Unit Test (Solutions): Federalism | Social Studies (SST) Class 10 PDF Download

Time: 1 Hour          

M.M.: 30
Instructions: Attempt all questions.

• Question numbers 1 to 5 carry 1 mark each.
  
• Question numbers 6 to 8 carry 2 marks each.
  
• Question numbers 9 to 11 carry 3 marks each.
  
• Question numbers 12 & 13 carry 5 marks each.
  
  

Q1. What is federalism? (1 Mark)
Ans: Federalism is a system of government where power is shared between a central authority and regional governments. 

• There are two or more levels of government. Each level governs the same citizens but has its own jurisdiction over specific matters.
• The constitution defines the powers of each level, ensuring their existence and authority.
• Changes to fundamental constitutional provisions require agreement from both levels of government.

Q2. Which country shifted from a unitary to a federal system in 1993? (1 Mark)

(a) India
(b) Sri Lanka
(c) Belgium
(d) USA

Ans: (c) Belgium

Belgium transitioned from a unitary to a federal system in 1993, granting constitutional powers to regional governments, unlike Sri Lanka, which remains unitary.

Q3. Which of the following is a feature of a federal system? (1 Mark)

(a) One-level of government
(b) Constitutionally protected division of powers
(c) Regional governments controlled by the central government
(d) Unwritten constitution

Ans: (b) Constitutionally protected division of powers

A federal system is characterized by a constitutionally protected division of powers between different levels of government, unlike a unitary system.

Q4. Name the three levels of government in India. (1 Mark)
Ans: The three levels of government in India are:

• Union Government: This is the central government responsible for national matters.
• State Governments: These govern individual states and handle regional issues.
• Local Governments: This includes Panchayats and Municipalities that manage local affairs.

Q5. What is the Union List? (1 Mark)
Ans: The Union List is a category in the Indian Constitution that outlines subjects of national importance. It includes areas such as:

• Defence of the country
• Foreign affairs
• Banking
• Communications
• Currency

Only the Union Government has the authority to make laws regarding these subjects, ensuring a uniform policy across the nation.

Q6. Differentiate between ‘coming together’ and ‘holding together’ federations with examples. (2 Marks)
Ans: Coming together and holding together federations differ in their formation and power distribution:

• Coming together federations: USA, Switzerland, and Australia.
• Holding together federations: India, Spain, and Belgium.
  

Q7. Mention two key features of the 1992 Constitutional Amendment related to local self-government in India. (2 Marks)
Ans: Key features of the 1992 Constitutional Amendment related to local self-government in India:

• Regular Elections: The amendment mandates that elections to local government bodies must be held regularly, ensuring democratic representation.
• Reservation of Seats: Seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes, along with at least one-third of positions reserved for women.

Q8. What is the Concurrent List? How are conflicts resolved when both the Centre and States make laws on the same subject? (2 Marks)
Ans: The Concurrent List is a category in the Indian Constitution that includes subjects of common interest to both the Union and State Governments. Examples of these subjects are: Education, Forest, Trade unions, Marriage, adoption, and succession.

Both levels of government can legislate on these subjects. However, if there is a conflict between the laws made by the Union and the State Governments, the law enacted by the Union Government takes precedence. For subjects not listed in any of the three lists, the Union Government has the authority to legislate on these residuary subjects. Additionally, some states in India, such as Assam and Nagaland, have special provisions under the Constitution that grant them unique powers due to their specific social and historical contexts.

Q9. Explain any three key features of federalism. (3 Marks)
Ans: Key Features of Federalism

• Multiple Levels of Government: Federalism consists of two or more levels of government that share authority over the same citizens.
• Distinct Jurisdictions: Each level of government has its own specific areas of responsibility, such as legislation, taxation, and administration.
• Constitutional Authority: The powers and responsibilities of each government level are defined in the constitution, ensuring their existence and authority are legally protected.

Q10. How is linguistic diversity managed in India’s language policy? (3 Marks)
Ans: The management of linguistic diversity in India is a significant aspect of its language policy. Here are the key points:

• The Constitution does not declare any language as the national language, but Hindi is designated as the official language.
• About 40% of the population speaks Hindi as their mother tongue, which necessitated protections for other languages.
• There are 22 Scheduled Languages recognised by the Constitution, allowing individuals to take government exams in these languages.
• States can have their own official languages, facilitating local governance and administration.
• The use of English was initially set to cease in 1965, but continued due to demands from non-Hindi speaking states.
• This flexible approach has helped maintain national unity while respecting linguistic differences.

Q11. How did the rise of regional political parties strengthen federalism in India after 1990? (3 Marks)
Ans: The rise of regional political parties after 1990 significantly strengthened federalism in India through several key developments:

• The emergence of regional parties led to a more balanced power dynamic between the Centre and the States.
• Coalition governments became common, as no single party could secure a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, necessitating alliances with regional parties.
• This shift fostered a culture of power sharing and respect for the autonomy of State Governments.
• A landmark Supreme Court judgement made it harder for the Central Government to dismiss State Governments arbitrarily, reinforcing the federal structure.
• The increased representation of regional parties ensured that diverse regional interests were acknowledged and addressed in national politics.

Overall, these changes contributed to a more robust and effective practice of federalism in India.

Q12. How is power shared among different levels of government in India? Explain the role of Union, State, and Local governments with examples. (5 Marks)
Ans: The power in India is shared among three levels of government: Union, State, and Local governments. Each level has distinct roles and responsibilities:

• Union Government:
  • defence, foreign affairs, and currency.
  • Can make laws on subjects listed in the Union List, which includes matters of national importance.
• State Governments:
  • Handle local matters like police, education, and agriculture.
  • Have the authority to legislate on subjects in the State List.
• Local Governments:
  • Focus on community issues such as sanitation, local roads, and public health.
  • Formed through decentralisation to empower local decision-making.

This three-tier system ensures that governance is effective and responsive to the diverse needs of India's population.

Q13. What are the main provisions and impacts of decentralization as introduced by the 1992 Amendment? Explain the structure and functions of rural and urban local governments. (5 Marks)
Ans: The 1992 Amendment to the Constitution marked a significant shift towards decentralisation in India. Here are the main provisions and impacts:

• Regular Elections: It is now mandatory to hold regular elections for local government bodies.
• Reserved Seats: Seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes in elected bodies.
• Women’s Representation: At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women.
• State Election Commission: Each state has an independent body to oversee panchayat and municipal elections.
• Power Sharing: State governments must share certain powers and revenues with local government bodies, although this varies by state.

The structure and functions of local governments are divided into rural and urban categories:

• Rural Local Government: Known as panchayati raj, it consists of gram panchayats, which are councils elected by villagers. Each gram panchayat is supervised by a gram sabha, comprising all voters in the village.
• Urban Local Government: Comprises municipalities and municipal corporations that manage urban areas. They are responsible for local administration, infrastructure, and public services.

Decentralisation enhances local governance by allowing communities to address their unique issues effectively, fostering a culture of democratic participation.