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FEDERALISM - X
Q.1 What is Federalism?
Ans. It refers to a system of government in which the power is divided between the central,
state and local govt.
Q.2 Write the main features of federalism?
Ans. The main features are as follows:
(a) There are two or more than two levels of the government.
(b) The power and the duties of the respective levels of the govt. are specified in the
constitution.
(c) Sources of revenue of each level of the govt. are clearly specified to ensure financial
autonomy.
(d) No govt. is authorized to change the fundamental provision of the constitution.
(e) Each tier has its own jurisdiction.
Q3. Difference between Federal and Unitary Govt.?
Ans. Unitary Govt. In this system of the govt. there is only one level of the govt. The sub
units have no power on their own. They only follow the order of the central govt. It has a
single citizenship. Example: - France and China
Federal Govt. In this system of govt. the power is divided into central, state and local govt.
The all are independent. The Central govt. cannot order the state govt. to do something. It
has a dual citizenship one of the country and one of the state. Example:-
Belgium and Canada.
Q3.What are Union Territories?
Ans (a) These areas are relatively small in size.
(b) They are directly governed by the central govt.
(c) They do not have powers of state govt.
(d) Eg. Pondicherry, Daman, Diu etc.
Q.5 What makes India a Federal form of govt?
OR
India is federal country justify? By giving facts?
Ans. (a) India is a federal country because we have three tiers of the govt. i.e. central, state
and local bodies.
(b) Each tiers has its well defined functions and responsibilities.
(c) Each tier of the govt. has its own independent source of revenue.
(d) There are 3 list i.e. state, union and concurrent list which specifies the different
activities.
Q.6 How does the federal system in India differ from the federal system of USA?
OR
What do you mean by Holding together and coming together?
Ans. Both USA and India have federal form of govt. but the structure of USA is different
from India.
Coming Together: In USA the type of federal system is called as coming together.
Their Features are:
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(a) Many independent states came together and grouped themselves into a bigger nation.
(b) All the constituents states have equal power.
(c) Individuals state retain their identity.
(d) All the states are equally strong.
Eg. U.S.A, Australia, Switzerland.
Holding Together:
In India the type federal system is holding together and its features are: -
(a) A large country decides to divide its power between the constituent states and national
govt.
(b) The central govt. tends to be more powerful than states.
(c) Different constituents states have unequal power while some units are granted special
power. Eg. India, Spain and Belgium .

Q.7 What is decentralization of power?

Ans. India is a vast country which cannot be run by two tiers of the govt. Therefore the power is
taken from the state and central govt. and given to the local govt.
Q.8 When was the third tier of democracy added to our constitution? Write its main
features also?
Ans. The constitution was amended in 1992 to make the third tier of Indian democracy more
powerful and effective. Its main features are as follows:
a) Election of local bodies to be held at the regular intervals.
b) Atleast 1/3 of the seats are reserved for women.
c) Seats are also reserved in local bodies for SC, ST and OBC candidates.
d) State election commission has been set up to hold fair panchayat municipal corporation
election.
Q.9 Mention any four advantages of decentralization or third tier of govt.?
Ans. They are as follows:
a) It reduces the burden of central and state govt.
b) Local people have better knowledge about the problem of their localities.
c) In this people can also take part in decision making.
d) Local govt. is a training school for local citizens and local leadership.
Q.10 Mention the ways in which federalism has been strengthened in India?
Ans. In the following ways: -
(i) Setting up of Linguistic State: In 1956 state of Indian Union were recognized.
Language formed the basis of new state. They are keep on changing from 1947 – 2013
like Jharkhand, Nagaland and Uttarakhand.
(ii) Language Policy: No language has been imposed on any state although Hindi has been
accepted as the official language of the country. All individual states have their own
official language.
(iii) Reconstructing of centre state relations: These have been changed from time to time
according to the needs of the situation.
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(iv) Decentralization of power: Power has been decentralized to the local level by forming
local govt.
Q.11 How are the responsibilities and functions divided between the different tires of the
govt. in India?
Ans. The constitution of India has identified the different areas of activities of a govt. which
are as follows: -
(i) Union List: It includes all these subjects that are of National importance. Eg. National
defence, Currency, Banking, Railways etc.
(ii) State List: It includes all those subjects that are of state and local importance. Eg.
Agriculture, law and order, domestic trade etc.
(iii) Concurrent List: It includes all subjects that are of common interest to both state as
well as central govt. Eg. Education, Trade union etc.
(iv) Residuary Subject: There may be some subject that may not appear in any of three list,
these are called Residuary subject. Eg. Computer Software.
Q.12 Describe special power or provision for some states in India?
Ans. The Constitution of India does not grant equal power to all states. Some states enjoy
special status which are as follows:

(i) North Eastern and smaller states have been given more representation in the Rajya
Sabha.
(ii) North Eastern states such as Assam, Nagaland, Arunachal Pradesh and Mizoram have
large tribal population with their history and culture, can be retained under article 371.
(iii) There are some areas which are too small to become an independent state like Delhi,
Lakshadweep etc. They could not be merged with any of the existing state they are
called as territories.
Q.13 Explain the main features of Language policy of India?
Ans. The main features of the Language policy adopted in India are as follows:-
(a) Each state in India has its own official language but Hindi is considered as a official
language.
(b) There are twenty one other languages besides Hindi that are recognized as scheduled
languages in the constitution which mean that a candidate in an examination
conducted by Central govt. may write his exam in any of these language.
(c) Most of the govt. work in each state takes place in the official language of that state. (d)
Promotion of Hindi continuous to be the official policies of the govt. of India but it
does not mean that Hindi will be imposed on non-Hindi speaking states.
Q.14 Why were the linguistic states created? What are their advantages?
Ans (a) The boundaries of several old states were changed in 1947 and new states were created
on the basis of languages.
(b) The formation of linguistic states has actually made the country more united.
(c) It has also made the administration of a state easier.
Q.15 What is Panchayati Raj? Also write its importance?
Ans. The rural local government in villages are called Panchayati Raj.
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Importance of Panchayati Raj

(a) It helps in the decentralization of power. There are a large number of problems and
issues which are now successfully settled at the local level.
(b) It has contributed significantly towards reducing the burden of the central govt.
(c) It allows local people to directly participate in decision – making.
Q. 16. On which amendment of the constitution of India, the Panchayati Raj system is
based?
73rd
Ans. Amendment.
Q17. Name the institution under which the panchayat works?
Ans. Gram Sabha
Q18. Who are the members of the Gram Sabha?
Ans. All the voters in a village are the members of the Gram Sabha.
Q.19 What is Gram Panchayat?
Ans. It is a council consisting of several ward members called ‘panch’ and a president called
‘Sarpanch’, ‘Pradhan’ or ‘Mukhiya’.
Q20. Who is ‘Sarpanch’?
Ans. The head of Gram Panchayat is called Sarpanch.
Q21. How are the Village Sarpanch and Panchayat elected?
Ans. They are directly elected by all the adult population living in that ward or village.
Q.22 Who is the political head of the Municipal Corporation?
Ans. Mayor
Q23. Who is the political head of the Municipality?
Ans. The Municipal Chairperson
Q24. Explain two achievement and two difficulties of the local self government in India.
Ans. Two achievement of Local Self government in India are:-
(a) It has made the administration easier.
(b) It has made the country more united and stronger. The
difficulties faced by Local self government are as follows:-
(a) There is a shortage of resources.
(b) Gram Sabhas are not held regularly.
Q.25 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.
Ans. Similar Feature: - Like Belgium Federalism, Indian Federalism also gives constutional
powers to the regional and local governments.
Different Feature: - Unlike in Belgium Federalism, In Indian Federalism regional and
local governments are dependent on the central govt. for finance and other matters of national
importance.