The document discusses provisions of the Indian constitution related to federalism and decentralization. It provides 10 multiple choice questions with short answers on topics like the States Reorganization Commission, power sharing between central and state governments in a federal system, subjects on the various legislative lists, and the head of a municipal corporation. It also provides 5 short answer questions with 3 marks each on related topics and 5 long answer questions with 5 marks each. Overall, the document serves as a review of important constitutional concepts and previous year board exam questions on civics topics concerning federalism and decentralization in India.
The document discusses provisions of the Indian constitution related to federalism and decentralization. It provides 10 multiple choice questions with short answers on topics like the States Reorganization Commission, power sharing between central and state governments in a federal system, subjects on the various legislative lists, and the head of a municipal corporation. It also provides 5 short answer questions with 3 marks each on related topics and 5 long answer questions with 5 marks each. Overall, the document serves as a review of important constitutional concepts and previous year board exam questions on civics topics concerning federalism and decentralization in India.
The document discusses provisions of the Indian constitution related to federalism and decentralization. It provides 10 multiple choice questions with short answers on topics like the States Reorganization Commission, power sharing between central and state governments in a federal system, subjects on the various legislative lists, and the head of a municipal corporation. It also provides 5 short answer questions with 3 marks each on related topics and 5 long answer questions with 5 marks each. Overall, the document serves as a review of important constitutional concepts and previous year board exam questions on civics topics concerning federalism and decentralization in India.
The document discusses provisions of the Indian constitution related to federalism and decentralization. It provides 10 multiple choice questions with short answers on topics like the States Reorganization Commission, power sharing between central and state governments in a federal system, subjects on the various legislative lists, and the head of a municipal corporation. It also provides 5 short answer questions with 3 marks each on related topics and 5 long answer questions with 5 marks each. Overall, the document serves as a review of important constitutional concepts and previous year board exam questions on civics topics concerning federalism and decentralization in India.
1. Why was States Reorganization Commission formed? [CBSE S.R 2016-17]
Ans. States Reorganization Commission was formed in 1954 to recommend creation of States on the linguistic basis.
2. How do the Central and State Governments enjoy their power in federal system? [CBSE S.R 2016-17] Ans. Under the unitary system, either there is only one level of government or the subunits are subordinate to the central government whereas in federal system, power is distributed between centre and state.
3. In which list of the Indian Constitution does education come?
Why? [CBSE S.R 2016-17] Ans. Education comes under concurrent list so that both the centre and the states can legislate on any aspect of education.
4. How many seats are reserved for women in the local bodies in India? [CBSE 2016] Ans. At least one-third of the seats are reserved for women in the local bodies in India.
5. What other factors besides politics keep the federations united? [CBSE 2016] Ans. Besides politics other factors that keep federations united are: (i) Power sharing arrangements between the central and state governments (ii) Independent role of judiciary (ill) Language ethnicity (iv) Response to conflicting claims and (v) Active participation of the people. (any two)
6. What is the official post for the chairperson of a municipal
corporation? [CBSE 2015] Ans. Mayor is the official post for the chairperson of a municipal corporation.
7. What status has been given to Hindi by the Constitution of India? [CBSE 2015] Ans. Official language of the country.
8. Which subjects are included in the Union List? [CBSE 2014]
Ans. Defence of the nation, foreign affairs, banking, currency, communication.
9. Which local body has a „Mayor‟ as its head? [CBSE 2014]
Ans. Municipal Corporation https://www.youtube.com/@PadhleTenthies 1 https://bit.ly/padhleapp https://t.me/padhlein PREVIOUS YEAR CIVICS QUESTIONS-X 10. Define the term federalism. [Delhi 2010] Ans. Federalism is a system of government in which the power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units of the country. Both these levels of the government the central and the state—enjoy their powers independent of each other.
SHORT ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (3 Marks)
11. How is sharing of power between the Union and the State Governments basic to the structure of the Constitution of India? Explain. [AI Ajmer 2019] Ans. The power sharing arrangement in our country is mainly based on the quasifederal nature of the federation. The constitution, therefore, clearly provides a three-fold distribution of legislative powers between the union government and the state government. These folds are: (a) Union List: Union List is the first fold of the three List system. It includes subjects of national importance because we need a uniform policy on the Union List subjects throughout the country. The Parliament is solely empowered to enact laws on the Union List subjects. Defence, atomic energy, foreign affairs, railways, banking, posts and telegraphs are the important Union List subjects. (b) State List: State List is the second fold of the three-fold division. This list contains subjects of state and local importance such as police, trade and commerce, agriculture and irrigation. The state legislature alone can make laws relating to the subjects mentioned in the State List. (c) Concurrent List: This list constitutes the third fold of the List system. The Concurrent list includes subjects of common interest to both, the Union government as well as the State government, such as education, forests, trade unions, marriages,adoption and succession. Both the Union as well as the State governments can make laws on the Concurrent List. If their laws conflict with each other, the law made by the Union Government will prevail.
12. Describe any three provisions of amendment made in Indian constitution in 1992 for making. „Three-Tier' government more effective and powerful. [CBSE 2018] Ans. a. Now it is constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies. b. Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the executive heads of these institutions for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.
https://www.youtube.com/@PadhleTenthies 2 https://bit.ly/padhleapp https://t.me/padhlein PREVIOUS YEAR CIVICS QUESTIONS-X c. At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women. d. An independent institution called the State Election Commission has been created in each state to conduct panchayat and municipal elections. e. The state governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies.
13. “India has a large cultural, regional and religious diversity. But there is unity among people”. What factors are responsible for this? Elaborate. [CBSE 2016-17] Ans. a. Right to equality. b. No discrimination on the basis of caste, creed, region or religion. c. SCs & STs have some seats reserved and do get representation. d. Right to freedom of religion and cultural and educational rights.
14. Explain the factors that make federal government in India so attractive. [CBSE 2017] Ans. a. Mobilization b. Administrative knowledge of the people at all the levels. c. Efficacy to solve all kinds of issues at respective levels.
15. Differentiate between Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat. [CBSE 2015] Ans. Gram Panchayat is a council consisting of several ward members often called panch and a head or Sarpanch. It is the decision making body for the village. The Panchayat works under the overall supervision of the gram sabha. All the voters in the village are its members.
16. What are the three lists given in the Constitution? [CBSE 2014] OR Describe the three-fold distribution of legislative power between the Union Government and State Governments of India. [CBSE 2014] Ans. The three-fold distribution of legislative powers: a. Union list: Union lists consist of 97 subjects. It includes subjects of national importance such as defence of the country, foreign affairs, banking, communication and currency. b. State list: State list consists of 66 subjects. It contains subjects of state and local importance such as police, trade, commerce, agriculture and irrigation. c. Concurrent list: Concurrent list consist of 47 subjects It includes subjects of common interest to both such as education, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption and succession.
17. Do you take decentralisation as means to minimise the conflicts? [CBSE 2015] OR Describe the significance of decentralisation. [CBSE 2011] https://www.youtube.com/@PadhleTenthies 3 https://bit.ly/padhleapp https://t.me/padhlein PREVIOUS YEAR CIVICS QUESTIONS-X Ans. Importance of Decentralisation a. It helps in the settlement of a large number of problems and issues at the local level. b. It provides a platform for the direct participation of people in decision-making. c. In another way, decentralization in the form of „local self government‟ is the best way to realize principles of Democracy.
LONG ANSWER TYPE QUESTIONS (5 Marks)
18. Explain any five provisions of the Constitutional Amendment of 1992 that strengthened the third tier of government in India. [CBSE 2016-17] Ans. The Constitution was amended in 1992 to make the third tier of democracy more powerful and effective. a. Now it is mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies. b. Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the executive heads of these institutions for SC, ST and OBCs. c. At least l/3rd of all positions and seats are reserved for women. d. An independent institution called State Election Commission has been created in each state to conduct panchayat and municipal elections. e. The State Governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies. The nature of sharing varies from state to state.
19. Explain any five key features of federalism. [CBSE 2014]
OR Describe the main features of federalism. [CBSE 2014] OR Enlist any five features of federalism. [CBSE S.R 2013, 2012] OR Mention any five main features which makes India a federal country. [CBSE S.R 2012, 2011] Ans. Main Features of Federalism: a. There are two or more levels of government. India has three levels. b. Each level of government has its own jurisdiction in matters of legislation, taxation and administration even though they govern the same citizens. c. Power and functions of each tier of government is specified and guaranteed by Constitution. d. The Supreme Court has been given power to settle disputes between different levels of governments. https://www.youtube.com/@PadhleTenthies 4 https://bit.ly/padhleapp https://t.me/padhlein PREVIOUS YEAR CIVICS QUESTIONS-X e. Fundamental provisions of the Constitution cannot be altered by any‟ one level of government. It applies to India also. f. Sources of revenue between different levels is specified by the Constitution, g. There is mutual trust and agreement between the government at different levels.
20. Explain five changes towards decentralisation brought in the Constitution after the Amendments made in 1992. [CBSE 2012] OR What is the meaning of decentralisation? Explain any four provisions that have been made towards decentralisation in India after the Constitutional Amendment in 1992. [CBSE S.R 2012, S.R 2016-17] OR Which five provisions of the Constitutional Amendment of 1992 strengthen the third tier of democracy in India? Explain. [CBSE 2012] OR Explain any four provisions that have been made towards decentralisation in India after the Constitutional Amendment in 1992? [CBSE 2011] OR What is meant by "decentralisation of powers”? Explain the importance of local self government in the light of decentralization. [CBSE 2011] OR How has the third tier of government in our country been made more effective and powerful by the constitutional amendment of 1992? [CBSE 2011] OR Describe any four Constitutional steps taken in 1992 towards decentralisation in India. [CBSE 2011, 2010] Ans. Decentralisation: When power is taken from 'Central and State Governments and is given to the local government, it is called decentralisation. The Constitution was amended in 1992 to make the third tier of democracy more powerful and effective. Provisions of the Constitutional Amendment of 1992 are: a. Now it is mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies. b. Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the executive heads of these institutions for SCs. STs and OBCs. c. At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women. d. An independent institution called State Election Commission has been created in each state to conduct panchayat and municipal elections. e. The state governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies.
