CBSE Class 10 Social Science HOTs Federalism

MCQ Questions for Class 10 Social Science Federalism

Question :  Which of the following define the above image correctly ?
(a) Mutual understanding between the Coalition partner.
(b) The states should not go to the centre with a begging bowl.
(c) The states pled for more power.
(d) It is against the essence of federalism.
Answer : C

Question : In which Schedule of the Indian Constitution are the 22 scheduled languages included ?
(a) Eighth schedule
(b) Tenth schedule
(c) Twelfth schedule
(d) Ninth schedule
Answer : A

Question : When was the use of English for official purposes stopped ?
(a) 1956
(b) 1958
(c) 1960
(d) 1965
Answer : D

Question : Which of the following includes foreign affairs ?
(a) Union list
(b) State list
(c) Concurrent list
(d) Federal list
Answer : A

Question : What is the third tier of government known as ?
(a) Village Panchayats
(b) Local self-government
(c) Zila Parishad
(d) State government
Answer : B

Question : ‘Coming together federation’ is not found in which of the following country ?
(a) India
(b) U.S.A.
(c) Switzerland
(d) Australia
Answer : A

Question : Consider the following statements regarding language policy of Indian Federation.
1. Hindi was identified as the official language.
2. Besides Hindi, there are 21 other languages recognised as scheduled languages.
3. English can be used along with Hindi for offical purpose.
Choose the right option from the following :
(a) 1 and 3
(b) 1 and 2
(c) only 1
(d) 1,2 and 3
Answer : D

True/False

Question : The creation of linguistic states was the first and major test for democratic politics in our country.
Answer : True

Question : Municipalities function in big cities.
Answer : False

Question : A Gram Panchayat performs the functions that aim at decentralising political power. (True/False)
Answer : True

Assertion and Reasoning Based Questions

Mark the option which is most suitable :
(a) If both assertion and reason are true and reason is the correct explanation of assertion.
(b) If both assertion and reason are true but reason is not the correct explanation of assertion.
(c) If assertion is true but reason is false.
(d) If both assertion and reason are false.

Question : Assertion : A major step towards decentralisation was taken in 1992 by amending the constitution.
Reason : Constitution was amended to make the third tier of democracy more powerful and effective.
Answer : (a) The constitution was amended in 1992 to make the third tier more powerful and effective. It includes steps like regular elections for local government bodies, reservation of seats for OBCs, SCs, STs and women and creation of State Election Commission. The reason thus, justifies the assertion.

Question : Assertion : Belgium and Spain has ‘holding together’ federation.
Reason : A big country divides power between constituent states and national government.
Answer : (a) The power of a large country is divided between constituent states and national government. The Central government is more powerful than the states.

Question : Assertion : Third-tier of government is local government.
Reason : It made democracy weak.
Answer : (c) The third tier of government is done through decentralisation. It helped in making democracy stronger by bringing it to grass root level. Thus, the reason is false but assertion stands true.

Question : Assertion : Hindi is identified as the only official language of India.
Reason : It helped in creating supremacy of Hindi speaking people over others.
Answer : (c) Hindi is the identified as official language of India. However, it is spoken by only 40 per cent of Indians. Thus, to safeguard the rights of other linguistic communities, 21 other languages were recognized as Scheduled Languages by the Constitution.

Question : Assertion : India has a federal system.
Reason : Under a unitary system, either there is only one level of government or the sub-units are subordinate to Central government.
Answer : (b) India has a federal government. There is a central government for the entire country and state governments for different regions. The reason is also true but does not justify the statement.

Source/Extract Based Questions

Read the source given below and answer the following questions.

Union List includes subjects of national importance such as defence of the country, foreign affairs, banking, communications and currency. They are included in this list because we need a uniform policy on these matters throughout the country. The Union Government alone can make laws relating to the subjects mentioned in the Union List. State List contains subjects of State and local importance such as police, trade, commerce, agriculture and irrigation. The State Governments forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption and succession. Both the Union as well as the State Governments can make laws on the subjects mentioned in this list. If their laws conflict with each other, the law made by the Union Government will prevail. Answer the following MCQs by choosing the most appropriate option:

Question : In which of the following categories the legislative powers have been distributed between the Union Government and the State Government ?
(a) Union List
(b) State List
(c) Concurrent List
(d) All of these
Answer : (d) All of these

Question : How many subjects are mentioned in the Union List?
(a) 44
(b) 86
(c) 97
(d) All of the above.
Answer : (c) 97

Question : Which one of the following subjects is included in the State List ?
(a) Agriculture
(b) Defence
(c) Marriage
(d) All of them
Answer : (a) Agriculture

Question : Which of the following can make laws regarding currency?
(a) Union Government
(b) State Government
(c) Local Government
(d) All of them
Answer : (a) Union Government

Question : Which is the highest institution of Panchayati Raj in India?
Answer : Zilla Parishad 

Question. Name the states in India which enjoy special powers under Article 371 of the Indian Constitution.
Answer : Assam
Nagaland
Arunachal Pradesh
Mizoram

Question. The following cartoon depicts the negative aspects of coalition government at the centre. Identify any two negative aspects.

Answer : 1.The Regional parties exert undue pressure on central govrnment to protect regional interest at the cost national interest.
2.This pressure politics may weaken the central goverment

Question. The Central Government passed a law banning Electric fencing of agricultural fields near forests .At the same time the state government passes a law allowing farmers to erect Electric Fencing with the special permission from the Village officer. Which law will prevail? Why?
Answer : The Central Law will prevail because Prevention of cruelty against animals is a subject in the concurrent list and if two laws conflict with each other the law made by the Central government will prevail if it belongs to the concurrent list.

Question : Much of the official work in Indian state is done in which language? 
Answer : Much of the official work in Indian states is done in the language of the state.

Question : How do the central and state governments enjoy their power in federal system?
Answer : The central and state governments enjoy powers because their 'Powers' are clearly divided in Union list and State list. They exercise authority equally on items listed is the concurrent list. The two governments operate according to their jurisdiction.

Question : What is the system of Panchayati Raj?
Answer : In India, the Panchayati Raj functions as a system of governance in which gram panchayats are the basic units of local administration. The system has three levels: Gram Panchayat (village level), Block Samiti or Panchayat Samiti (block level), and Zilla Parishad (district level). 

Question : In which list of the Indian constitution does education come? Why? 
Answer : Education comes under the concurrent list; so both the states and the centre can legislate on any aspect of education.

Question : Differentiate between Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat.
Answer : Gram Panchayat is a council consisting of several ward members often called 'Panch' and a president called 'Sarpanch'. It is the decision making body for the village. The Panchayat works under the overall supervision of the 'Gram Sabha'. All the voters in the village are its members. 

Question : What are the three lists given in the Constitution? 
Answer : The three-fold distribution of legislative powers are :
(i) Union list : Union lists consist of 97 subjects. It includes subjects of national importance such as defence of the country, foreign affairs, banking, communication and currency.
(ii) State list : State list consists of 66 subjects. It contains subjects of state and local importance such as police, trade, commerce, agriculture and irrigation.
(iii) Concurrent list : Concurrent list consists of 47 subjects It includes subjects of common interest to both such as education, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption and succession.

Question : How are the powers divided between the states and centre? Explain with examples 
Answer : (i) There is three-fold distribution of legislative powers :
(a) Union list : Union lists consist of 97 subjects. It includes subjects of national importance such as defence of the country, foreign affairs, banking, communication and currency.
(b) State list : State list consists of 66 subjects. It contains subjects of state and local importance such as police, trade, commerce, agriculture and irrigation.
(c) Concurrent list : Concurrent list consists of 47 subjects. It includes subjects of common interest to both such as education, forest trade unions, marriage, adoption and succession.
(ii) Union Government can make laws on the subjects which are not covered under these lists. These subjects are put in residuary list.

Question : "Local governments have made a significant impact on Indian democracy. At the same time there are many difficulties". Explain.
Answer : Impact of local self government on Indian democracy : (i) Constitutional status for local government has helped to deepen democracy. (ii) It has increased women's representation and voice in our democracy.
Difficulties :
(i) Gram sabhas are not held regularly.
(ii) Most state governments have not transferred significant powers to local government.
(iii) State government do not provide adequate resources to the gram sabhas.

Question : Which type of powers does the community government of Belgium enjoy? 
Answer : In Belgium, there is the form of community government which is elected by the people belonging to any one language community, i.e. German, French or Dutch. This gives every group proper representation and they can voice their issues associated with the language, culture and its prospective education system.

Question : How has the Panchayati Raj strengthened the democracy in India? Express your views. 
Answer : Panchayati Raj is the best example of decentralisation of power.
(i) People can get most of their problems solved at the local level by participating in decision making. This is because people understand the problems better and can find better solutions locally. (iii) People can think and plan for themselves.

Question. Explain the Concurrent list of the Indian Constitution
Answer : 1. Concurrent List includes subjects of common interest to both the Union Government as well as the State Governments, such as education, forest, trade unions, marriage, and adoption
Succession etc
2. Both the Union as well as the State Governments can make laws on the subjects mentioned in this list.
3. If their laws conflict with each other, the law made by the Union Government will prevail.

Question. Why it is not easy to make changes to this power sharing arrangement in India?
Answer : 1. The Parliament cannot on its own change the power sharing arrangement.
2. Any change to it has to be first passed by both the Houses of Parliament with at least two-thirds majority.
3. Then it has to be ratified by the legislatures of at least half of the total States.

Question. If the Federal experiment has succeeded in India, it is not merely because of the clearly laid out constitutional provisions. Do you agree with the statement? Justify your answer.
Answer : 1. Well defined and clear constitutional provisions have a major role in the success of Federal system but that is not enough.
2. The real success of Federalism can be attributed to the nature of democratic politics of our country
3. Respect for diversity and desire for living together became shared ideals in our country

Question. Explain the Union list of the Indian Constitution
Answer : 1. Union List of the Indian constitution includes subjects of national importance such as defence of the country, foreign affairs, banking, and communications currency. Etc.
2. They are included in this list because we need a uniform policy on these matters throughout the country.
3. The Union Government alone can make laws relating to the subjects mentioned in the Union List.

Question. ExplainLocal government bodies in urbanareas .
Answer : 1. Municipalities are set up in towns in cities and municipal corporations are set up in big cities
2. Both municipalities and municipal corporations are controlled by elected representatives.
3. Municipal chairperson is the political head of the municipality the Mayor is of the municipal corporation

Question. What is the role of Judiciary in a Federation?
Answer : 1. The judiciary plays an important role in overseeing the implementation of constitutional provisions and procedures in a Federal system.
2. In case of any dispute about the division of powers, the High Courts and the Supreme Court make a decision.
3. The Judiciary has to be independent and impartial to ensure mutual trust between different levels of government and to uphold the spirit of Federalism

Long Questions for Class 10 Social Science Federalism

Question : Describe any three features of ‘federalism’.
Answer :  Important aspects of federalism are Governments at different levels should agree to some rules of power sharing. They should also trust that each would abide by its part of the agreement. An ideal federal system has both aspects: mutual trust and agreement to live together. The key features are as follows : There are two or more levels (or tiers) of government. • Different tiers of government govern the same citizens, but each tier has its own jurisdiction in specific matters of legislation, taxation and administration. The jurisdictions of the respective levels or tiers of government are specified in the constitution. So, the existence and authority of each tier of government is constitutionally guaranteed. The fundamental provisions of the constitution cannot be unilaterally changed by one level of government. Such changes require the consent of both the levels of government. Courts have the power to interpret the constitution and the powers of different levels of government. The highest court acts as an umpire if disputes arise between different levels of government in the exercise of their respective powers. Sources of revenue for each level of government are clearly specified to ensure its financial autonomy. The federal system thus has dual objectives: to safeguard and promote unity of the country, while at the same time accommodate regional diversity.  

Question : Why has federalism succeeded in India? Which were the policies adopted by India that ensured this success? Explain.
Answer :  The creation of Linguistic States was the first and a major test for democratic politics in our country:
(a) Many old states as they were before independent, have been replaced with new states with changed geographies and names. In 1947, the boundaries of several old states were changed in order to create new states. This was done to ensure that people who spoke the same language lived in the same state. Some states were created not on the basis of language but to recognize differences based on culture, ethnicity or geography. These include States like Nagaland, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand.
(b) Language policy : A second test for Indian federation is the language policy. Our Constitution did not give the status of national language to any one language. Hindi was identified as the official language. However, Hindi is the mother tongue of only about 40 per cent of Indians. Therefore, many safeguards were put to protect other languages. Besides Hindi, there are 21 other languages recognized as Scheduled Languages in the Constitution.
(c) Centre-State relations: Restructuring the Centre - State relations is one more way in which federalism has been strengthened in practice. This happened particularly after 1990 when there was a coalition government at the centre.
(d) Decentralisation of power : The governmental power has been decentralised to form the third tier of government in the form of Panchayati Raj and municipal government. 

Question : Highlight three major distinctions between the federations of 'coming together' type and 'holding together' type.
Answer :  Holding together federation :
(i) Large countries decide to divide its power between states and the centre.
(ii) Central government tends to be more powerful.
(iii) Federating units have unequal power.
(iv) India, Spain, Belgium are examples.
Coming together federation :
(i) Independent states coming together on their own to form a bigger unit.
(ii) All the states have equal power and are strong.
(iii) By pooling sovereignty and retaining identity, they increase their security.
(iv) U.S.A, Switzerland, Australia are examples. 

Question : Describe any three provisions of amendment made in Indian Constitution in 1992 for making three tier government more effective and powerful. 
Answer : The various provisions of the constitutional amendment of 1992, made the third tier of our democracy more powerful. Its provisions include –
(a) Now it is constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies.
(b) Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the executives of these institutions for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes.
(c) At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women.
(d) An independent institution called the State Election Commission has been created in each state to conduct panchayat and municipal elections.
(e) The State governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies. The nature of sharing varies from state to state.

Question : Describe any three steps taken to strengthen the local self-governments, by the Constitutional Amendment, 1992. 
Answer :  A major step towards decentralization and strengthening of the local self-government was taken in 1992. The Constitution was amended to make the third-tier of democracy more powerful and effective. The local governing bodies were given constitutional status.
(a) Now it is constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies.
(b) Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the executive heads of these institutions for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
(c) At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women.
(d) An independent institution called the State Election Commission has been created in each State to conduct panchayat and municipal elections.
(e) The State governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies. The nature of sharing varies from State to State. Rural local government is popularly known by the name panchayati raj. Members of a panchayat are directly elected by the all the adults who are living in the panchayat.
(f) The local government structure goes right up to the district level. A few gram panchayats are grouped together to form what is usually called a panchayat samiti or block or mandal. The members of this representative body are elected by all the panchyat members in that area.