SSPM’S

Sri Sri Ravishankar Vidyamandir

Political Science
Std 10
Chapter- Federalism
Notes

Q.1. Explain the features of federalism.

ANS- Federalism is a system of the government in which the power is divided between a
central authority and its various constituent units of the country. The power is shared
amongst the central government, various states, regional and local government. Both the
central and the state government are answerable to the people that elect them.
The features are as follows.
1. There are two or more levels of government.
2. Different levels of government govern the same citizens, where each level has its
own jurisdiction in specific matters of legislation, taxation and administration.
3. Existence and authority of each level of government is constitutionally governed.
4. The fundamental provisions of the constitution cannot be unilaterally changed. Such
changes require the consent of both the levels of government.
5. Courts have the power to interpret the constitution. The highest court acts as the
umpire if any dispute arises between different levels of government.
6. Sources of revenue for each level of government are specified to ensure its financial
autonomy.
7. The main motive of federalism is to safeguard and promote the unity of the country
and accommodate the regional differences in the country.

Q.2. Distinguish between ‘holding together’ and ‘coming together’ form of government.

Holding together federalism Coming together federalism

When a large country decides to divide Independent states come together on
its power between the constituent their own to form a bigger unit, it is
States and the national government, it known as Coming together federalism.
is known as Holding together
federalism.
In this kind of federation, all the In this kind of federation, the central
constituent States usually have equal government tends to be more
powers powerful vis-à-vis the States.
 All the states come together to pool The central government ensures the
their sovereignty and retain identity to sovereignty of the country.
increase their security

Example: USA and Australia Example: India and Spain

Q.3. What are the three types of list?

ANS-1) Union List-
a) Union list includes the subjects of national importance such as defence of country,
foreign affairs, banking communications and currency.
b) They are included in this list because we need a uniform policy on these matters
throughout the country.
c) The union government alone can make laws relating to subjects mentioned in the
union list.
2) State List-
a) It contains subjects of state and local importance such as police, trade, commerce,
agriculture and irrigation.
b) The state government alone can make laws relating to the subjects mentioned in the
state list.
3) Concurrent List-
a) It includes subjects of common interest to both the Union as well as the state
government such as education, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoptions and
succession.
b) Both the union as well as the state government can make laws on subjects mentioned
in the list.
c) If their laws conflict with each other, the law made by the Union Government will
prevail.
4) Residuary List-
a) It includes the subjects such as computer software that came up after constitution
was made.
b) According to our constitution, the union government has the power to legislate on
these ‘residuary subject’
Q.4. How is federalism practised in India?
Or
Which policies have strengthened federalism in India?
 ANS-
Federalism has succeeded in India due to the nature of democratic policies in our country. 

The policies adopted by India to ensure this success: 

(i) Linguistic States: After independence, the boundaries of several old states were changed
in order to create new states. The creation of linguistic states was the first and a major test
for democratic politics in our country. 

(ii) Language Policy: The second test for the Indian federation is the language policy. The
Indian constitution did not give the status of national language to any one of the language. 

(iii) Centre-State Relations: Restructuring the centre-state relations is one more way in

which federalism has been strengthened in practice. 

(iv) Decentralisation of Power: Power in India has been decentralised to the local

government. The local government includes Panchayats in villages and municipalities in
urban areas.

Q.5 What is decentralisation?

ANS- 1) When power is taken away from the centre and the state government and given to
the local self-government is called decentralisation.
2) The basic idea behind this was
a) India has a large number of problems and issues which can be solved best at the local
level as people have better knowledge of the problems of their locality.
b) They also have a better idea of where to spend the money and how to manage things
efficiently.
3) At the local level, it is possible for the people to directly participate in its decision making
as this helps to inculcate a habit of democratic participation.
Q.6. “It has been found that democratic government does not always result in economic
growth”. Explain.
ANS- 1) Evidence shows the economic growth in democracy between 1950 and 2000 were
not impressive.
2) Its growth depends on various factors like population, size, global situation, cooperation
from different countries and economic priorities adopted by them.
3) But the difference in the rates of economic growth between dictatorship and
democracies is not much.
Q.6. How do we make changes in power sharing arrangements? How is a dispute related
to power sharing solved?
ANS- 1) Power sharing between the state and the union government is the basis to the
constitution and it is not easy to make changes.
2) Any change has to be passed by both the houses of the parliament with at least two-third
majority and then has to be approved by the legislatures of at least half of the states.
3) States like Jammu and Kashmir have their own constitution and many provisions of Indian
constitution are not applicable but can be approved by the state assembly only.
4) Some states enjoy very little power and are too small to become an independent state
but could not be merged with any of its neighbouring states.
Q.7. What are the values associated with federalism?
ANS-1) Safeguarding and promoting unity of our country.
2) Accommodating regional diversity.
3) Establishing mutual trust and agreement to live together.

Q.7. “Democracy is a better form of government than any other.”. Explain.

1) It supports the dignity and freedom of citizens as a lot of conflicts take place amongst the
human beings as they feel that they are not treated with due respect.
2) Democracies throughout the world have recognized their principle and have achieved it
in various degrees. The dignity of women created sensitivity for respect and equal treatment
against a male dominated society.
3) Democracy in India has strengthened the rules of caste inequalities by giving equal status
and opportunities.
4) This type of government is legitimate, which may be slow, less efficient, not always
responsive and clean.
5) But it is people’s own government and that is why there is an overwhelming support for
the idea of democracy all over the world.
Q. 8. Explain the role of government in reducing economic disparities.
1) The government ensures equal distribution of wealth so as to reduce the gap between
rich and poor.
2) It undertakes extensive social welfare schemes and strives to achieve universal literacy
rate.
3. It takes care to provide equal opportunities to all and makes sure that no discrimination is
being done on the basis of economic status, caste, etc.
Q.9. “Constant complaints by the people can be seen as a testimony in the success of
democracy.” Explain.

ANS- 1) Complaints highlight the awareness of people and their expectations from the system
that has been put in place.

2) It reflects that they are not overawed by those in power and can objectively and critically
examine the difference they have made.

3) It is a measure of their participation in public debates which democracy seeks to encourage.

4) A public expression of dissatisfaction with democracy shows the success of a democratic

project. It shows the people have transformed themselves from being subjects to being citizens.

Q.10. “Democracy is seen to be good in principle but felt to be not so good in practice.” Justify.

ANS- 1) In a democracy, people expect to have their needs and expectations fulfilled but because
every country has a diverse culture, it is not always possible.

2) It is not simply ruled by majority but there are instances where the minority’s opinion is not
taken into account.

3) If there is corruption, people lose faith in the govt and do not feel the need to vote which is
not healthy for a country.

4) Regular elections may lead to change in the ruling party which causes instability and fall
in economic development.

5) If people are not wise in choosing their representatives, then even though there is room
to correct mistakes, the country will suffer and so will the people.
Extra Questions.

 1. Which are the different provisions of the Indian constitution that make India a federal country?

2. What is federalism? Explain its key features.

3. What are the dual objective of a federal system? Explain them.

4. What makes India a federal country?

5. Explain the role of the judiciary in a federal country?

6. What is the main difference between a federal form of government and a unitary one? Explain
with an example.

7. Explain the steps taken by the constitutional amendments of 1992 to make the local self-
government more powerful and effective.

8. State any two differences between the local government before and after the Constitutional
amendment in 1992.

9. In a federation, the powers of the federal and provincial governments are clearly demarcated.
True or False?

10. Which are the two routes through which federations get formed?