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NCERT Class 10 Social Science Federalism: Exercise Solutions

Point-by-point answers for 10 of the 12 questions of End-of-chapter exercises in NCERT's Class 10 Social Science book, chapter “Federalism”, written by Shishya. Each question is in our own short words; open the NCERT chapter for the exact wording and figures.

1. Exercises Q3

   Point out one feature of federalism in practice in India that is similar to Belgium's, and one that is different.

   1. Both India and Belgium have a central government and regional or state governments that share power.
   2. In Belgium, regional governments originally had powers that could be withdrawn by the central government.
   3. In India, the Constitution grants independent powers to state governments that cannot be taken away by the central government.

   Answer: Similar: like Belgium today, India divides power between a central government and state (regional) governments. Different: Indian states' powers come from the Constitution and cannot be withdrawn by the centre, while Belgium's regional governments had powers the centre could withdraw before 1993.

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2. Exercises Q4

   What is the main difference between a federal and a unitary form of government? Explain with an example.

   1. In a unitary system, there is only one level of government where sub-units are subordinate to the central authority.
   2. The central government in a unitary system can pass orders directly to local governments.
   3. In a federal system, the central government cannot order the state government to do anything.
   4. State governments in a federation have their own powers and are not answerable to the central government.
   5. Both levels of government in a federal system are separately answerable to the people.
   6. India is an example of a federal system where state governments have distinct powers from the central government.

   Answer: The main difference is that in a unitary system, sub-units are subordinate to the central government, whereas in a federal system, state governments have independent powers and are not answerable to the central government.

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3. Exercises Q5

   State any two differences between local government before and after the Constitutional amendment of 1992.

   1. Before 1992, local governments existed but were directly under state governments; elections were not held regularly, and they had no powers or resources of their own.
   2. After the 1992 amendment, it became constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies.
   3. Seats are now reserved in the elected bodies and executive heads for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes, and at least one-third of all positions for women.
   4. A State Election Commission was created in each state to hold panchayat and municipal elections, and state governments must share some powers and revenue with local bodies.

   Answer: After 1992, local body elections became regular and mandatory, and at least one-third of seats were reserved for women (with reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes); earlier there were no regular elections and few powers or resources.

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4. Exercises Q6

   Fill in the blanks: since the United States is a ___ type of federation, all its states have equal powers and are ___ with respect to the federal government; India is a ___ type of federation and some states have more power than others; in India the ___ government has more powers.

   1. Independent states forming a larger unit creates a coming together federation where states hold equal power.
   2. In this first type of federation, the constituent states remain strong relative to the federal government.
   3. India represents a holding together federation where a large country divides power between national and state levels.
   4. Within holding together federations, the central government typically holds more power than the constituent states.

   Answer: coming together, strong, holding together, central

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5. Exercises Q7

   Three reactions to India's language policy: Sangeeta — accommodation has strengthened national unity; Arman — language-based states have divided us by making everyone conscious of their language; Harish — the policy has only consolidated the dominance of English. Give an argument and an example for any one position.

   1. Support Sangeeta's view that accommodation strengthened unity by noting that linguistic states prevented disintegration.
   2. Explain that unlike Sri Lanka, India avoided conflict by respecting diversity and allowing people to live together.
   3. In 1965, when Hindi was to replace English for official use, there were protests in Tamil Nadu; the central government agreed to continue using English along with Hindi, and this flexibility avoided conflict.

   Answer: Sangeeta's position is correct because accommodating linguistic demands through state creation and language safeguards prevented national disintegration and fostered unity, unlike the situation in Sri Lanka.

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6. Exercises Q8

   MCQ: the distinguishing feature of a federal government is (a) the national government gives some powers to provincial governments (b) power is distributed among the legislature, executive and judiciary (c) elected officials exercise supreme power (d) governmental power is divided between different levels of government

   1. A federal system is defined by having two or more distinct levels of government that share power.
   2. The core feature is that governmental authority is split between these different tiers, such as the central and state governments.
   3. This division ensures that no single level of government holds absolute control over all matters.

   Answer: (d) Governmental power is divided between different levels of government

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7. Exercises Q9

   Group these subjects under the Union, State and Concurrent Lists: A defence, B police, C agriculture, D education, E banking, F forests, G communications, H trade, I marriages.

   1. Defence, banking, and communications are subjects of national importance, so they belong to the Union List.
   2. Police, agriculture, and trade are matters of state and local importance, placing them in the State List.
   3. Education, forests, and marriages are subjects of common interest to both levels, so they are in the Concurrent List.

   Answer: Union: A, E, G; State: B, C, H; Concurrent: D, F, I

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8. Exercises Q10

   Which pair of a level of government and its law-making subjects is NOT correctly matched? (a) state government — State List (b) central government — Union List (c) central and state governments — Concurrent List (d) local governments — residuary powers

   1. The Union Government has the power to legislate on residuary subjects that do not fall in any of the three lists.
   2. Local governments are not assigned residuary powers; instead, the central government holds this authority for subjects outside the lists.

   Answer: (d) local governments — residuary powers

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9. Exercises Q11

   Match 1 Union of India, 2 State, 3 Municipal Corporation, 4 Gram Panchayat with A Prime Minister, B Sarpanch, C Governor, D Mayor. Codes for 1-2-3-4: (a) D A B C (b) B C D A (c) A C D B (d) C D A B

   1. The Union of India is the central government, and its head is the Prime Minister.
   2. A State government is headed by the Governor, who acts as the constitutional head.
   3. A Municipal Corporation is a local body for urban areas, and it is led by a Mayor.
   4. A Gram Panchayat is the local self-government in rural areas, and its head is the Sarpanch.

   Answer: (c) A C D B

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10. Exercises Q12

    Which statements are correct? A: in a federation the powers of the federal and provincial governments are clearly demarcated. B: India is a federation because the Constitution specifies the powers of the Union and State governments and each has exclusive jurisdiction on its subjects. C: Sri Lanka is a federation because it is divided into provinces. D: India is no longer a federation because some state powers have been devolved to local bodies. Options: (a) A, B and C (b) A, C and D (c) A and B only (d) B and C only

    1. Statement A is correct because the chapter explains that in a federation, the powers of different tiers of government are clearly demarcated.
    2. Statement B is correct as the Indian Constitution specifies the powers of the Union and State Governments through three lists, giving them exclusive jurisdiction on their subjects.
    3. Statement C is incorrect because Sri Lanka is not a federation; it is a unitary state where the central government holds supreme power, even though it has provinces.
    4. Statement D is incorrect because the devolution of powers to local bodies does not change India's status as a federation; the core power sharing between Union and States remains intact.

    Answer: (c) A and B only

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