Class 10 Social Science Chapter 14 Federalism (Civics) Practice Paper 1

Class: X Subject: Political Science Session: 2025-26 Chapter: 02 - Federalism Time: 1½ Hours Max. Marks: 40

General Instructions:

1. All questions are compulsory.

2. This question paper contains 20 questions divided into five sections A, B, C, D and E.

3. Section A contains 10 MCQs of 1 mark each.

4. Section B contains 4 questions of 2 marks each.

5. Section C contains 3 questions of 3 marks each.

6. Section D contains 1 question of 5 marks.

7. Section E contains 2 Case Study Based questions of 4 marks each.

SECTION A - Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark each)

Q1. Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between:
(a) Legislature, Executive and Judiciary
(b) Central authority and constituent units of the country
(c) Urban and rural local governments
(d) Rich states and poor states

Q2. Which of the following is an example of a 'coming together' federation?
(a) India
(b) Spain
(c) Belgium
(d) Switzerland

Q3. Which list contains subjects of national importance such as defence, foreign affairs, and banking?
(a) State List
(b) Union List
(c) Concurrent List
(d) Residuary List

Q4. How many languages are included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution?
(a) 18
(b) 20
(c) 22
(d) 25

Q5. What is the third tier of government in India called?
(a) State Government
(b) Union Territories
(c) Local Government
(d) Regional Government

Q6. In which year was the Constitution amended to make the third-tier of democracy more powerful?
(a) 1990
(b) 1991
(c) 1992
(d) 1993

Q7. What percentage of positions are reserved for women in local government bodies?
(a) One-fourth
(b) One-third
(c) Half
(d) Two-thirds

Q8. Which of the following subjects is included in the Concurrent List?
(a) Police
(b) Education
(c) Defence
(d) Agriculture

Q9. The political head of a Gram Panchayat is called:
(a) Panch
(b) Sarpanch
(c) Mayor
(d) Collector

Q10. Hindi is the mother tongue of approximately what percentage of Indians?
(a) 30%
(b) 40%
(c) 50%
(d) 60%

SECTION B - Short Answer Questions (2 marks each)

Q11. Differentiate between 'coming together' federations and 'holding together' federations. Give one example of each.

Q12. What is a coalition government? Why did coalition governments become common in India after 1990?

Q13. Explain the concept of jurisdiction in the context of federalism.

Q14. What are Union Territories? Give two examples.

SECTION C - Short Answer Questions (3 marks each)

Q15. Describe three key features of the federal system of government.

Q16. How did the linguistic reorganization of states strengthen democracy in India? Explain with examples.

Q17. Explain the language policy adopted in India and how it differs from that of Sri Lanka.

SECTION D - Long Answer Question (5 marks)

Q18. Discuss the three-fold distribution of legislative powers between the Union Government and the State Governments in India. Explain each list with suitable examples and mention what happens if there is a conflict between laws made by the Union and State on concurrent list subjects.

SECTION E - Case Study Based Questions (4 marks each)

Q19. Read the following case study and answer the questions that follow: The Constitution originally provided for a two-tier system of government, the Union Government or what we call the Central Government, representing the Union of India and the State governments. Later, a third tier of federalism was added in the form of Panchayats and Municipalities. A major step towards decentralisation was taken in 1992. The Constitution was amended to make the third- tier of democracy more powerful and effective. Now it is constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies. At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women.

(a) When was a major step towards decentralization taken in India? (1 mark)
(b) What is the third tier of Indian federalism called? (1 mark)
(c) Why was decentralization considered necessary in India? (2 marks)

Q20. Read the following case study and answer the questions that follow: Belgium shifted from a unitary to a federal form of government in 1993. The change that took place was that the regional governments were given constitutional powers that were no longer dependent on the central government. India had emerged as an independent nation after a painful and bloody partition. 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.

(a) In which year did Belgium become a federal country? (1 mark)
(b) Why doesn't the Indian Constitution use the word 'federation'? (1 mark)
(c) Compare the federal systems of Belgium and India. (2 marks) DETAILED ANSWER KEY - PAPER 01

SECTION A - Answers to MCQs

Q1.
(b) Central authority and constituent units of the country Federalism involves vertical division of power between central authority and various constituent units like states or provinces.

Q2.
(d) Switzerland Switzerland is a 'coming together' federation where independent states came together to form a bigger unit. India, Spain, and Belgium are 'holding together' federations.

Q3.
(b) Union List The Union List includes subjects of national importance such as defence, foreign affairs, banking, communications, and currency.

Q4.
(c) 22 There are 22 languages recognized as Scheduled Languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution.

Q5.
(c) Local Government Local government (Panchayats in rural areas and Municipalities in urban areas) is the third tier of government in India.

Q6.
(c) 1992 In 1992, the Constitution was amended to make the third-tier of democracy more powerful and effective through the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments.

Q7.
(b) One-third At least one-third of all positions in local government bodies are reserved for women.

Q8.
(b) Education Education is included in the Concurrent List. Police and Agriculture are in State List, while Defence is in Union List.

Q9.
(b) Sarpanch The Sarpanch is the president or political head of the Gram Panchayat, elected directly by the villagers.

Q10.
(b) 40% Hindi is the mother tongue of only about 44% (approximately 40%) of Indians, making it impossible to impose it as the only national language.

SECTION B - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Q11. Coming Together vs Holding Together Federations Coming Together Federations: Independent states come together on their own to form a bigger unit. All constituent states usually have equal power and are strong vis-à-vis the federal government. Example: USA, Switzerland, Australia. Holding Together Federations: A large country decides to divide its power between constituent states and the national government. The Central Government tends to be more powerful vis-à-vis the States. Example: India, Spain, Belgium.

Q12. Coalition Government A coalition government is formed by the coming together of at least two political parties. Partners in a coalition form a political alliance and adopt a common programme. After 1990, coalition governments became common in India because no single party got a clear majority in the Lok Sabha. This era saw the rise of regional political parties, and major national parties had to enter into alliances with regional parties to form government at the Centre.

Q13. Jurisdiction in Federalism Jurisdiction refers to the area over which someone has legal authority. In federalism, jurisdiction can be defined in two ways:

1. Geographical boundaries: Each tier of government has authority over a specific geographical area.

2. Specific subjects: Each level of government has the authority to legislate on certain subjects (Union List, State List, Concurrent List).

Q14. Union Territories Union Territories are areas that are too small to become independent states but could not be merged with existing states. These territories do not have the powers of a state, and the Central Government has special powers in running these areas. Examples: Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, Delhi, Puducherry, Andaman and Nicobar Islands.

SECTION C - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Q15. Three Key Features of Federal System

1. Multiple Tiers of Government: A federal system has two or more levels (tiers) of government - central/union government and state/provincial governments.

2. Constitutional Guarantee: The jurisdictions of respective levels of government are specified in the constitution. The existence and authority of each tier is constitutionally guaranteed and cannot be unilaterally changed by one level.

3. Independent Judiciary: Courts have the power to interpret the constitution and the powers of different levels of government. The highest court acts as an umpire if disputes arise between different levels of government in the exercise of their respective powers.

Q16. Linguistic Reorganization and Democracy The linguistic reorganization of states strengthened democracy in India in several ways:

1. Respected Diversity: It recognized and respected India's linguistic diversity instead of imposing a single language.

2. Made Country More United: Despite initial fears of disintegration, the formation of linguistic states actually made the country more united by giving people states where they could communicate in their mother tongue.

3. Easier Administration: It made administration easier as people could interact with the government in their own language. Examples: Formation of Andhra Pradesh (1953) for Telugu speakers, reorganization of states in 1956 creating Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, etc.

Q17. India's Language Policy India's Language Policy: • No national language declared; Hindi identified as official language • 22 Scheduled Languages recognized • English continues alongside Hindi for official purposes • States have their own official languages • Flexible and accommodative approach Difference from Sri Lanka: India adopted a cautious, flexible approach unlike Sri Lanka which imposed Sinhala as the only official language. India's policy prevented the kind of ethnic conflict Sri Lanka faced. When Tamil Nadu opposed Hindi imposition in 1965, the Central Government agreed to continue using English, showing flexibility that maintained national unity.

SECTION D - Answer to Long Answer Question

Q18. Three-fold Distribution of Legislative Powers The Indian Constitution provides a three-fold distribution of legislative powers between the Union and State Governments through three lists:

1. UNION LIST: • Contains subjects of national importance • Only Union Government can make laws on these subjects • Examples: Defence of the country, foreign affairs, banking, communications, currency • Reason: We need uniform policy on these matters throughout the country

2. STATE LIST: • Contains subjects of state and local importance • Only State Governments can make laws on these subjects • Examples: Police, trade, commerce, agriculture, irrigation • Allows states to handle local matters according to their specific needs

3. CONCURRENT LIST: • Contains subjects of common interest to both Union and State Governments • Both levels can make laws on these subjects • Examples: Education, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption, succession • If there is a conflict between Union and State laws on concurrent subjects, the law made by the Union Government will prevail Residuary Subjects: Subjects that do not fall in any of the three lists (like computer software) fall under Union Government's jurisdiction. This ensures flexibility for future developments.

This distribution ensures effective division of powers while maintaining national unity and allowing for regional diversity.

SECTION E - Answers to Case Study Based Questions

Q19. Decentralization in India
(a) A major step towards decentralization was taken in 1992 when the Constitution was amended (73rd and 74th Amendments).
(b) The third tier of Indian federalism is called Local Government, which includes Panchayats in rural areas and Municipalities in urban areas.
(c) Decentralization was considered necessary in India for several reasons: • Large states like Uttar Pradesh and Maharashtra are as big as independent countries of Europe (UP is bigger than Russia in population) • Many states are internally very diverse and need power sharing within themselves • Local people have better knowledge of local problems and better ideas on where to spend money • It enables direct participation of people in decision making, promoting democratic values • It is the best way to realize the principle of local self-government

Q20. Federal Systems - Belgium and India
(a) Belgium became a federal country in 1993 when it shifted from a unitary to a federal form of government.
(b) The Indian Constitution does not use the word 'federation' but declares India as a 'Union of States'. This was done because: • The word 'federation' is associated with a voluntary agreement • Indian states did not have the right to secede from the Union • However, the Indian Union is based on all principles of federalism
(c) Comparison between Belgian and Indian federal systems:

Similarities: • Both have multiple levels of government • Powers are constitutionally guaranteed • Both aim to accommodate diversity Differences: • Belgium is a 'holding together' federation like India, but it transformed from unitary to federal recently (1993), while India has been federal since independence • Belgium's federalism is based on linguistic communities (Dutch, French, German), while India's is based on states with diverse languages • India has a third tier (local government) which is more developed than in Belgium