states more, strengthening federalism.
6. Decentralisation in India
6.1 Meaning and Need for Decentralisation
Decentralisation
Q39. What is decentralisation?
Ans. Decentralisation means transferring power and responsibilities from higher levels of government to local levels.
Decentralisation
Q40. Why is decentralisation important in a democracy?
Ans. It is important because it allows people to participate directly in decision-making at the local level and improves efficiency.
Decentralisation
Q41. Which Constitutional Amendment strengthened decentralisation in India?
Ans. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) strengthened decentralisation in rural areas.
Decentralisation
Q42. What is local self-government?
Ans. Local self-government is government by local bodies, such as Panchayats and Municipalities, elected by local people.
6.2 Panchayati Raj Institutions
Panchayati Raj
Q43. Name the three levels of Panchayati Raj in rural areas.
Ans. Gram Panchayat (village), Panchayat Samiti or Block Panchayat (intermediate), and Zila Parishad (district).
Panchayati Raj
Q44. Who elects the members of the Gram Panchayat?
Ans. All adult residents of the village, who are members of the Gram Sabha, elect the Gram Panchayat.
Panchayati Raj
Q45. What is Gram Sabha?
Ans. Gram Sabha is a body consisting of all adult voters of a village, which meets to discuss and approve important decisions.
Panchayati Raj
Q46. For how many years is a Panchayat elected?
Ans. A Panchayat is elected for five years.
Panchayati Raj
Q47. What proportion of seats in Panchayats is reserved for women?
Ans. At least one-third of the seats in Panchayats are reserved for women.
Panchayati Raj
Q48. For which social groups are seats reserved in Panchayati Raj institutions?
Ans. Seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in Panchayati Raj institutions.
Panchayati Raj
Q49. Who conducts elections to Panchayats and Municipalities?
Ans. The State Election Commission conducts elections to Panchayats and Municipalities.
6.3 Urban Local Bodies
Urban Local Government
Q50. Name the local body that governs big cities.
Ans. Big cities are governed by Municipal Corporations.
Urban Local Government
Q51. What is the role of Municipalities?
Ans. Municipalities look after civic amenities in smaller towns, such as roads, street lights, water supply and sanitation.
7. Conceptual & Exam-Oriented Very Short Questions
Concept Check
Q52. How does federalism promote national unity?
Ans. Federalism promotes unity by sharing power with different regions and communities, reducing conflicts and feelings of neglect.
Concept Check
Q53. Name any one subject from the Union List.
Ans. Defence is one subject in the Union List.
Concept Check
Q54. Name any one subject from the State List.
Ans. Police is one subject in the State List.
Concept Check
Q55. Name any one subject from the Concurrent List.
Ans. Education is one subject in the Concurrent List.
Concept Check
Q56. Which tier of government is closest to the people?
Ans. Local self-government bodies like Panchayats and Municipalities are closest to the people.
Concept Check
Q57. Why are local governments called the “third tier” of government?
Ans. They are called the third tier because they exist below the Union and State Governments in the federal structure.
Exam Focus
Q58. Which chapter of the NCERT Class 10 Civics textbook deals with Federalism?
Ans. Chapter 2 of the NCERT Class 10 Civics (Democratic Politics – II) textbook deals with Federalism.
Exam Focus
Q59. How many levels of government does the Indian federal system now practically have?
Ans. It now has three levels of government – Union, State and Local Governments.
Exam Focus
Q60. Which feature of federalism helps in protecting the rights of citizens?
Ans. Independent judiciary and supremacy of the Constitution help in protecting the rights of citizens in a federal system.