Class 10 Civics Chapter 2 Question and Answers

Federalism

1. Locate the following States on a blank outline political map of India:

Manipur, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh and Goa.

Answer:

• Manipur – North-East India – Manipur
• Sikkim – Between Nepal and Bhutan (North-East) – Green
• Chhattisgarh – Central India (carved out of Madhya Pradesh) – Chhattisgarh
• Goa – Western coast of India, near Maharashtra and Karnataka – Goa

2. Identify and shade three federal countries (other than India) on a blank outline political map of the world.

Answer:

1. South Africa
2. Pakistan
3. Australia

3. Point out one feature in the practice of federalism in India that is similar to and one feature that is different from that of Belgium.

Answer:

• Similar feature: Both countries share power between central and regional governments.
• Different feature: In Belgium, regional governments have constitutional powers independent of the central government (since 1993). In India, the Union government is stronger, and states do not have equal powers.

Q4. What is the main difference between a federal form of government and a unitary one? Explain with an example.

Answer:

• Federal government: Power is divided between central and state governments. Example: India, USA.
• Unitary government: Central government holds all power, and states/provinces depend on it. Example: Sri Lanka.

Q5. State any two differences between the local government before and after the Constitutional amendment in 1992.

Answer:

• Before 1992:
  • Local governments were under state control.
  • Elections were not held regularly; they lacked real powers or resources.
• After 1992:
  • Regular elections are constitutionally mandatory.
  • Powers, resources, and reservation for weaker sections and women were ensured.

6. Fill in the blanks:

Since the United States is a ___________ type of federation, all the constituent States have equal powers and States are __________ vis-à-vis the federal government. But India is a
____________ type of federation and some States have more power than others. In India, the __________ government has more powers.

Answer: coming togethe, strong, holding together, central

7. Here are three reactions to the language policy followed in India. Give an argument and an example to support any of these positions.

Sangeeta: The policy of accommodation has strengthened national unity.
Arman: Language-based States have divided us by making everyone conscious of their language.
Harish: This policy has only helped to consolidate the dominance of English over all other languages.

Answer:

• Sangeeta’s view (support): Policy of accommodation has strengthened unity, e.g., creation of linguistic states like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra made administration easier and avoided conflict.
• Arman’s view (support): Language-based states made people more conscious of their language, e.g., strong regional identity in Tamil Nadu.
• Harish’s view (support): Use of English continues in administration and education; many critics believe this benefits English-speaking elite.

8. The distinguishing feature of a federal government is:

(a) National government gives some powers to the provincial governments.
(b) Power is distributed among the legislature, executive and judiciary.
(c) Elected officials exercise supreme power in the government.
(d) Governmental power is divided between different levels of government.

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

9. A few subjects in various Lists of the Indian Constitution are given here. Group them under the Union, State and Concurrent Lists as provided in the table below.

A. Defence; B. Police; C. Agriculture; D. Education;
E. Banking; F. Forests; G. Communications; H. Trade; I. Marriages

Answer:

10. Examine the following pairs that give the level of government in India and the powers of the government at that level to make laws on the subjects mentioned against each. Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched?

Answer:

(d) Local governments – Residuary powers is NOT correctly matched.
(Residuary subjects actually belong to the Union Government, not local governments.)

11. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:

Answer:

Correct option = (c) 1–A, 2–C, 3–D, 4–B

12. Consider the following two statements.

A. In a federation, the powers of the federal and provincial governments are clearly demarcated.
B. India is a federation because the powers of the Union and State Governments are specified in the Constitution and they have exclusive jurisdiction on their respective subjects.
C. Sri Lanka is a federation because the country is divided into provinces.
D. India is no longer a federation because some powers of the States have been devolved to the local government bodies.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

Answer: (c) A and B only