About This Section

This section collects previous-year Board examination questions (CBSE and State Boards) from Chapter 2 - Federalism - with model answers. These show how the chapter is actually tested and help you practise writing exam-ready answers.

Board Previous Year Questions

Q1. 'The distinguishing feature of a federal government is that governmental power is divided between different levels of government.' Explain any three features of federalism. (3 marks)

Answer: Three features are: (i) there are two or more tiers of government, governing the same citizens but each with its own jurisdiction in legislation, taxation and administration; (ii) these jurisdictions are specified in the constitution, so the authority of each tier is constitutionally guaranteed and cannot be changed unilaterally; and (iii) the courts interpret the constitution, with the highest court acting as umpire in disputes between levels. Each level also has clearly specified revenue sources for financial autonomy.

Q2. Group the following subjects under the Union, State and Concurrent Lists: Defence, Police, Agriculture, Education, Banking, Forests, Communications, Trade, Marriages. (5 marks)

Answer:

  • Union List: Defence, Banking, Communications (subjects of national importance; only the Union legislates).
  • State List: Police, Agriculture, Trade (subjects of State and local importance; only the States legislate).
  • Concurrent List: Education, Forests, Marriages (subjects of common interest; both legislate, and the Union law prevails if there is a conflict).

Q3. 'Language policy in India is a major reason for the success of federalism.' Justify the statement with three points. (5 marks)

Answer: (i) No national language: the Constitution gave no language the status of national language, avoiding resentment among speakers of other languages. (ii) Protection of many languages: Hindi is the official language (mother tongue of only about 40-44 per cent), but 21 other Scheduled Languages are protected and States have their own official languages. (iii) Flexibility on English: when its removal in 1965 was opposed - violently in Tamil Nadu - the Centre continued English along with Hindi. Because Hindi was promoted, not imposed, India avoided the conflict seen in Sri Lanka, strengthening its federalism.

Q4. Describe any five provisions added by the 1992 amendment that made the third tier of government powerful. (5 marks)

Answer: (i) It became constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies. (ii) Seats were reserved in the elected bodies and their executive heads for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes. (iii) At least one-third of all positions were reserved for women. (iv) An independent State Election Commission was created in each State to conduct panchayat and municipal elections. (v) State Governments were required to share some powers and revenue with local bodies, with the sharing reviewed by a State Finance Commission.

Q5. 'Fill in the blanks: Since the United States is a _ type of federation, all the constituent States have equal powers and are strong vis-a-vis the federal government. But India is a type of federation and the __ government has more powers.' Complete and explain. (3 marks)

Answer: The blanks are: coming together; holding together; and Union (Central). The USA is a coming together federation, so its States are equal and strong relative to the centre. India is a holding together federation, formed by a large country dividing its power; hence the Union (Central) Government has more powers, and some States even enjoy a special status.