FEDERALISM

Q1.What is federalism?
A1.It is a system of government in which the power is divided b/w a central
authority and the various constituent units of the country. Usually a federation has
two levels of government:
1.A government for the entire country that is responsible for the subjects of common
national interest.
2.The governments at the state level that look after the day to day administering of
their state.
Both these governments have independent powers.
Q2Distinguish b/w Unitary and Federal form of government.
1.UNITARY SYSTEM:
a)Either there is only 1 level of government or there are sub-units which are under
the central government.
b)The central government can pass orders to the state or local governments.
2.FEDERAL SYSTEM:
a)There is a 2nd level of government which is not under the central government.
b)The state governments have powers of their own and not answerable to the
central government.
Q3.What are the features of federalism?
A3.
1.There are 2 or more levels of governments. Each level governs the same citizens
but each has its own area of passing laws in matters of tax, administration, etc.
2.The powers of each level of government has been specified in the constitution.
These powers cannot be changed by any one level of government. The changes
require the consent of both levels.
3.The highest court has the power to act as an umpire if disputes arise b/w the
different levels of governments in the exercise of their powers.
4.Sources of revenue for each level of government have been specified so that they
are financially independent.
Q4.How are federations formed? OR Why does the exact balance of power b/w
Centre and State vary from one federation to another? OR On what principal is the
Indian Union based? ( Ans point 2. The Indian Union is based on the principal of
Holding Together Federation: )
A4. The balance differs because federations are formed through 2 routes:
1.COMING TOGETHER FEDERATION: This is when independent states come
together on their own to form a bigger unit. By pooling their freedom and retaining
their identity, they increase their security. These states have equal power and are
strong vis--vis the Central government. Eg. USA, Australia.
2.HOLDING TOGETHER FEDERATION: This is when a large country decides to
divide its powers b/w the central and state government. Here the Central
government is more powerful vis--vis the state government. Very often, different

states have unequal powers. Some states are granted special powers. Eg,. India,
Belgium.
Q5.What are the constitutional provisions regarding the practical application of
Indian federation? OR What makes India a federal country?
A5.The constitutional provisions are:
1.DIVISION OF POWERS: There is a 3 fold division of powers b/w the Union and
State government. The subjects of national importance are placed under the Central
government authority and the subjects of regional importance are placed under the
State government authority.
2.RIGID AND WRITTEN CONSTITUTION: The powers and structure of the
governments are written in the constitution. No changes can be made in the power
sharing arrangement unless both, the Union and State government, approve of it.
3.INDEPENDENT JUDICIARY: India has an independent judiciary system. The
Supreme court has the original power and authority of settling disputes b/w the
Central and State government or b/w 2 or more States.
4.SOURCE OF REVENUE: The sources of revenues for each level of government is
separate so that they are financially independent.
Q6.What are the 3 tiers of federalism in India?
A6.
1.The constitution originally provided for a 2 tier system of government- the Union
Government or Central Government and the State Government.
2.Later a 3rd tier of federalism was added in the form of Panchayats and
Municipalities.
3.These different tiers have powers.
Q7.Explain the 3 fold distribution of legislative powers b/w the Union and State
governments.
A7.
1.UNION LIST: It includes subjects of national importance such as defence, foreign
affairs, banking, transport, currency. They are included in this list because we need
a uniform policy on these matters throughout the country. Only the Union
government can make laws on these subjects.
2.STATE LIST: It contains subjects of State and local importance such as police,
trade, agriculture, irrigation etc. Only the State government can make laws on these
subjects.
3.CONCURRENT LIST: It includes subjects of common interests to both Union and
State governments, such as education, forest, marriages, adoption, etc. Both, Union
and State governments, can make laws on these subjects. In case of any dispute, the
law made by the Union government will be passed.
Q8.Explain Residuary subjects.
A8.The subjects which do not fall in any of the 3 lists ie. Union, State and
Concurrent lists, are called Residuary subjects eg Computer Software. These
subjects came up after the constitution was made. According to the constitution,
only the Union government has the power to make laws on them.
Q9.Explain Union Territories.
A9.
1.There are some units of the Indian territory that enjoy very little power.

2.These are areas that are too small to become an independent state and they could
not be merged with any of the existing state.
3.These areas are Chandigarh, Delhi, Dadar and Nagar Haveli, Daman and Diu,
Lakshadweep, Pondicherry, and Andaman and Nicobar.
4.These areas do not have the power of a state and are the control of the Central
government.
Q10.How can changes be made in the power sharing arrangement b/w Union and
State government?
A10.
1.It is not easy to make any changes to this power sharing arrangement.
2.The Parliament cannot on its own change this arrangement.
3.Any change to it has to be first passed by both the houses of parliament with at
least 2/3 majority.
4.Then it has to ratified by the legislatures of at least half of the total states.
Q11.Why has special status been given to a few states in India? Discuss the special
status given to Jammu and Kashmir.
A11.A few states in India have been given special status due to diverse population
and region within the state itself. J and K has its own constitution and many of the
provision of the Indian constitution are not applicable to this state without the
approval of the State Assembly. Indians who are not permanent residents of this
state cannot buy land or house here.
Q12.How is federalism practiced? OR What is the reason for a successful federation
in India?
A12.
1.LINGUISTIC STATES: In 1947, the boundaries of many old states were changed
to create new ones. These states were created on the basis of language, culture,
ethnicity or geography eg Nagaland,
2.LANGUAGE POLICY: Our constitution did not give the status of national
language to any language. Hindi was recognized as the official language 21 other
languages as Scheduled Languages. Much of the work is done in the official
language of the concerned state.
3.CENTRE-STATE RELATION: For a long time the same party ruled both center
and state which meant that the state governments did not exercise their power. In
1990, many regional parties came up and the era of coalition governments in the
center began. This led to power sharing and respect for the autonomy of State
Governments. This was also supported by the Supreme Court.
Q13.Why was a cautious approach taken to the use and spread of Hindi?
A13.According to the constitution, the use of English for official purpose was to stop
in 1965. But many non-Hindi speaking states ,eg Tamil Nadu, demanded to continue
the use of English along with Hindi for official purpose. The Central Government
agreed to it because the constitution did not want to impose Hindi on States where
people speak a different language. This flexibility shown by the Indian leaders
helped our country to avoid the kind of situation that Sri Lanka faced.
Q14.Write a short note on the Linguistic diversity of India.
A14.

1.In 1991, the Census of India recorded more than 1500 languages which people
mentioned as their mother tongue.These languages were grouped under some major
languages. Even after this grouping the Census found 114 major languages.
2.Out of these,22 languages are now included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian
Constitution and are called Scheduled languages. Others are called non-scheduled
languages.
Q15.What is decentralization?Why do we need to decentralize powers in India?
A15.When power is taken away from the Central and State government and given
to local governments, it is called decentralization. It is needed in India because:
1.A vast country like India cannot be run only through 2 levels of governments.
Some states in India are as large as countries of Europe. Many are internally
diverse.
2.The basic idea was that the people have a better knowledge of problems in their
localities. They would have a better idea of where to spend the money and how to
manage things.
Q16.What was the Amendment in regard to decentralization? When was it taken?
Q16.The Act gave Constitutional status to the Panchayat Raj. This was the 3rd tier
below Central and State government. The aim was to make democracy more
powerful and effective. This step was taken in 1992.
Q17.List the salient features of the Amendment Act of 1992.OR What steps were
taken to decentralize power at the village and town levels by the Constitution of
India?
A17. The features are: (or..The steps taken were)
1.To hold regular elections to local government bodies( every 5yrs)
2.To provide reservations for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other
Backward Classes.
3.1/3 seats of seats reserved for women.
4.The state government to share some power and revenue with local government.
Q18.Give differences b/w the local government before and after the Amendment
Acts of 1992.
A18.
BEFORE AMENDMENT:
1.The Panchyatas and municipalities were set up in all states, but they were under
the control of the State Government.
2.Elections to the local government was not held regularly.
AFTER AMENDMENT:
1.The 3rd tier was made more powerful and effective.
2.Elections were held regularly every 5yrs.
Q19.Explain the working of the rural local government.
A19.Rural local government is called Panchayat Raj.
1.Each village has a gram panchayat. The members are called panch and the
president is the Sarpanch.
2.They are directly elected by all the adult population of that village. It is the
decision making body for the whole village.
3.Afew gram panchayats are grouped together to form a Panchayat Samiti or block
or mandal.

4.all the Panchayat Samitis in a district together form the Zilla Parishad.
Q20.Write briefly about the local government in urban areas.
A20.Municipalities are set up in towns and Municipal Corporation in big cities.
Municipal Chairperson is the head of the municipalities and the Mayor is the head
of the Municipal Corporation.
Q21.How is a federal government better than a unitary government? Explain with
eg of Belgium and Sri Lanka.
1.Two or more levels of government: In a federal government, there are 2 or more
levels of government. For eg in Belgium, there is a Central government, State
government of 2 regions, a separate government for Brussels and a Community
government. In a unitary government, there is only one national government as in
Sri Lanka.
2.Division of powers: In a federal government, powers are divided the 2 levels of
governments. In Belgium, powers have been divided b/w the 2 governments. Some
powers have been given to the Community government also. But in a unitary
government, all the powers are with the national government. Even if some powers
are given to the sub-units, they can be taken back.
3.Constitution is supreme: In a federal government, the Constitution is supreme.
Any change requires the approval of both the governments. For eg in Belgium, some
laws have been made which require the approval from both Dutch and French
ministers. But in a unitary government no approval is needed. In Sri Lanka, the
national government can change the constitution.
(NEETA)