Q1. What is Federalism?

Answer: Federalism is a system of government in which there are 2 or more levels of the goernment and power is divided in different levels of the government.

Q2. What are the features of the federalism? Explain with examples.

Answer: Let us look at some of the key features of federalism:- 

1. There are 2 or more levels of the government.

2. Different levels of government govern the same citizen.

3. The juridiction of the respective levels of government are specified in the Constitution.

4. The fundamental provisions of the Constitution cannot be changed by one level of government. 

5. Courts have the power to interpret the constitution and the power of different levels of government.

6. Sources of revenue for each level of  government are clearly specified to ensure its financial autonomy.

Q3. Describe three-fold distribution of legislative powers between the union government and State Government of India.

                                   Or 

How are legislative powers divided between union government and state governments? Explain

Answer:- The constitution clearly provided three-fold  distribution of legislative powers between the union and states governments. It contains three lists:

1. Union list includes subjects of national importance , such as defence of the country , foreign affairs , banking , complication and currency. The Union government Alone can make laws relating to the subjects mentioned in the union list.

2. State list contains subjects of state and local importance such as police, trade, commerce, agriculture and irrigation.  The state government alone can make laws relating to the subjects mentioned in the state list.

3. Concurrent list includes subject of common interest to both the Union government as well as the state government such as Education, forest, trade unions, marriage adoption and succession.If there laws conflict with each other , the law made by the union government will prevail.

Q4. What are the main differences between federal form of government and unitary one? Explain with examples.

Answer:- 

Federal government

1. There are 2 or more levels of the government. e.i. national state or local governments.

2. There is division of powers between different levels of governments.

3. State government is not answerable to the Central government.

4. Juridiction of each government state and Central is specified in the Constitution.

5. Central government cannot order to state government.

6. Examples, Belgium, India, Canada. 

Unitary Government

1. There is only one level of the government.

2. There is no division of powers.

3. The sub units answerable to central government.

4. There is no separate juridiction for sub- units.

5. Central government can order the state government.

6. Examples , France and China.

Q5. Distinguish between “coming together federation” and “holding together federation”.

Answer: 

Coming together federation: 

1. independent States coming together on their own to form a bigger unit.

2.  all the states have equal powers and are strong.

3.  By pulling sovereignty and retaining identity they can increase their security.

4.  USA, Switzerland Australia are examples of coming together federations.

 Holding together federation

1. Large country decide to divide its power between state and the centre.

2.  Central Government tends to be more powerful.

3.  Some units are granted special powers.

4.  India,Spain and Belgium are examples of holding together federation.

Q6. “India is a federal country”. Comment on this statement.

                                              Or 

What makes India federal country?

Answer: 

1.  India has three levels of the government e.i  Central Government, State Government and local government.

2.  Indian constitution clearly allocates powers to different levels of government under Union list, state list and concurrent list.

3.  The supreme court has been given the power to solve federal disputes.

4.  Sources of revenue by levying taxes are clearly demacrated.  Every level is free in it’s own way to impose taxes.

5.  The constitution of India is rigid.  It is rigid in the sense that no changes can be made in it unless both Central and state government approve the changes.

Q7.  What are residuary subject?

Answer: 

1. Residuary subjects are those that are not covered under Union, state and concurrent list.  

2. Union government has the power to legislate on this residuary subject.

3. For example:  Laws related to cyber law,  computer software etc.

Q8. What is coalition government 

Answer: 

A government formed by the coming together of at least two political parties. The usual reason given for this arrangement is that no party in its own an achieve a majority in the parliament.

Q9. Explain democratic policies adopted by government of India which made it a successful federation.

Answer: 

The real success of federation can be attributed to the nature of democratic policies in our country.

 It includes: 

i)  spirit of federalism.

ii) respect for diversity.

 iii) desire for living together.

Q10. The creation of linguistic States was the first and major test for democratic politics in our country.  Justify this statement.

Answer: 

Following example justify this statement:

1.  In 1947, the boundaries of several old states of India were changed in order to create new states.  

2. This was done to ensure that people who spoke the same language lived in the same state.

3.  Some states were not formed on the basis of language but to recognise differences based on culture, ethnicity or geography. These include states like Nagaland, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand.

4. The experience has shown that the formation of linguistic States has actually made the country more United.

5.  It has also made administration is easier.

Q11. Examine the language policy of India as an important aspect of our constitution.

Answer: 

1.  Our constitution did not give the status of national language to anyone language.

2.  However,  Hindi was identified as the official language but there were many safeguards to protect other regional languages.

3.  Besides Hindi,  there are 22 other languages recognised as scheduled languages by the constitution.

4. Each state in India has its own official language e.g. Punjabi in Punjab, Marathi in Maharashtra etc.

5. Much of the government work done in official language of the state.

6.  Promotion of Hindi continuous to be the official policy of the Government of India but permition does not mean that the central government can impose Hindi on state where people speak different language.

 Thus, language policy has strengthen the unity and integrity of India.

Q12. Critically analyze the centre-state relations prior to 1990 and after.

Answer: 

Prior to 1990:-

1. Prior to 1990,  same party rule at the centre and in States. But state government did not exercise their rights as autonomous federal units.

2. if the state government is ruled by the different party, the ruling parties at the centre tried to undermine powers of the state.

3. The central government of misuses the constitution to dismiss the state government. This undermise the spirit of federalism.

 After 1990:-

1. This period saw the rise of ragional political parties in many states.

2.  It was the beginning of the new era of coalition government.  This lead to culture of power sharing and respect for the autonomy of the state government.

3. After the judgement of supreme court it would difficult for the central government to dismis state government in an arbitrary manner.

Q13. What does the concept of decentralization signify?

Answer: The concept of decentralization signifies that power is taken away from Central and state governments and given to local government.

Q14. Who is Mayor?

Answer:  The head of the municipal corporation is called the mayor.

Q15. What is Zilla Parishad?

Answer:  All the Panchayat samiti aur mandal in a district together constitute the Zilla Parishad.

Q16. What is panchayati Raj?

Answer:   Rural local government is popularly known as panchayati Raj.

Q17. Who is the politically head of the municipality?

Answer: Municipal chairperson is the head of the municipality.

Q18.  Which is the highest institution of panchayati Raj in a rural areas?

Ans.

Zila Parishad is the highest institution of panchayati Raj in rural areas.

Q19.  What is the basic idea behind the centralisation?  Explain.

 or

 What is the rationale centralisation of powers?

Ans.

1.  Local people have better knowledge:- Local people have better knowledge of problems in there localities.  They also have better ideas where to spend money and how to manage think more efficiently.

2.  Direct participation of the people:-Decentralisation make it possible for the people to directly participate in decision making.

3.  Foundation of democracy:–Decentralization depends on foundation of democracy.

4. Reduction of the government:- It also reduce the burden of  the central and state government.  Local self Government ensure efficiency everywhere at all the three levels of governance.

Q20. Explain changes towards decentralization brought in the constitution after the amendments made in 1992.

Ans. The provisions of constitutional amendments are as follows:-

1.  Constitutionally mandatory to hold regular election to local government bodies.

2.  Reservation on seats for SC, ST and OBC.

3.  1/3 or 33% seats are reserve for women.

4.  State election commission has been created to conduct Panchayat and municipal election.

5.  The state governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies.

Q21. State differences between the local government before and after the constitutional amendment.

Ans. 

 Local government before 1992

1.  local government was directly under the control of the state government.

2. Elections were not held at regular interval.

3.  there was no provision for reservation of seats for women in local government bodies.

4.  No seats were reserved for SC, ST and OBCs.

5. No state election commission was formed.

Local government after 1992 

1. Local government was given some powers of their own.

2.  Elections were being held at regular interval after every 5 years.

3.  At least one third or 33% seats are reserve for women.

4.  Some seats reserve for SC, ST and OBCs.

5.  State election commission was formed.

Q22. Explain the structure of rural local government in India.

Ans. 

 Local government structure:

                     Zilla Parishad

            Panchayat samiti / Block 

                    Gram Panchayat 

1. Gram Panchayat:-

Each village or a group of villages in some States has gram Panchayat. It is the decision making body for the entire village.  Panchayat works under supervision of gram sabha. All voters in the village are members of the gram sabha. It has to meet at least twice or thrice in a year to approve the annual budget.

2. Panchayat samiti/Block:-

Panchayats are grouped together to form Panchayat samiti or block.  The members of this representative body or elected by all panchayat members in that area.

3.  Zila Parishad:- 

 All Panchayat samiti in a district together constitute Zila Parishad.  Most members of the zila parishad are elected. Zila Parishad chairperson is political head of the Zila Parishad.

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