About This Section
This is a collection of important questions with complete model answers covering the whole of Chapter 2 - Federalism. Use it to revise the key ideas: the meaning and features of federalism, federal versus unitary systems, the three Lists and residuary powers, linguistic States, language policy, Centre-State relations, and decentralisation.
Questions and Answers
Q1. What is federalism? State any two features. (3 marks)
Answer: Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and the constituent units of the country, with both levels enjoying power independent of each other. Two features are: (i) there are two or more tiers of government governing the same citizens, each with its own jurisdiction; and (ii) the jurisdictions are specified in the constitution, so each tier's existence and authority is constitutionally guaranteed and cannot be changed unilaterally.
Q2. What is the main difference between a federal form of government and a unitary one? Explain with an example. (3 marks)
Answer: In a unitary government there is either only one level of government or the sub-units are subordinate to the centre, which can pass orders to them - for example, Sri Lanka. In a federal government, power is divided between the centre and the constituent units; the central government cannot order the state government on the state's own subjects, and both are separately answerable to the people - for example, India. Thus the key difference is whether power is concentrated at one level or divided and guaranteed across levels.
Q3. Distinguish between 'coming together' and 'holding together' federations. (5 marks)
Answer: Coming together federations are formed when independent States join on their own to form a bigger unit, pooling sovereignty while keeping their identity to increase security; the States are usually equal and strong relative to the centre. Examples: USA, Switzerland, Australia. Holding together federations are formed when a large country divides its power among constituent units; the Centre is more powerful, units often have unequal powers, and some get special status. Examples: India, Spain, Belgium. India belongs to the second type.
Q4. Explain the three-fold distribution of legislative powers between the Union and the States. (5 marks)
Answer: The Constitution divides subjects into three lists. (i) Union List - subjects of national importance (defence, foreign affairs, banking, currency), on which only the Union legislates, so that policy is uniform across the country. (ii) State List - subjects of State and local importance (police, agriculture, trade, irrigation), on which only the States legislate. (iii) Concurrent List - subjects of common interest (education, forest, marriage, adoption), on which both legislate, but the Union law prevails if there is a conflict. Subjects in no list are residuary subjects, on which the Union legislates.
Q5. How has the language policy helped keep India united? (3 marks)
Answer: The Constitution made no language the national language. Hindi was made the official language with 21 other Scheduled Languages protected, and States kept their own official languages. When protests arose over dropping English in 1965, the Centre flexibly agreed to continue English alongside Hindi. Because leaders never imposed Hindi and accommodated other languages, India avoided the language conflict that troubled Sri Lanka, and diversity strengthened national unity.
Q6. State any two differences between the local government before and after the 1992 amendment. (3 marks)
Answer: (i) Before 1992, elections to local bodies were not held regularly; after 1992 it became constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections. (ii) Before 1992, local governments had no powers or resources of their own and were under State control; after 1992, seats were reserved for SC, ST, OBC and women (at least one-third), a State Election Commission was created, and States were required to share powers and revenue with local bodies.
Q7. Why is decentralisation necessary in India, and what is the three-tier structure of rural local government? (5 marks)
Answer: India is vast and diverse - some States are as large as European countries (Uttar Pradesh in population is bigger than Russia) - so a two-tier system is not enough. Decentralisation shares power within States with a third tier of local government, because local problems are best settled locally by people who understand them and can participate directly. Rural local government (panchayati raj) has three tiers: the Gram Panchayat (village, headed by sarpanch, supervised by the gram sabha), the Panchayat Samiti / block (group of gram panchayats), and the Zilla Parishad at the district level (headed by a chairperson).