Federalism Class 10 Notes | Easy Explanation with Examples | CBSE SST

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🌍 Federalism – Class 10 Political Science (Notes with Explanation)

🔹 1. What is Federalism?

👉 Definition: Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and various state or regional authorities.

💡 Teaching Trick – Think of a School!

• The Principal (Centre) manages big issues like overall rules, safety, reputation.
• The Teachers (States) handle daily activities, discipline, and subject teaching.
• Both are important and cannot overrule each other directly.

Difference between Unitary vs Federal Government

Feature	Unitary Govt.	Federal Govt.
Levels of Govt.	Only one	Two or more
Power	Centre controls everything	Power shared between Centre & States
Accountability	States answerable to Centre	Both Centre & States answerable to people

🔑 Key Features of Federalism

1. Two or more levels of government.
2. Each level has its own jurisdiction.
3. Powers divided by Constitution (not temporary).
4. No unilateral changes – both Centre & States must agree.
5. Independent courts settle disputes.
6. Revenue sources clearly divided.

💡 Memory Hack – “J-U-R-I-S-D”

• Jurisdiction
• Units of govt.
• Revenue division
• Independent judiciary
• Separate Constitution powers
• Democratic consent for change

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🔹 2. Types of Federations

1. Coming Together Federation

   • Independent states join to form a bigger one.
   • States are stronger than the Centre.
   • Example: USA, Switzerland, Australia.

2. Holding Together Federation

   • A big country divides power between Centre & States.
   • Centre is usually stronger.
   • Example: India, Spain, Belgium.

💡 Quick Question for Exam – India belongs to which type?
👉 Holding Together Federation ✅

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🔹 3. What makes India a Federal Country?

1. Three Levels of Govt. – Centre, State, Local.
2. Three Lists:
   • Union List – Defence, Foreign Affairs (only Centre makes law).
   • State List – Police, Trade, Agriculture (only States).
   • Concurrent List – Education, Forests (both can make laws, but Centre’s law prevails if conflict).
3. Residuary Subjects – Like Computer software → Only Centre makes laws.
4. Rigid Constitution – Both Centre & States must agree to make changes.
5. Independent Judiciary – Supreme Court settles disputes.
6. Special Powers – States like J&K (before 2019), Nagaland, Mizoram, Assam enjoy special status due to history & culture.

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🔹 4. How is Federalism Practiced in India?

• Linguistic States – States formed on basis of language (e.g., Andhra Pradesh first linguistic state).
• Language Policy – No national language. Hindi = Official, + 22 Scheduled Languages.
• Centre–State Relations – After 1990, coalition govts. made Centre share power with States → strengthened federalism.

💡 Real Life Example – Tamil Nadu uses Tamil as official language; Centre cannot impose Hindi there.

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🔹 5. Decentralization in India (1992 Amendment)

👉 Definition: Giving power to local governments (Panchayats & Municipalities).

Why Important?

• Local people know their problems best.
• Promotes direct participation in democracy.
• Helps in efficient use of resources.

Steps Taken (1992):

1. Regular elections for local bodies.
2. Reservation for SCs, STs, OBCs, and 1/3rd for women.
3. State Election Commission → conducts panchayat & municipal elections.
4. States must share powers & revenue with local governments.

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🔹 6. Rural Local Government (Panchayati Raj)

• Gram Sabha → All voters in a village (approves budget, reviews work).
• Gram Panchayat → Elected members + Sarpanch (village-level govt.).
• Panchayat Samiti → Block level.
• Zila Parishad → District level body (controls all Panchayat Samitis).

💡 Memory Trick – “G-P-P-Z” → Gram Sabha → Panchayat → Panchayat Samiti → Zila Parishad.

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🔹 7. Urban Local Government

• Municipalities – for towns.
• Municipal Corporations – for big cities.
• Mayor → Head of Municipal Corporation.

Impact: Increased women’s participation, deepened democracy.
Challenges: Lack of funds, irregular meetings, states not giving enough power.

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🔹 8. Key Terms

• Jurisdiction – Legal authority over an area.
• Coalition Government – Govt. formed by 2 or more parties sharing power.

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🎯 Exam Smart Tips

✅ Always write with examples (India = Holding Together, USA = Coming Together).
✅ Draw a flowchart of Union/State/Concurrent lists.
✅ Revise 1992 Amendment (Decentralization) → frequently asked.
✅ Use comparison tables (Unitary vs Federal, Rural vs Urban govt.).
✅ Practice past year questions (usually 3 markers).

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📘 Federalism – Class 10 Question Bank

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🔹 A. Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs – 1 mark each)

1. Federalism means:
   a) Only one level of government
   b) Power divided between Centre and States
   c) Central Government is supreme
   d) Only local government exists
   Answer: b) Power divided between Centre and States

2. India is a:
   a) Unitary federation
   b) Coming Together federation
   c) Holding Together federation
   d) Confederation
   Answer: c) Holding Together federation

3. Which of the following subjects is included in the Union List?
   a) Police
   b) Defence
   c) Trade
   d) Agriculture
   Answer: b) Defence

4. The system of Panchayati Raj was made constitutional in the year:
   a) 1947
   b) 1975
   c) 1992
   d) 2001
   Answer: c) 1992

5. Who is the political head of a Municipal Corporation?
   a) Sarpanch
   b) Gram Pradhan
   c) Mayor
   d) Chairperson
   Answer: c) Mayor

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🔹 B. Very Short Answer Questions (1 mark each)

1. Define federalism.
   👉 Answer: Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and various state or regional authorities.

2. Name any two ‘Coming Together’ federations.
   👉 Answer: USA and Switzerland.

3. What is the minimum reservation for women in local government bodies?
   👉 Answer: One-third (33%).

4. What is Gram Sabha?
   👉 Answer: Gram Sabha is the assembly of all adult voters of a village.

5. Who settles disputes between different levels of government in India?
   👉 Answer: The Supreme Court.

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🔹 C. Short Answer Type Questions – I (2 marks each)

1. Distinguish between Union List and State List.
   👉 Answer:

• Union List contains subjects of national importance (e.g., defence, foreign affairs) and only Centre can legislate.
• State List contains subjects of state importance (e.g., police, trade) and only States can legislate.

2. Why is decentralization important in a democracy?
   👉 Answer:

• Local people have better knowledge of local problems.
• It allows direct participation in decision-making.

3. Mention two steps taken by the Indian government in 1992 towards decentralization.
   👉 Answer:

• Regular elections for local bodies made mandatory.
• Reservation of seats for SCs, STs, OBCs, and women.

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🔹 D. Short Answer Type Questions – II (3 marks each)

1. Explain any three key features of federalism.
   👉 Answer:

• Two or more levels of government.
• Jurisdiction of each level is specified by the Constitution.
• Courts settle disputes between Centre and States.

2. Differentiate between ‘Coming Together’ and ‘Holding Together’ federations (any three points).
   👉 Answer:

• Coming Together: States join voluntarily; Centre is weak.
• Holding Together: Large country divides power; Centre is strong.
• Example: USA (Coming), India (Holding).

3. How has linguistic reorganisation of states strengthened federalism in India?
   👉 Answer:

• Ensured people speaking the same language live together.
• Reduced chances of conflict.
• Recognized cultural and ethnic diversity.

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🔹 E. Long Answer Questions (5 marks each)

1. “The constitutional design of India has made it a federal country.” Explain with examples.
   👉 Answer:

• India has three levels of government – Centre, State, and Local.
• Powers divided into Union List, State List, Concurrent List.
• Supreme Court settles disputes.
• Rigid Constitution – cannot be changed unilaterally.
• Special powers to certain states like Nagaland, Mizoram.
  Thus, India is rightly called a federal country.

2. Explain the major provisions of the 1992 Amendment (Decentralization of Power).
   👉 Answer:

• Regular elections for local bodies.
• Reservation for SCs, STs, OBCs, and 1/3rd for women.
• Creation of State Election Commission.
• State governments must share power and revenue with local bodies.
• Gram Sabhas were empowered to make decisions.

3. Describe the structure of Rural Local Government (Panchayati Raj) in India.
   👉 Answer:

• Gram Sabha – Assembly of all voters, approves budget.
• Gram Panchayat – Elected body with Sarpanch, executes decisions.
• Panchayat Samiti – Block-level body coordinating Gram Panchayats.
• Zila Parishad – District-level body overseeing Panchayat Samitis.

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✨ Exam Strategy for Students:

• Revise MCQs daily for quick recall.
• Write point-wise answers for 3 & 5 markers.
• Draw a diagram of three lists & panchayati raj structure in answers → fetches extra marks.
• Practice at least 3 long questions before exam day.

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