Infographics: Federalism | Social Studies (SST) Class 10 PDF Download

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Understanding Federalism
Federalism is a system of government where power is divided between a central authority 
and various constituent units of the country. Think of it like a team where both the coach 
and team captains have specific roles - they work independently but toward the same goal.
Two Levels of 
Government
Central government 
handles national issues 
like defense and 
currency, while state 
governments manage 
local affairs like 
education and police.
Independent Powers
Both levels enjoy their 
power independent of 
each other, creating a 
balanced system of 
governance.
Limited Countries
Only 25 out of 192 world 
countries use federal 
systems, mostly large 
nations like India, USA, 
and Canada.
Federal vs Unitary Government
Federal System
Power shared between levels
Independent decision-making
Regional autonomy preserved
Examples: India, USA, Canada
Unitary System
Single level of government
Central authority dominates
Limited regional powers
Examples: UK, France, Japan
India's Federal Structure
India's Constitution divides legislative powers into three distinct lists, creating a clear 
framework for governance responsibilities.
1
Union List
National importance 
subjects like defense, 
foreign affairs, banking, 
communications, and 
currency. Only Union 
Government can make 
laws.
2
State List
State and local 
importance subjects like 
police, trade, commerce, 
agriculture, and 
irrigation. Only State 
Governments can 
legislate.
3
Concurrent List
Common interest 
subjects like education, 
forests, trade unions, 
marriage. Both levels can 
make laws, but Union 
law prevails in conflicts.
Special Features of Indian Federalism
1
Centre is More Powerful
Unlike typical federations, India's central government has greater authority, 
especially during emergencies.
2
Unequal State Powers
Not all states have identical powers - some have special status or different 
arrangements.
3
Single Citizenship
Unlike the USA, India has no dual citizenship - everyone votes as an Indian citizen.
4
Union Territories
Small areas like Delhi, Chandigarh, and Lakshadweep are directly governed by the 
Union government.
Language Policy and Linguistic States
India's language policy reflects its federal nature, recognizing diversity while maintaining 
unity. The Constitution recognizes 22 official languages, with Hindi serving as the official 
language spoken by 40% of the population.
22
Official Languages
Recognized by the 
Constitution
40%
Hindi Speakers
Population speaking 
Hindi
114
Major Languages
After grouping 1,500 
distinct languages
0.02%
English Native
Indians with English 
as mother tongue
Decentralization: The Three-Tier System
India adopted a three-tier government system to better serve its large population and 
diverse needs. This system brings government closer to the people.
1
Union Government
2 State Governments
3 Local Governments
The 73rd Amendment (1992) strengthened rural local bodies (Panchayati Raj), while the 74th 
Amendment empowered urban local governments (Nagar Palika). These came into force in 
1993, making local governance more effective.
Better Local 
Knowledge
Local people 
understand local 
problems and solutions 
better than distant 
administrators.
Citizen Participation
Common citizens can 
directly participate in 
decision-making about 
their needs and 
development.
Democracy Training
Local governments 
provide training ground 
for active democratic 
participation and 
leadership 
development.
Key Takeaway: Federalism in India balances unity and diversity by sharing power 
across three levels of government, ensuring both national integration and regional 
autonomy while bringing governance closer to the people.