Class 10 Social Science Chapter 13 Power Sharing (Civics) PYQ

Class: X Subject: Social Science Session: 2025-26 Book: Political Science Type: PYQ (Board Exam) Board: CBSE Chapter 1 : Power Sharing

SECTION A : Multiple Choice Questions (1 Mark Each)

Q1. Which of the following is NOT a form of power sharing? [CBSE 2023] [1]
(a) Horizontal distribution
(b) Vertical distribution
(c) Power sharing among different social groups
(d) Dictatorship Ans:
(d) Dictatorship. Power sharing includes horizontal (among organs of govt), vertical (among levels of govt), among social groups, and among political parties. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q2. Belgium shifted from a unitary to a federal form of government in: [CBSE 2022] [1]
(a) 1990
(b) 1993
(c) 2000
(d) 1947 Ans:
(b) 1993. Belgium amended its constitution four times between 1970 and 1993 to work out an arrangement acceptable to both Dutch and French communities. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q3. The ethnic composition of Belgium includes: [CBSE 2024] [1]
(a) 59% Dutch, 40% French, 1% German
(b) 50% Dutch, 50% French
(c) 70% French, 30% Dutch
(d) 80% Dutch, 20% French Ans:
(a) 59% Dutch-speaking, 40% French-speaking, and 1% German-speaking. This diversity led to tensions and eventually power-sharing arrangements. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q4. Majoritarianism in Sri Lanka led to: [CBSE 2021] [1]
(a) Economic prosperity
(b) Civil war
(c) Better democracy
(d) Federal system Ans:
(b) Civil war. The Sinhala-majority government policies alienated the Tamil minority, leading to a devastating civil war that lasted for nearly three decades. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q5. The community government in Belgium is elected by: [CBSE 2020] [1]
(a) All citizens
(b) People belonging to one language community
(c) Only Dutch speakers
(d) Only French speakers Ans:
(b) People belonging to one language community (Dutch, French, or German-speaking), no matter where they live, can vote for their community government. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q6. Which of the following is a prudential reason for power sharing? [CBSE 2023] [1]
(a) It is morally correct
(b) It reduces conflict between social groups
(c) It upholds the spirit of democracy
(d) People have a right to be consulted Ans:
(b) It reduces conflict between social groups. Prudential reasons focus on practical/beneficial outcomes like political stability and reduced violence. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q7. In Sri Lanka, the Official Language Act of 1956 recognised: [CBSE 2022] [1]
(a) Tamil as official language
(b) Sinhala as the only official language
(c) Both Sinhala and Tamil
(d) English as official language Ans:
(b) Sinhala as the only official language. This discriminatory measure ignored the Tamil-speaking minority and became a major source of ethnic conflict. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q8. The system of checks and balances ensures that: [CBSE 2021] [1]
(a) One organ of government has all the power
(b) Power is shared among legislature, executive, and judiciary
(c) Only the President has power
(d) Military controls the government Ans:
(b) Power is shared among legislature, executive, and judiciary. Each organ checks the others, preventing concentration of power in any single body. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q9. What percentage of the population in Brussels speaks French? [CBSE 2024] [1]
(a) 40%
(b) 59%
(c) 80%
(d) 20% Ans:
(c) 80%. Although Dutch-speaking people are majority in Belgium overall, Brussels (the capital) has 80% French-speaking population. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q10. Assertion
(a) : Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. Reason (R): A democratic rule involves sharing power with those affected by its exercise. [CBSE 2024] [1]
(a) Both true and (R) correctly explains
(a)
(b) Both true but (R) does not explain
(a)
(c)
(a) is true but (R) is false
(d)
(a) is false Ans:
(a) Both true and (R) correctly explains
(a) . Democracy is fundamentally about people having a say in governance, which requires power sharing. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

SECTION B : Short Answer Questions (3 Marks Each)

Q11. Compare the approaches of Belgium and Sri Lanka towards power sharing. [CBSE 2023] [3] • Belgium: Recognised the existence of regional differences and cultural diversities. Amended constitution to give equal representation to both communities in central government. • Sri Lanka: Adopted majoritarianism - Sinhala-only language policy, preferential treatment to Sinhalese in university and government jobs, state protection to Buddhism. • Result: Belgium achieved unity and avoided civil strife through accommodation. Sri Lanka faced a terrible civil war lasting decades due to alienation of Tamils.

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Q12. Explain any three forms of power sharing in modern democracies. [CBSE 2024] [3] • Horizontal: Power shared among different organs - legislature, executive, and judiciary at the same level. Each organ checks the others (checks and balances). • Vertical: Power shared among different levels of government - central, state, and local governments. Constitution clearly defines powers of each level (federalism). • Among Social Groups: Power shared among different social groups like religious and linguistic groups through reserved constituencies, community governments, etc.

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Q13. Why is power sharing desirable? Give prudential and moral reasons. [CBSE 2022] [3] • Prudential: Reduces conflict between social groups. Countries like Sri Lanka show that concentration of power in one group leads to civil war and instability. • Moral: Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. People have a right to be consulted in how they are governed. It is the fundamental principle of democracy. • Practical: It ensures that different communities, regions, and interests have a voice in governance, leading to better decisions and greater legitimacy of the government.

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Q14. Describe the accommodation made in Belgium to solve its ethnic problem. [CBSE 2021] [3] • Equal Representation: Dutch and French-speaking ministers got equal representation in the central government. No single community could make decisions unilaterally. • State Governments: State governments were given many powers and were not subordinate to central government, allowing regional autonomy. • Community Government: A third kind of government (community government) was created, elected by one language community to deal with cultural, educational, and language-related issues.

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Q15. How did majoritarianism in Sri Lanka lead to civil war? [CBSE 2020] [3] • Language Policy: In 1956, Sinhala was made the only official language, disregarding Tamil. This alienated the Tamil-speaking minority from the very beginning. • Preferential Policies: Sinhalese were given preferential access to universities and government jobs. Buddhism was given special status as state religion. • Civil War: Tamil parties demanded autonomy and equal rights. When denied, militant groups took up arms, leading to a devastating civil war from 1983 to 2009.

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SECTION C : Long Answer Questions (5 Marks Each)

Q16. "Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy." Justify this statement with suitable arguments. [CBSE 2024] [5] Ans: Power sharing is fundamental to democracy: • Against Tyranny: Democracy is against concentration of power in one person or group. Power sharing ensures no single entity can impose its will on all others. • Legitimacy: When citizens feel they have a stake in governance through representation, the government enjoys greater legitimacy and public trust. • Conflict Resolution: Belgium shows that accommodating diverse groups through power sharing prevents conflicts.

Sri Lanka shows what happens when power is not shared. • Better Decisions: When power is distributed, decisions are taken after consultation with affected communities, leading to more balanced and inclusive policies. • Unity in Diversity: In diverse societies like India, power sharing among linguistic, religious, and regional groups holds the nation together and prevents disintegration. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q17. Compare the power-sharing model of Belgium with that of Sri Lanka. What lessons can be drawn? [CBSE 2023] [5] Ans: The two countries offer contrasting lessons: • Belgium - Accommodation: Despite a complex ethnic composition (Dutch 59%, French 40%, German 1%), Belgium chose to share power equally through constitutional amendments. • Belgium - Innovations: Created community governments, equal cabinet representation, and a separate arrangement for Brussels to satisfy all communities. • Sri Lanka - Majoritarianism: The Sinhala majority (74%) imposed its language, religion, and preferential policies on the Tamil minority (18%).

• Sri Lanka - Consequences: This led to alienation of Tamils, rise of militant groups, and a devastating civil war (1983-2009) that killed thousands. • Lesson: Power sharing and accommodation of diversity leads to unity and stability. Majoritarianism leads to conflict, civil war, and national disintegration. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q18. Describe the different forms of power sharing in Indian democracy with examples. [CBSE 2022] [5] Ans: Indian democracy practises multiple forms of power sharing: • Horizontal: Power divided between Legislature (Parliament), Executive (PM and Council), and Judiciary (Supreme Court). Each checks the others. • Vertical/Federal: Power shared between Central Government, State Governments, and Local Bodies (Panchayats, Municipalities). Constitution defines each level's powers. • Among Social Groups: Reserved constituencies for SCs, STs, and OBCs ensure representation. Community-based bodies address specific group interests.

• Among Political Parties: Coalition governments, opposition parties, and pressure groups all share political space. No single party monopolises power. • Decentralisation: 73rd and 74th Amendments strengthened local self-government, bringing power closer to the people through Panchayati Raj and Municipal bodies. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q19. Why did the makers of the Indian Constitution opt for power sharing? Explain with examples. [CBSE 2021] [5] Ans: India chose power sharing due to its immense diversity: • Diverse Society: India has hundreds of languages, multiple religions, and thousands of castes. No single group can claim to represent all Indians. • Federal Structure: India adopted a federal system with a strong centre and powerful states, allowing regions to govern their own affairs while maintaining national unity. • Reserved Seats: Seats reserved for SCs, STs, and OBCs in Parliament and Assemblies ensure that historically marginalised communities have political representation.

• Three Tiers: Central government, state governments, and local self-government (Panchayats and Municipalities) ensure power reaches the grassroots level. • Learning from History: The Partition of 1947 showed the devastating consequences of failing to accommodate diverse groups. Power sharing prevents such tragedies. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Q20. Explain the concept of horizontal and vertical power sharing with examples from India. [CBSE 2020] [5] Ans: Power is shared both horizontally and vertically: • Horizontal: At the same level - Legislature makes laws, Executive implements them, Judiciary interprets them. Parliament can make laws but courts can strike them down if unconstitutional. • Example: Supreme Court declared the NJAC Act unconstitutional in 2015, checking the power of Parliament. This is horizontal power sharing in action.

• Vertical: Among different levels - Union Government handles defence, foreign affairs; State Governments handle police, health; Local bodies handle local issues. • Constitutional Division: The Constitution has Union List, State List, and Concurrent List to clearly define which level handles what subjects. • Significance: Both forms together ensure no single body accumulates excessive power, protecting citizens' rights and maintaining democratic governance. ______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ --- End of Chapter 1 PYQ ---