CBSE Class 10 Civics Federalism Worksheet

Question. What is the rationale for decentralization of power?
Explain the structure of Rural local government in India.
Answer : The basic idea behind decentralisation: 
a. Large number of problems and issues are best settled at the local level because people have better knowledge of their local problems.
b. It helps in promoting direct participation. Structure of Rural Local Government:
1. Zilla Parishad: All the mandals in a district together constitute the Zilla Parishad. Most of the members are elected and headed by a chairperson.
2. Panchayat Samiti or Mandal or Block: The members of this body are elected by the entire Panchayat members in that area. A few Gram Panchayats are grouped together to form this
government body. 
3. Gram Panchayat: A council consisting of several ward members often called Panch. The president is called sarpanch. It is the decision-making body for the entire village.

Question. Why has federalism succeeded in India? Which were the policies adopted by India that ensured this success? Explain.
Answer : Federalism has succeeded in India due to the nature of democratic policies in our country. The policies adopted by India for smooth functioning of a federal structure: 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.
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.
Centre-State Relations: Restructuring the centre-state relations is one more way in which federalism has been strengthened in practice.
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.

Question. Explain any five features of Panchayati Raj system in India.
Answer : Rural local government is known as Panch ay ati Raj.
a. PRI is rural-based.
b. Each village has Gram Panchayat.
c. It has Panchs and a Sarpanch.
d. He/She is directly elected by the adult population living in the village.
e. Panchayat works under the Gram Sabha.
f. All the voters meet at least twice or thrice in a year.
g. Few gram panchayats form Panchayat Samiti or Block or Mandal.

Question. “Holding together federations” do not give equal power to its constituent units.’ Explain the statement with the help of examples in context to India.
Answer : a. All states in the Indian Union do not have identical powers. For example, Jammu and Kashmir enjoys a special status and has its own constitution.
b. Many provisions of the Indian Constitution do not apply here.
c. Indians who are not the permanent residents of Jammu and Kashmir cannot buy land or house there.
d. Smaller units called Union Territories do not have the powers of a state. The Central Government has special powers in running these areas.

Question. How is a federal government different from the unitary form of government? Why are federations preferred these days? 
Answer : Difference:
a. Unitary government has only one level of government whereas a federal government has two or more levels of government.
b. In unitary government, the sub-units are subordinate to the centre, whereas in a federation, central government j cannot encroach on the rights of state governments.
c. In unitary system, centre can order the sub-units which cannot happen in federation.
A federation is preferred because:
a. It helps in making administration effective and efficient.
b. It helps to accommodate all diverse groups.

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:
a. Constitutional status for local government has helped to deepen democracy.
b. It has increased women’s representation and voice in our democracy.
Difficulties:
a. Gram Sabhas are not held regularly.
b. Most state governments have not transferred significant powers to local government.
c. State governments do not provide adequate resources.

Question. What is a Gram Sabha? Describe any four functions of a Gram Sabha. 
Answer : Gram Sabha: A body comprising of all adult members of a village or a group of villages Functions of Gram Sabha are:
a. It elects the members of the Gram Panchayat.
b. The Gram Sabha supervises the work of the village panchayat.
c. It approves the annual budget of the panchayat.
d. It reviews the performance of the Gram Panchayat.

Question. Explain any five key features of federalism. 
                               or
Describe the main features of federalism. 
                              or
Enlist any five features of federalism.
                             or
Mention any five main features which makes India a federal country. 
Answer : Main Features of Federalism:
a. There are two or more levels of government. India has three levels.
b. Each level of government has its own jurisdiction in matters of legislation, taxation and administration even though they govern the same citizens.
c. Power and functions of each tier of government is specified and guaranteed by Constitution.
d. The Supreme Court has been given power to settle disputes between different levels of governments.
e. Fundamental provisions of the Constitution cannot be altered by any’one level of government. It applies to India also.
f. Sources of revenue between different levels is specified by the Constitution,
g. There is mutual trust and agreement between the government at different levels.

Question. Explain any five provisions of the Constitutional Amendment of 1992 that strengthened the third tier of government in India.
Answer : The Constitution was amended in 1992 to make the third tier of democracy more powerful and effective. 
a. Now it is 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 SC, ST and OBCs.
c. At least l/3rd of all positions and seats are reserved for women.
d. An independent institution called 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. What challenges did centre-state relations in India face before the 1990’s? Why is power sharing between centre and state more effective today?
                                 or
Describe the centre-state relations in Indian Federalism.
                                 or
How have the centre-state relations been restructured to strengthen federalism? 
Answer : Challenges before 1990:
a. Political scene was dominated by one party both at the Centre and in the States.
b. As and when the ruling party at the state level was different, the parties that ruled at the Centre tried to undermine the power of the States.
c. The Central Government would often misuse the constitution to dismiss the State Government that were controlled by rival parties.
After 1990:
a. Now the Centre and majority of State Governments belong to different political parties in coalition.
b. A number of regional parties have become powerful and play a crucial role at the Centre and States.
c. The era of “coalition” government at the Centre has inculcated respect for federal autonomy,

Question. Assess the need for local government.
Answer : Need for local government: There are a number of problems and issues that are best settled at the local level, because people have a better knowledge of the problems in their localities.
a. The local people are aware of their needs and can prioritize.
b. It helps to initiate the process of direct decision making.
c. It helps to inculcate the habit of democratic participation.
Local government is the best way to realize one important principle of democracy, namely local self government.

Question. Differentiate between ‘Coming together Federation’ and ‘Holding Together Federation’, with examples.
Answer : Difference between ‘Coming Together Federation’ and ‘Holding Together Federation’:
a. ‘Coming Together Federations’ are formed when independent states come together to form a bigger state and ‘Holding Together Federations’ are formed when a large country decides to divide itself into sub¬units.
b. In ‘Coming Together Federations’ the state governments are strong, whereas in ‘Holding Together Federations’, the central government is strong.
c. In ‘Coming Together Federations’, all states governments have equal powers but in ‘Holding Together Federations’, this may not be the case.
d. Examples of ‘Coming Together Federations’— U.S.A., Switzerland and Australia. Examples of‘Holding Together Federations’—India, Spain and Belgium.

Question. Why did the makers of our Constitution declare India to be a ‘Union of States’? Why were some sub-political units of India given a special status?
Answer : a. India became a Union of States because it consisted of both British-ruled territories as well as many princely states. Some sub-political units of India have a special status.
b. French and Portuguese-ruled territories were given the status of Union territory.
c. Jammu & Kashmir joined India on a special condition.
d. Some units were too small to become independent states. They were made Union Territories.
e. States in the north-east have been given a special status as they have a large tribal population with
a distinct history and culture.

Question. Explain any five advantages of decentralization of power. 
                                 or
Analyse the advantages of decentralization.
Answer : Advantages of Decentralisation:
a. Sharing of power between centre and states and local government reduces conflict.
b. Large number of problems and issues can be best settled at local level. People have better knowledge of problems in their localities.
c. People have better knowledge of their own problems.
d. They know better on where to spend money and how to manage things efficiently.
e. People at the local level can participate directly in decision making.

Question. How are the powers divided between the states and centre? Explain with examples.
                                                                           or
Describe the three-fold distribution of legislative powers between the Union Government and State Governments of India. 
                                 ​​​​​​​                                                                  ​​​​​​​or
Describe the three-fold distribution of legislative powers between the Union Government and the State Governments. Who can make laws on the subjects which are not covered under these lists and what name has been given to such subjects?
                                 ​​​​​​​                or
Describe the division of powers between the Central and the State Governments in India.
Answer : The 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 fist consists of 47 subjects. It includes subjects of common interest to both such as education, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption and succession.
Union Government can make laws on the subjects which are not covered under these lists. The name has been given to such subjects is residuary subjects.

Question. Explain five changes towards decentralisation brought in the Constitution after the Amendments made in 1992.
                                 ​​​​​​​                                 ​​​​​​​                                 or
What is the meaning of decentralisation? Explain any four provisions that have been made towards decentralisation in India after the Constitutional Amendment in 1992. 
Answer : Decentralisation: When power is taken from ‘Central and State Governments and is given to the local government, it is called decentralisation. The Constitution was amended in 1992 to make the third tier of democracy more powerful and effective. Provisions of the Constitutional Amendment of 1992 are:
a. Now it is 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 SCs, STs and OBCs.
c. At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women.
d. An independent institution called 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.