CBSE Class 10 Social Science Federalism Important Questions Set A

Objective Type Questions

Question. Which form of power sharing is most commonly referred to as federalism ?
(a) Horizontal division of power.
(b) Vertical division of power.
(c) Division of power among various communities.
(d) Sharing of power among political parties.
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. Holding Together Federation stands for :
(a) The type of federation in which a large country decides to divide its power between the constituent states and the national government.
(b) The type of federation in which a small country decides to divide its power between the constituent states and the national government.
(c) The type of federation in which a large country decides to divide its power among the constituent states.
(d) The type of federation in which a small country decides to divide its power among the constituent states.
Answer: (a)

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. What do you call the act of taking power from State and Central government and giving it to local government ?
(a) Federal government
(b) Democracy
(c) Decentralisation
(d) None of the above
Answer: (c)

Question. Which subjects are included in the Concurrent list ?
(a) National importance.
(b) State importance.
(c) Both national and state importance.
(d) Importance of local government.
Answer: (c)

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

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. What is coalition government ?
(a) Government formed by one party.
(b) Government formed by alliance of many regional parties.
(c) Dictatorship.
(d) None of the above.
Answer: (b)

Question. Consider the following statements regarding language policy of Indian Federation. [CBSE OD, Set 1, 2020]
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)

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

Question. Municipalities function in big cities. (True/False)
Answer: False

Question. The exact balance of power between the central and the state governments varies from one federation to another. (True/False)
Answer: True

Question. The Gram Panchayat is generally elected for a term of two years. (True/False)
Answer: False

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

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

Question. Match the following :
Column A
1. Union of India
2. Central and State governments
3. Municipal Corporation
4. State
5. Gram Panchayat
Column B
(A) Mayor
(B) Concurrent List
(C) Prime Minister
(D) Sarpanch
(E) Governor
Answer: 1. (C), 2. (B), 3. (A), 4. (E), 5. (D)

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. Complete the following : Concurrent list includes subjects which are of common interest to ________
Answer: Both the central and the state governments.

Question. Complete the following : An ideal federal system has both aspects ________
Answer: Mutual trust and agreement to live together.

Question. Complete the following : Coalition government is the government formed by the coming together ______.
Answer: of at least two political parties.

Question. Complete the following : Arbitrary means using power without restriction and without ______ .
Answer: Considering other people

Question. Complete the following : Federation has two levels of government and both of them enjoy _____ .
Answer: Power independent of the other.

Question. Complete the following : Union List : Foreign affairs, State List : _________, Concurrent List : Marriage
Answer: Trade.

Question. Arrange the following in the correct sequences–
(i) The Parliament cannot on its own change this arrangement.
(ii) Then it has to be ratified by the legislatures of at least half of the total States.
(iii) Any change to it has to be first passed by both the Houses of the Parliament with at least two-thirds majority.
(iv) It is not easy to make changes to the power sharing arrangement.
(a) iv-i-iii-ii
(b) i-ii-iii-iv
(c) iv-iii-ii-i
(d) ii-iii-iv-i
Answer: (a)

Question. Complete the following table with correct information with regard to three-fold distribution of legislative powers in India :
One Example of subjects in Union List: Foreign affairs
One Example of subjects in State List: ?
One Example of subjects in Concurrent List: ?
Who has the power to legislate on residuary subjects?: Union Government
Answer: One Example of subjects in State List: Police; One Example of subjects in Concurrent List: Education

Question. Correct the following statement and rewrite : The central government has imposed Hindi in states where people speak a different language
Answer: The central government has not imposed Hindi on states where people speak a different language .

Question. Correct the following statement and rewrite. Federal power sharing in India needs another tier of government, above that of the local government.
Answer: Federal power sharing in India needs another tier of government, below that of the state government.

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question. Name some linguistic states.
Answer: Some linguistic states are Punjab, Kerala, West Bengal, Assam etc.

Question. Define Concurrent List.
Answer: Concurrent List includes subjects of common interest to both the Union Government as well as the State Government. For Example, education and forest.

Question. What is another popular name of rural local government in India ? 
Answer: Another popular name of rural local government in India is Panchayati Raj system.

Question. Discuss the dual objectives of federalism.
Answer: The dual objectives of federalism are safeguarding and promoting the unity of the country and accommodating regional diversity.

Question. How did Belgian government turn to a federal state from a unitary one ?
Answer: Belgium turned into a federal state from a unitary one by reducing the powers of the Central Government and shifted it to the regional governments.

Question. Name Three-Tiers of Indian Federalism.
Answer: The Three-Tier of Indian Federalism are—
(i) Union Government.
(ii) State Government.
(iii) Local Government.

Question. Give some examples of holding together federation.
Answer: Holding together federation is practised in countries like India, Belgium and Spain.

Question. 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. 
Answer: One feature in the practice of federalism in India that is similar to Belgium is ‘holding together federation’, where power is divided between the Central government and the constituent units. One feature of Indian federalism that is different from that of Belgium is that in India Centre has more power than the States while in Belgium states are more powerful than the central authority.

Question. What are the ways to bring about changes in the power sharing arrangements in India ?
Answer: Any change in the power sharing arrangement in India has to be first passed through both the houses of Parliament with atleast two-third majority. Then, it has to be approved by the governments of at least half of the total states.

Question. What happens in case of conflict in decision taken by the State and Central government ?
Answer: In case of any dispute between State and Central government, the decision taken by the Central government will be followed.

Question. What was the fear when states were divided on linguistic basis ?
Answer: The fear when states were divided on linguistic basis was that, it might lead to the disintegration of the country. However, in reality the formation of linguistic states further unite the country.

Question. What is the basic idea behind decentralisation ? OR Why do we need local government ?
Answer: The basic idea behind local government or need for decentralisation was that the local people know better about the problems of their areas. They also have better knowledge about where to get the resources for managing things efficiently.

Question. How does the local government help in bringing democracy to the grassroot level ?
Answer: The local government helps in bringing democracy at the grassroot level as people can directly participate in decision making. It also helps in inculcating the habit of democratic participation.

Question. What is a Gram Sabha ? Explain its working.
Answer: A Gram Sabha is the decision-making body for a village. The panchayat works under the supervision of the gram sabha. The people of the village are its voters. Its meeting has to be held twice or thrice a year for approval of annual budget of gram panchayat and for reviewing the performance of the gram panchayat.

Question. Discuss the role of courts in our Constitution.
Answer: Courts have the power to interpret the different tiers of the government and the constitution. In case of any dispute between the Centre and the States regarding exercise of power, it is settled by the highest court.

Question. What is the main difference between a federal form of government and a unitary one ? Explain with an example. 
Answer: Difference between Federal Form of Government and Unitary Form of Government:
Federal Form of Government: (i) There are two or more levels or tiers of the government. (ii) Power is divided between the centre and the constituent units. (iii) India has a federal system where power is divided between the central and states through Union List, State List and Concurrent List.
Unitary Form of Government: (i) There is only one level or tier of the government. (ii) There is only one central power. (iii) United Kingdom (UK) has only one sole governing power.

Question. Differentiate between ‘coming together’ federations and ‘holding together’ federation.
Answer: ‘Coming Together’ Federations: (i) Independent States come together to form a bigger unit. (ii) It helps in sharing sovereignty and retaining identity which further increase their security. (iii) Examples : Switzerland, the USA, and Australia.
‘Holding Together’ Federation: (i) A large country divides its power between the National government and the constituent States. (ii) The Central government is more powerful than the States. (iii) Example : Spain, India and Belgium.