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Federalism
CH 2 Civics | Class 10
Hand Written Notes
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 FEDERALISM
* What is Federalism ?
i> A system of government in which the
power is divided between central authority and
constituent
various units of the country .

4
Usually ,
a
federation has two levels of government -

Central for
a. -

governing .
the entire
country
r .
State level

Both these level their independent

4
the other
enjoys power
of .

*
Key features of Federalism :

4Thene are two or more levels of government .

I>
Different times of government govern the same
citizen ,
within their jurisdiction .

↳ The jurisdiction of the respective tiers of government are

specified in the constitution .

One level of government cannot change the fundamental

provision of the Constitution without consent of the
other levels .

4 Sources of revenue for each level of government

clearly specified to its financial
are ensure
autonomy .

4 Courts have the power to interrupt the constitution

and the powers of different levels of government .

*
Why Federalism is important ?
To safeguard and promote unity of the
country
•
.

To regional
accommodate diversity
•
.
 Types of Federalism

Comming together Holding together

Federalism Federalism
USA Australia
,
India , Belgium

*
Unitary .

Government :

Either there is and one level of government

lov 'T
•

or the lower work under the central

( union) government .

•
Most of the powers are in the hands of
central government .

-
Sri Lanka ,
China ,
etc .

* What makes India a Federal Country ?

•
In Constitution of India ,
the word
'

FEDERATION
'

is
no where !

* Then how is India Federal ?

" Constitution declared India as union of States .

"
Indian Union is based on system of federation .

"
Initially there were two tiers of government ,
later
third tier was added i.e .

Panchayati Raj .

* Distribution of powers between center and state

is stated in 3 lists -

Union List

State List

concurrent List
Bunion List :

"
Includes subjects like defence of country , foreign affairs ,

communication and
banking ,
currency .

•
Central government alone can make laws .

it State List :

"
Includes subjects like police ,
trade ,
commence , agriculture .

The state government alone can make laws .

iii. Concurrent List :

'
Includes subjects like education , forest ,
trade union , marriage .

"
Both center and state government can make laws .

"

If their laws conflict with each other ,

the law
made by the Union Government will prevail .

* Residuary Subjects :

'
Includes subjects which are not included in the
three lists .

• Central government alone can make laws .

•
Includes subjects like computer software , cyber
security .

' This sharing of power between the Union

Government and the State governments is basic
to the structure of the Constitution .

'
It is not easy to make changes to this
power shaming arrangement .

•
The judiciary plays an important role in
overseeing
the implementation of constitutional provisions and
procedures .

Incase of any dispute about the division of

powers ,
the High Courts and the Supreme
Court make a decision .
" Federations that are formed by
'

holding together
'

do not give equal power to its constituent

units .

'
All States in the Indian Union do not have
identical
powers .

• Some States enjoy a special status .

•
Earlier Jammu and Kashmir had the special
status .

* Union Territories :

'
'
These are small areas which can 't become
state but they can 't be merged with other
states .

" The central government have special powers in

running these areas .

•
Eg .
-

Delhi , Chandigarh .

* How is Federalism practiced f

-
Linguistic States :

t In 9947 boundaries of several old States of

India were changed in order to create new
States .

4Th:S was done to ensure that people who spoke

language lived in same state .

e. Some States were created on the basis of culture ,

ethnicity or
geography .

Language Policy :

t Hindi was identified as official language .

e. Later English along with Hindi was choosers

for
official purposes .

e. States too have their own official languages .

129 other languages were recognised as scheduled

languages by the constitution .
e. A candidate in an examination conducted for the
central Government positions may opt to take
the examination in
any of these languages .

-
Centre -
State relation :

ie After 9990 ,
there was beginning of the era of Coalition
government .

e. Since then ,
no single party got a clear majority in
the Lok Sabha ,
the major national parties had
to enter into alliance with many panties including
several regional panties to form a government at the
centre .

4 This led to a new culture of power sharing

and respect for the of State
autonomy .

governments .

* Decentralisation in India :

B.
In 9992 the constitution was ammended to make
the third tier of government .

•
Now it is
mandatory to hold elections regularly at
local government bodies .

•
Seats are reserved for St ,
SC ,
OBC .

•
State governments are required to share some
power
and revenue with Local government bodies .

• Now ,
there are about 36 lakhs representative at local
government bodies .

Answer the Question

0

-
-
-

9. The Union List includes subjects such as :

a) Education , forests ,
trade unions , marriages , adoption and succession .

b) Police ,
trade ,
commerce , agriculture and irrigation .

c) Residuary subjects like computer software .

d) Defence , foreign affairs , banking , currency ,

communications .

Answer : d
2. Which amon the following are examples of
•

Coming together federations

'

?
a) India , Spain and Belgium
b) India ,
USA and Spain
c) USA , Switzerland and Australia
d) Belgium and Sri Lanka

Answer : c
 1 Mark Questions

1. Which administrative authority legislates on Residuary

subjects?
[1M, 2021 Sample Paper]
A1. Centre / Union

2. Which administrative authority legislates on Union list?

[1M, 2021 Sample Paper]
A2. Centre / Union

3. Name the subject list from which both the Union and the State
governments can make laws?
[1M, 2017]
A3. Concurrent List
 4. What other factors besides politics keep the federations united ?
[1M, 2015]
A4. Besides politics, other factors which keep the federations
. united are culture, ideology and history. Culture of trust,
. cooperation, mutual respect and restraint has also helped in
. the smooth functioning of nations.

5. What was the main objective of the Constitutional Amendment

made in 1992 in India?
[1M, 2015]
A5. The main objective of the Constitutional Amendment in 1992
. was to strengthen the three-tier system of governance, i.e.,
. make the Panchayati Raj Institution and the urban local bodies
. more powerful and effective.
 6. Which local body has a ‘Mayor’ as its head?
[1M, 2014]
A6. Head of Municipal Corporation is a Mayor.

7. Much of the official work in Indian States is done in which

language?
[1M, 2014]
A7. Much of the official work in Indian States is done in the official
. language of the concerned state.

8. What is Rural local self government popularly known as?

[1M, 2013]
A8. Panchayati Raj
 9. What status has been given to the ‘Hindi’ language by the
Constitution of India?
[1M, 2013]
A9. Hindi has been given the status of ‘Official language’ by the
. Constitution of India.

3 Mark Questions

10. Describe any three steps taken by the government towards

decentralization in the year 1992.
[3M, 2021 Sample Paper]
A10.
(i) Constitution mandate to hold regular elections to local
government bodies.

(ii) Reservation of seats in the elected bodies and the

executive heads of these institutions for the Scheduled
Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other Backward Classes.

(iii) Reservation of at least one third of all positions for women.

11. Describe any three federal features of Indian democracy
[3M, 2021 Sample Paper]
A11.
(i) Division of powers between the centre and states

(ii) There are three lists: Union List, State List, Concurrent List.

(iii) Residuary subjects

12. Name any two subjects that are included in the Concurrent
List. How are laws made on these subjects?
[3M, 2019]
A12.
• Concurrent List includes subjects of common interest to both
the Union and State government. These subjects are
education, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption and
succession etc.

• Both the state and the Union governments can make laws on
these subjects. But if the laws made by both the government
contradict each other, or a deadlock is created, then the law
made by the Union government will prevail.
13. How is the sharing of power between the Union and the State
Governments basic to the structure of the Constitution of India?
Explain.
[3M, 2019]
A13.
• Sharing of power between the Union and the State
governments is very basic to the structure of the Constitution.
The Constitution has distributed the legislative powers
between the state government and Union government by
dividing the subjects in Union list and State list, on which,
these governments can make laws respectively. There is a
Concurrent list as well on which, both the governments can
make laws.

• Also, State governments enjoy their own power in the states

like Jammu and Kashmir. Many provisions of the Indian
Constitution are not applicable in the states without the
approval of the state government. On the other hand, the
Union government enjoys its own hold over some of the union
territories. This distribution of power is well embedded in the
provisions of the constitution and is thus is its basic structure.

14. Describe any three provisions of amendment made in ’Indian

Constitution’ in 1992 for making ‘Three-Tier’ government more
effective and powerful.
[3M, 2018]
A14. A major step towards decentralization was taken in 1992.
. The ‘ constitution was amended to make the third tier of
. democracy more powerful and effective:
• Now it is constitutionally mandated to hold regular
elections for local government bodies
• Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the
executive heads of these institutions for SC/ST/Backward
classes. At least one-third of all positions are reserved for
women.
• An independent institution called the State Election
Commission has been created in each state to conduct
Panchayat and Municipal elections.

15. India comes under which type of federation and why?

[3M, 2014]
A15.
India comes under ‘a holding together’ type federation. In this
type of federation, a large country divides its power between
the constituent States and the National government. There is
one government for the entire country and the others are
governments at the State level. Both Central and State
Governments enjoy their power independent of the other.

The Central government tends to be more powerful vis-a-vis

the states. Often different constituent units of the federation
have unequal powers. For example, special powers have been
granted to Jammu & Kashmir till 2019.
16. Why is decentralisation favoured in democracy? Identify any
two reasons.
[3M, 2014]
A16. Two advantages of decentralisation of power:
1. When power is taken away from Central and State
Governments and given to local governments, it is called
decentralisation. The basic idea behind decentralisation is
that there are a large number of problems and issues which
are best settled at the local level. People have better
knowledge of problems in their localities.
2. They also have better ideas on where to spend money and
how to manage things more efficiently.

17. Explain the vertical division of power by giving examples from

India.
[3M, 2013]
A17.
When power is shared among governments at different levels,
i.e., the Union or the Central Government, the State
Government and the Municipality and Panchayat at the lower
 level. This division of power involving higher and lower levels
of government is called the vertical division of power.

Vertical division of power in India:

The Constitution declares India as a Union of States. Although

the word ‘Federation’ is not used, the Indian Union is based on
the principles of federation. The Constitution originally provided
for a two-tier system of government, the Union Government or
the Central Government representing Union of India and the
State Governments.

A third-tier of federation was added in the form of Panchayats

and Municipalities. As in any federation, these different tiers
enjoy separate jurisdiction. The Constitution provides for a
three-fold distribution of legislative powers between the Union
Government and State Government. It contains three lists:
1. Union List (97 Subjects)
2. State List (66 Subjects)
3. Concurrent List (47 Subjects)

5 Mark Questions

18. How is federal power sharing more effective today than in the
early years? Explain.
[5M, 2017]
A18.
1. Federal power sharing is more effective because of the nature
of democratic politics in India. It has ensured that the spirit of
federalism, respect for diversity and desire for living together
have become a shared ideal in our country.
2. Federal power sharing has helped to inculcate a habit of
democratic participation. Federal power sharing is the best
way to realise one important principle of democracy, namely
local self-government. Constitutional status for local
government has helped to deepen democracy.
• It has increased women’s representation and voice in
democracy.
• Federal power sharing has led to formation of linguistic
states which has actually made the country more united.
It has also made administration easier.
• It reduces the power of the Central government and
gives power to regional governments.

19. Explain any five features of federalism.

[5M, 2015]
A19. Features of federalism:
1. There are two or more levels of government.
2. Different levels of government govern the same citizens,
where each level has its own jurisdiction in specific matters
of legislation, taxation and administration.
 3. Existence and authority of each level of government is
constitutionally governed.
4. The fundamental provisions of the Constitution cannot be
unilaterally changed. Such changes require the consent of
both the levels of government.
5. Courts have the power to interpret the Constitution and
powers of the different levels of government. The highest
court acts as the umpire if any dispute arises between
different levels of governments.

20. Which five provisions of the constitutional amendment of 1992

really strengthened the third tier of democracy in India? Explain.
[5M, 2015, 2013, 2012]
A20. Major steps towards decentralisation and strengthening of
. third tier taken in 1992 were:
1. Now it is constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to
Local Government bodies.
2. Seats are reserved in elected bodies for scheduled castes,
scheduled tribes and other backward classes (OBCs).
3. At least one-third of all positions and seats are reserved for
women.
4. An independent institution called the State Election
Commission was created to conduct Panchayat and Municipal
elections.
5. The State Governments are required to share some powers
and revenue with Local Government bodies.
21. Describe the three forms of power sharing among different
organs of government in India.
[5M, 2014]
A21.
The Constitution declared India as a Union of States based on
the principles of federalism. The Constitution originally provided
for a two-tier system of government, the Union or the Central
Government representing Union of India and the State
Governments. Later, a third tier was added in the form of
Panchayats and Municipalities.

As in any federation, these different tiers enjoyed separate

jurisdiction. The Constitution provided a three-fold distribution of
legislative powers:
1. Union List includes subjects of national importance, i.e.,
defence of the country, foreign affairs, banking,
communications and currency.
2. State List contains subjects of state and local importance,
i.e., police, trade, commerce, agriculture and irrigation.
3. Concurrent List includes subjects of common interest to
both the Union Government as well as the State
Governments, i.e., education, forests, trade unions,
marriages, adoption and succession.
In case of dispute, law made by the Union Government
shall prevail.
 4. Residuary—Subjects which do not fall in any of the three
lists, i.e., computer software, etc. Union Government has
the power to legislate such subjects.
• As India is an example of ‘holding together’ federation,
all states in the Indian Union do not have identical
powers. Some states enjoy special status such as
Jammu & Kashmir. There are some states too small to
become independent like the Union Territories of
Chandigarh and Lakshadweep.
• This sharing of power between the Union Government
and State Governments is basic to the structure of the
Constitution. Any change to it, has to be passed by
both the Houses of the Parliament with at least two-
third majority.
• The judiciary plays an important role in the
implementation of constitutional procedures. In case
of any dispute about division of powers, the High
Courts and the Supreme Court make a decision.

22. Why has federalism succeeded in India? Which are the

policies adopted by India that have ensured it? Explain.
[5M, 2013, 2012]
A22. Reasons for success of federalism in India are:
1. Clearly laid out Constitutional Provisions providing a
three-fold distribution of powers in the three lists—Union
List, State List and Concurrent List—between the Union
Government and State Governments.
2. The nature of democratic politics in our country which
ensures that the spirit of federalism, respect for diversity
and desire for living together became a shared ideal.
3. The creation of linguistic states. Boundaries of several old
states of India were changed in order to create new
states. This was done to ensure that people who spoke
the same language lived in the same state. Later some
states were created to recognise differences based on
culture, ethnicity or geography.
For example: Nagaland, Uttrakhand, Jharkhand,
Telangana, etc.
4. Restricting Centre-State relations. The constitutional
arrangements for sharing power work depending on how
the ruling parties and leaders follow these arrangements.
For a long time, the same party ruled both at the Centre
and in most of states. Post-1990 saw the rise of regional
parties. Since no single party got a clear majority in the
Lok Sabha, the national parties had to enter into an
alliance which led to a new culture of power sharing and
respect for autonomy of State Governments.