Class 10 Civics – Chapter 2: Federalism

Class 10 Civics – Chapter 2: Federalism

Set – 1

Section A – MCQs (1×4=4)

The Constitution of India came into effect on:

a) 26 January 1950

b) 15 August 1947

c) 26 November 1949

d) 2 October 1952

The system of local government in rural areas is known as:

a) Nagar Nigam

b) Panchayati Raj

c) Zila Parishad

d) Municipality

Which of the following is in the State List?

a) Defence

b) Foreign affairs

c) Police

d) Railways

Which country has a unitary system of government?

a) India

b) USA

c) Belgium

d) Sri Lanka

Section B – Very Short (2×2=4)

Define federalism in simple words.

State two differences between a unitary and federal system.

Section C – Short (3 marks)

Write three advantages of decentralisation in India.

Section D – Long (5 marks)

Explain any five features of Indian federalism.

Section E – Case Study (4 marks)

Case: The 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992) made it mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies. It created a three-tier Panchayati Raj system at village, block, and district levels. One-third of all positions are reserved for women.

Questions:

a) In which year was the 73rd Amendment passed? (1)

b) Name the three levels of Panchayati Raj. (1)

c) Why is reservation for women in local bodies important? (2)

Set – 2

Section A – MCQs (4)

Which of these is an example of federal government?

a) India

b) France

c) Sri Lanka

d) China

Which of the following is in the Union List?

a) Agriculture

b) Education

c) Defence

d) Police

Which institution settles disputes between the Union and State governments in India?

a) Parliament

b) Election Commission

c) Supreme Court

d) President

The Constitution of India has how many levels of government?

a) Two

b) Three

c) Four

d) Five

Section B – Very Short (2×2=4)

Mention two features of the 73rd Amendment Act.

Define decentralisation.

Section C – Short (3 marks)

Differentiate between Union List and Concurrent List with examples.

Section D – Long (5 marks)

Why did the Constitution-makers of India choose a federal form of government? Explain with five points.

Section E – Case Study (4 marks)

Case: Belgium is a small European country which also follows a federal form of government. Powers are shared between the central and regional governments. Regional governments enjoy significant powers and are not dependent on the central authority.

Questions:

a) Which type of system is followed in Belgium? (1)

b) What are regional governments? (1)

c) How is Belgium’s federalism different from India’s federalism? (2)

Set – 3

Section A – MCQs (4)

Which of these is included in the Concurrent List?

a) Defence

b) Agriculture

c) Education

d) Banking

Which of the following is not a federal country?

a) USA

b) India

c) Canada

d) Sri Lanka

The Constitution of India divided powers into:

a) Two lists

b) Three lists

c) Four lists

d) Five lists

In India, the local government system in urban areas is called:

a) Panchayati Raj

b) Gram Sabha

c) Municipality

d) Zila Parishad

Section B – Very Short (2×2=4)

Name two countries other than India which follow a federal form of government.

Why is federalism important for a large and diverse country like India?

Section C – Short (3 marks)

Describe any three subjects included in the Union List.

Section D – Long (5 marks)

Explain the distribution of powers between Union and State governments in India.

Section E – Case Study (4 marks)

Case: India is a federal country with three levels of government – Union, State, and Local. The Constitution clearly distributes power through Union, State, and Concurrent lists. The Union Government controls subjects of national importance, while states govern matters of local importance.

Questions:

a) How many levels of government does India have? (1)

b) Which list contains matters of national importance? (1)

c) Why is such division of power necessary in India? (2)

Set – 4

Section A – MCQs (4)

Which of the following is a federal feature of the Indian Constitution?

a) Strong central government

b) Division of powers between Union and States

c) Dictatorship

d) Single government

The local government in villages is known as:

a) Municipal Corporation

b) Panchayati Raj

c) Zila Parishad

d) Nagar Palika

Which of the following subjects is in the State List?

a) Railways

b) Banking

c) Police

d) Defence

Who is considered the guardian of the Constitution of India?

a) President

b) Parliament

c) Supreme Court

d) Prime Minister

Section B – Very Short (2×2=4)

What is meant by "holding together" federation?

Mention two examples of countries with "coming together" federation.

Section C – Short (3 marks)

List three subjects included in the Concurrent List and explain briefly.

Section D – Long (5 marks)

Explain the features and significance of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments.

Section E – Case Study (4 marks)

Case: The Panchayati Raj system has empowered local people to take decisions about their villages. Gram Sabhas discuss plans for development, approve budgets, and monitor the work of Gram Panchayats.

Questions:

a) What is Gram Sabha? (1)

b) What is the role of Gram Panchayat? (1)

c) How does Panchayati Raj strengthen democracy? (2)

Set – 5

Section A – MCQs (4)

In a "coming together" federation, the constituent units:

a) Retain strong powers and form a bigger union

b) Have no power of their own

c) Are dependent on the central government

d) Do not share power

Which of the following is not a subject in the Union List?

a) Defence

b) Foreign affairs

c) Banking

d) Police

Which body conducts elections to the Panchayati Raj institutions?

a) State Election Commission

b) Central Government

c) Supreme Court

d) Union Election Commission

Which type of federalism is followed in India?

a) Coming together federation

b) Holding together federation

c) Confederation

d) Unitary system

Section B – Very Short (2×2=4)

Mention any two subjects in the State List.

Give one example each of horizontal and vertical division of power.

Section C – Short (3 marks)

Explain three reasons why decentralisation is necessary in India.

Section D – Long (5 marks)

Compare the "coming together" and "holding together" federations with suitable examples.

Section E – Case Study (4 marks)

Case: Education is a subject included in the Concurrent List. Both Union and State governments can make laws on it. Recently, many states demanded more autonomy in deciding their education policies. However, the Union Government introduced national-level policies applicable to all states.

Questions:

a) In which list is education included? (1)

b) Who can make laws on education? (1)

c) What happens in case of conflict between Union and State laws on education? (2)