Important Questions for Chapter 2 Federalism Class 10 Political Science
Important Questions1
Which type of government has two or more levels?
Answer
Federal Government.
VSAQ
2
The subject of Computer Software comes under which list?
Answer
Residuary List.
VSAQ
3
Give an example of a country which is an example of coming together federation.
Answer
The USA is an example of coming together federation.
VSAQ
4
Which subjects falls under the concurrent list?
Answer
Marriage, education, forest, trade unions, adoption and succession.
VSAQ
5
Which subjects are included in the State list?
Answer
Agriculture, police, public health, land.
VSAQ
6
Which groups of countries are an example of holding together federation?
Answer
India, Spain and Belgium.
VSAQ
7
In case of any dispute about the division of powers who can make a decision?
Answer
The High Court and the Supreme Court can make a decision.
VSAQ
8
What are the basic objectives of a federal system?
Answer
To safeguard and promote unity of the country and to accommodate regional diversity.
VSAQ
9
Whose laws prevail if there is conflict between the State Government and Central Government on the subjects of the Concurrent List?
Answer
The laws made by the Union Government.
VSAQ
10
Which level of Government in India has the power to legislate on the 'residuary' subjects?
Answer
The Union Government has the power to legislate on the residuary subjects.
VSAQ
11
Which state which enjoys special status in Indian Territory?
Answer
Jammu and Kashmir.
VSAQ
12
What is another name of third tier of government?
Answer
Local self-government.
VSAQ
13
In which Schedule of the Indian Constitution are the 22 scheduled languages included?
Answer
Eighth schedule.
VSAQ
14
In which list do education, forest and marriages fall?
Answer
Concurrent List.
VSAQ
15
On which two basis new states of India have been created?
Answer
Language and region.
VSAQ
16
Which period saw the rise of regional political parties in many states of the country?
Answer
Period after 1990.
VSAQ
17
Where did India conduct its nuclear tests?
Answer
India conducted its nuclear tests at Pokhran, Rajasthan.
VSAQ
18
When was the report of the States Reorganisation Commission implemented?
Answer
1956.
VSAQ
19
Which body conducts the elections to panchayats and municipalities?
Answer
State Election Commission.
VSAQ
20
As per language policy of Indian Government, what is the status of Hindi language?
Answer
Hindi is the official language.
VSAQ
21
Mention the basic idea behind the power sharing of Indian federalism.
Answer
Decentralisation of power.
VSAQ
22
When major step towards decentralisation of powers was taken?
Answer
In 1992.
VSAQ
23
Who is the head of a Municipal Corporation?
Answer
Mayor.
VSAQ
24
How much seats are reserved for women in local self-government institutions?
Answer
One-third.
VSAQ
25
Who presides over the meetings of a Municipal Corporation?
Answer
Mayor.
VSAQ
26
What is the name given to the collection of panchayat samitis or mandals in a district?
Answer
Zilla Parishad.
VSAQ
27
Who administers the whole district?
Answer
District Magistrate or Collector.
VSAQ
1
“India has a large cultural, regional and religious diversity but there is unity among people”. What factors are responsible for this? Elaborate.
Answer
Factors which are responsible for this are-
• Right to equality.
• No discrimination on the basis of caste, creed region or religion.
• SCs & STs have some seats reserved and do get representation.
• Right to freedom of religion and cultural and educational rights.
SAQ
2
Explain the factors that make federal government in India so attractive.
Answer
• Mobilization.
• Administrative knowledge of the people at all the levels.
• Efficacy to solve all kinds of issues at respective levels.
SAQ
3
Highlight any three steps taken by India towards making it a federation.
Answer
• Reorganization of states on linguistic basis.
• Centre state relations.
• Decentralisation or any other relevant point.
SAQ
4
What is the special status the state of Jammu and Kashmir enjoys?
Answer
Jammu and Kashmir enjoys a special status. It has its own Constitution. Many provisions of the Indian Constitution are not applicable to this State without the approval of the State Assembly. Indians who are not permanent residents of this State cannot buy land or house here.
SAQ
5
Highlight three major distinctions between the federations of ‘coming together’ type and ‘holding together’ type.
Answer
Holding Together Federation:
• Large country decides to divide its power between states and the centre.
• Federating units have unequal power. Central government tends to be more powerful.
• Examples: India, Spain, Belgium.
Coming Together Federation:
• Independent states coming together on their own to form a bigger unit. All the states have equal power and are strong.
• By pooling sovereignty and retaining identify, they increase their security.
SAQ
6
Describe the three-fold distribution of legislative power between the Union Government and State Governments of India.
Answer
The three-fold distribution of legislative powers:
(i) Union list: Union lists consist of 97 subjects. It includes subjects of national importance such as defence of the country, foreign affairs, banking, communication and currency.
(ii) State list: State list consists of 66 subjects. It contains subjects of state and local importance such as police, trade, commerce, agriculture and irrigation.
(iii) Concurrent list: Concurrent list consist of 47 subjects It includes subjects of common interest to both such as education, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption and succession.
SAQ
7
Describe the three-tier system of Indian federation.
Answer
The three-tier system of India federation:
• Central government: This is a government for entire country.
• State government: It governs each state and deals with the affairs of state included in the state list.
Panchayati Raj: Rural or local government is known as Panchayati raj.
SAQ
8
What happened to the centre state relations when different parties ruled at the centre and state levels till 1990?
Answer
When different parties ruled at the centre and state levels the parties at the centre tried to undermine the power of states. The central government misused the constitution often to dismiss the state governments that were controlled by other parties. This is against the spirit of federalism.
SAQ
9
Differentiate between Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat.
Answer
Gram Panchayat is a council consisting of several ward members often called panch and a president or Sarpanch. It is the decision making body for the village.
The Panchayat works under the overall supervision of the gram sabha. All the voters in the village are its members.
SAQ
10
How has the Panchayati Raj strengthened the democracy in India? Express your views.
Answer
Panchayati Raj is the best example of decentralization of power.
• It aims at decentralisation of power to the grass root levels.
• People can get their most of the problems solved at the local level.
• Local people make their progress plan of their locality and also have right to execute the plans.
SAQ
11
Why is it very difficult to make changes in the power-sharing arrangement between the Union Government and State Governments? Explain with examples.
Answer
• The Parliament alone cannot make the changes.
• Any proposal has to be first approved by both houses of the Parliament, the Rajya Sabha and the Lok Sabha.
• Any decision has to be approved by at least two-thirds of the majority. Then the proposed change has to be approved by the legislatures of at least half of the total states.
SAQ
12
Describe the significance of decentralisation.
Answer
Significance of Decentralisation:
• It helps in the settlement of a large number of problems and issues at the local level.
• It provides a platform for the direct participation of people in decision-making.
• Decentralization in the form of ‘local self-government’ is the best way to realize principles of Democracy.
SAQ
1
Explain five changes towards decentralization brought in the Constitution after the Amendments made in 1992.
Answer
• Decentralization: When power is taken from central and state governments and is given to local government, it is called decentralization. The Constitution was amended in 1992 to make the third tier of democracy more powerful and effective.
• Provisions of the Constitutional Amendment of 1992 are:
• Now it is mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies.
• Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the executive heads of these institutions for SCs, STs and OBCs.
• At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women.
• An independent institution called State Election Commission has been created in each state to conduct panchayat and municipal elections.
• The state governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies.
LAQ
2
Is it right to say that India is federal country but the word federalism is not used anywhere in the constitution? Explain.
Answer
• India had emerged as an independent nation after a painful and bloody partition.
• Soon after independence several princely states become a part of the country.
• The constitution declared India as a Union of States.
• Although it did not use the word federation, the Indian Union is based on the principles of federalism.
• India is fulfilling all the requirements which are required for a federal country.
LAQ
3
What is the rationale for decentralization of power? Explain the structure of Rural local government in India.
Answer
The basic idea behind decentralization:
• Large number of problems and issues are best settled at the local level because people have better knowledge of their local problems.
• It helps in promoting direct participation.
Structure of Rural Local Government:
• Zila Parishad: All the mandals in a district together constitute the Zila Parishad. Most of the members are elected and headed by a chairperson.
• Panchayat Samiti or Mandal or Block: The members of this body are elected by the entire panchayat members in that area. A few Gram Panchayats are grouped together to form this government body.
• Gram Panchayat: A council consisting of several ward members often called Panch. The president is called sarpanch. It is the decision-making body for the entire village.
LAQ
4
Explain any five features of Panchayati Raj system in India.
Answer
Rural local government is known as Panchayati Raj.
• Panchayti raj system is rural-based.
• Each village has Gram Panchayat.
• It has Panchs and a Sarpanch.
• He or She is directly elected by the adult population living in the village.
• Panchayat works under the Gram Sabha.
• All the voters meet at least twice or thrice in a year.
• Few gram panchayats form Panchayat Samiti or Block or Mandal.
LAQ
5
Why has federalism succeeded in India? Which were the policies adopted by India that ensured this success? Explain.
Answer
Federalism has succeeded in India due to the nature of democratic policies in our country. The policies adopted by India to ensure this success:
• Linguistic States: After independence, the boundaries of several old states were changed in order to create new states. The creation of linguistic states was the first and a major test for democratic politics in our country.
• Language Policy: The second test for the Indian federation is the language policy. The Indian constitution did not give the status of national language to any one of the language.
• Centre-State Relations: Restructuring the centre-state relations is one more way in which federalism has been strengthened in practice.
• Decentralisation of Power: Power in India has been decentralised to the local government. The local government includes Panchayats in villages and municipalities in urban areas.
LAQ
6
“Local government’s have made a significant impact on Indian democracy. At the same time there are many difficulties”. Explain.
Answer
Impact of local self government on Indian democracy:
• Constitutional status for local government has helped to deepen democracy.
• It has increased women’s representation and voice in our democracy.
Difficulties:
• Gram Sabhas are not held regularly.
• Most state governments have not transferred significant powers to local government.
• State governments do not provide adequate resources.
LAQ
7
Explain any five advantages of decentralization of power.
Answer
Advantages of Decentralization:
• Sharing of power between centre and states and local government reduces conflict.
• Large number of problems and issues can be best settled at local level. People have better knowledge of problems in their localities.
• People have better knowledge of their own problems.
• They know better on where to spend money and how to manage things efficiently.
• People at the local level will participate directly in decision making.
LAQ
8
What is a Gram Sabha? Describe any four functions of a Gram Sabha. Ans. Gram Sabha is a body comprising of all adult members of a village or a group of villages.
Answer
Functions of Gram Sabha:
• It elects the members of the Gram Panchayat.
• The Gram Sabha supervises the work of the village panchayat.
• It approves the annual budget of the panchayat.
• It reviews the performance of the Gram Panchayat.
LAQ
1
What are the causes responsible for very slow progress of Panchayat Raj System in India?
Answer
• Lack of awareness: Some people treat it just as an administrative agency, some as an intention of democracy at grass root level and some treat it as a charter of rural, local government. There for lack of awareness and conceptual clarity is one of the reason of slow success of Panchayat Raj.
• Irregular election: Election should hold after a gap of five years, but still irregularity is there to hold the elections.
• Relationship of government officials and elected representatives: All work of the Panchayat Raj System is being done by the government officials, but contradiction always comes in between government officials and elected representatives and then it progresses very slowly.
• Lack of money and other support: The Panchayat Raj institutions lack enough money, administrative support and help from the government officials. That’s why its success rate is very slow.
HOTS
1
What qualities or values are inculcated in the people through local government?
Answer
Values inculcated through local government:
• People become responsible when they are entrusted with responsibilities, so it helps them to initiate the process of direct decision-making.
• They learn the importance of the power of one — which teaches that each one can make a difference to the way in which they are governed, in the current political scenario.
• They will realize the importance of their vote and will ensure that they vote at the time of elections, thus ensuring the habit of democratic participation.
VBQ