Important Questions (2 Marks): Federalism - Class 10 MCQ

In this type of federalism, the states have an individual identity and have majority of control over their governance. USA, Switzerland and Australia are countries which combined different states together to form a country and hence an example for 'Coming Together' federation.

The Constitution establishes a federal democratic republic form of government. That is, we have an indivisible union of 50 sovereign States.

The existence of the three-tier system in India is the key feature of the existence of federalism. The Central government, the State government, and the Local Self Governments, i.e. the Municipalities and Panchayats at the local level, makes the governance efficient.

Provisions of the Act of 1956 in Sri Lanka

- Provinces were given autonomy: This was a provision of the Act of 1956, where provinces in Sri Lanka were granted a level of self-governance and autonomy in certain matters.

- Buddhism was to be protected by the state: Another provision of the Act was the protection of Buddhism by the state, recognizing it as a special status religion in Sri Lanka.

- Sinhala was recognized as the only official language: The Act of 1956 also established Sinhala as the sole official language of Sri Lanka, which had implications for the country's linguistic and cultural landscape.

- Sinhala were favored in government jobs: This provision granted preferential treatment to the Sinhala community in terms of government employment opportunities, which aimed to address historical inequalities.

Therefore, the provision that was not included in the Act of 1956 in Sri Lanka was the granting of autonomy to provinces.

Explanation:
The correct statements are A and B. Here's why:
- Statement A: In a federation, the powers of the federal and provincial governments are clearly demarcated. This is a defining characteristic of a federation, where there is a division of powers between the central government and the state or provincial governments.
- Statement B: India is a federation because the powers of the Union and State Governments are specified in the Constitution, and they have exclusive jurisdiction on their respective subjects. This statement correctly identifies that India is a federation because its Constitution clearly defines the powers of the Union (central) government and the State governments, and they have exclusive jurisdiction on their respective subjects.
- Statement C: Sri Lanka is a federation because the country is divided into provinces. This statement is incorrect. The division of a country into provinces does not necessarily make it a federation. Sri Lanka has a unitary system of government, where power is concentrated in the central government and the provinces have limited autonomy.
- Statement D: India is no longer a federation because some powers of the States have been devolved to the local government bodies. This statement is incorrect. Devolution of powers to local government bodies does not change the federal nature of a country. India remains a federation as long as the powers of the Union and State governments are clearly defined in the Constitution.
Therefore, the correct statements are A and B.

India borrowed the idea of the federal system with a strong centre from Canada.

Indian states have been reorganized based on the State Reorganization Commission and 7th Amendment 1956.

The reorganization was done on a linguistic basis.

In a holding together federation, the central government has more power than state governments.

As per Article 344(1) and 351 of the Indian Constitution, Eighth Schedule recognizes 22 languages.

India is a fine example of Holding together a federation.

Holding together a federation is nothing but the division of powers between the states of the country and the central government of that country.

The federal system thus has dual objectives: to safeguard and promote the unity of the country, while at the same time accommodate regional diversity.

Schedule 7 of the Indian Constitution categorizes the legislative powers into Union List, State List and Concurrent List representing the powers conferred upon the Union, states and shared powers, respectively. The subjects not mentioned in any of the three lists are residuary powers. Parliament shall legislate upon the subjects in the residuary list.