Class 10 Social Science

Chapter 2 Solutions — Federalism

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Solutions

Overview

Step-by-step NCERT solutions for Federalism (Chapter 2, CBSE Class 10 Social Science) — every question and answer worked out in full, not just the final result. You can also read the Federalism textbook chapter.

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What these solutions cover

All 10 questions in Federalism are solved in the PDF. Here's what's inside, exercise by exercise:

Exercises

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.
What is the main difference between a federal form of government and a unitary one? Explain with an example.
State any two differences between the local government before and after the Constitutional amendment in 1992.
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.
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.
6.
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.
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.
8.
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?
- (a) State government — State List
- (b) Central government — Union List
- (c) Central and State governments — Concurrent List
- (d) Local governments — Residuary powers.
9.
Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists. List I: 1. Union of India; 2. State; 3. Municipal Corporation; 4. Gram Panchayat. List II: A. Prime Minister; B. Sarpanch; C. Governor; D. Mayor. Codes:
- (a) 1-D 2-A 3-B 4-C
- (b) 1-B 2-C 3-D 4-A
- (c) 1-A 2-C 3-D 4-B
- (d) 1-C 2-D 3-A 4-B.
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…

Sample

Worked examples

3 questions from Federalism, solved step by step.

Exercises

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.

Similar feature: Like Belgium, India has a clear division of powers between different levels of government, and this power sharing is guaranteed by the Constitution. Both are examples of 'holding together' federations where a large diverse country divides power to keep the country united.

Different feature: Belgium has a special 'community government' elected by people belonging to one language community to look after cultural, educational and language-related issues. India has no such community government; India instead added a third tier of local self-government (panchayats and municipalities) below the State level.

Answer: Similar: constitutionally guaranteed division of powers between levels of government. Different: Belgium has a 'community government'; India has a third tier of local government instead.

Exercises

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

In a federal form of government, power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units of the country, and both levels of government enjoy their power independent of the other. The central government cannot order the state government to do something; the state government has powers of its own for which it is not answerable to the central government.

In a unitary form of government, there is only one level of government, or the sub-units are subordinate to the central government. The central government can pass on orders to the provincial or local government, which have to obey them.

Example: India, the USA and Belgium are federal governments, while Sri Lanka has a unitary system where the national government has all the powers.

Answer: Federal: power is divided between a central and constituent (state) governments, each enjoying power independently (e.g. India). Unitary: one central government controls the sub-units, which must obey it (e.g. Sri Lanka).

Exercises

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

Before 1992: Elections to local governments were not held regularly, and local governments did not have any powers or resources of their own, so there was very little decentralisation in effective terms.

After 1992: It became constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies; seats were reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, Other Backward Classes and at least one-third of positions for women; a State Election Commission was created in each State to conduct these elections; and State governments were required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies.

Answer: Before 1992 elections were irregular and local bodies had no powers/resources; after 1992 regular elections became mandatory, seats were reserved (incl. one-third for women), a State Election Commission was set up, and States had to share powers and revenue.

All 10 questions in Federalism are solved step by step in the Solutions PDF above.

Board papers

Federalism in CBSE board papers

Tested in 68 questions across 22 Class 10 board papers (2020–2026). Open a set to see exactly how this chapter is asked:

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Chapter 2 Solutions — Federalism

Overview

What these solutions cover

Exercises

Worked examples

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.

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

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

Federalism in CBSE board papers

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