NCERT Solutions · Class 10 SST · NCERT Social Science Political Science: Democratic Politics II · Chapter 2
Chapter 2: Federalism (Political Science)
Answers to all exercise questions of Political Science Chapter 2, Federalism (NCERT Class 10 Social Science, Democratic Politics II, 2026-27): map work, Indian and Belgian federalism compared, federal and unitary governments, the 1992 amendment on local government, coming-together and holding-together federations, language policy, the Union, State and Concurrent Lists, and the matching questions. All 12 questions are answered, with the key answer highlighted.
Free NCERT solutions by Notes Bazar · www.notesbazar.in/ncert-solutions/class-10-sst/political-science-chapter-2-federalism
Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units, each with its own jurisdiction guaranteed by the Constitution. India has three lists of subjects: the Union List (defence, foreign affairs, banking, communications, currency), the State List (police, trade, commerce, agriculture, irrigation) and the Concurrent List (education, forests, trade unions, marriage, adoption, succession). Residuary subjects belong to the Union.
Identify and shade three federal countries (other than India) on a blank outline political map of the world.
Solution
Examples you can shade: the United States of America, Canada, Australia, Brazil, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium, Russia, Spain and Argentina. For instance, shade the USA and Canada (North America), Brazil (South America) and Australia.
For example, the USA, Canada and Australia (also Brazil, Germany, Switzerland, Belgium or Russia).
Point out one feature in the practice of federalism in India that is similar to, and one feature that is different from, that of Belgium.
Solution
Similar: in both countries, power is divided between the central government and state (regional) governments, and the powers of each level are laid down in the constitution, so that the state governments are not subordinate to the centre.
Different: Belgium also has a third kind of government, the community government, elected by people of one language community (Dutch, French or German speaking), which has power over cultural, educational and language matters. India has no such community government; its third tier is local government (panchayats and municipalities). Also, India is a holding-together federation in which the Centre is more powerful.
Similar: power is divided between central and state governments under the constitution. Different: Belgium has a community government for each language group, which India does not have.
What is the main difference between a federal form of government and a unitary one? Explain with an example.
Solution
Federal government
Unitary government
Power is divided between two or more levels of government
There is only one level of government, or the sub-units are subordinate to the central government
Each level has its own jurisdiction guaranteed by the constitution; the central government cannot order the state government to do something
The central government can pass orders to the provincial or local government
Example: India, the USA
Example: Sri Lanka, the United Kingdom
For example, in India the Union Government cannot change the powers of the states on its own, because they are given by the Constitution. In Sri Lanka, the national government has all the power.
In a federal system power is constitutionally divided between levels of government, each independent in its sphere (e.g. India); in a unitary system the central government holds the power and sub-units are subordinate (e.g. Sri Lanka).
State any two differences between local government before and after the Constitutional amendment of 1992.
Solution
Before 1992
After the 1992 amendment
Local governments were directly under state governments, and elections were not held regularly
It is constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies
No reservation of seats
Seats are reserved for SCs, STs and OBCs, and at least one-third of all positions for women
Local bodies had no powers or resources of their own
State governments must share some powers and revenue with local bodies
No independent body to conduct elections
An independent State Election Commission conducts panchayat and municipal elections
After 1992, regular elections became compulsory, and at least one-third of seats were reserved for women (along with reservations for SCs, STs and OBCs); State Election Commissions were created and states had to share powers and revenue with local bodies.
Fill in the blanks: Since the United States is a ____ type of federation, all the constituent States have equal powers and States are ____ vis-à-vis the federal government. But India is a ____ type of federation and some States have more power than others. In India, the ____ government has more powers.
Solution
Since the United States is a coming together type of federation, all the constituent States have equal powers and States are strong vis-à-vis the federal government. But India is a holding together type of federation and some States have more power than others. In India, the Central (Union) government has more powers.
coming together; strong; holding together; Central (Union)
Here are three reactions to India's language policy. Give an argument and an example to support any one. Sangeeta: the policy of accommodation has strengthened national unity. Arman: language-based States have divided us by making everyone conscious of their language. Harish: this policy has only helped to consolidate the dominance of English over all other languages.
Solution
I support Sangeeta.
Argument: India has no national language. Hindi is the official language, but the Constitution recognises 22 languages as Scheduled Languages. States have their own official languages, and English continues to be used along with Hindi for official purposes. This flexible, accommodating policy has made people of every language group feel respected, which has prevented conflict.
Example: under the Constitution, the use of English for official purposes was to stop in 1965. Many non-Hindi-speaking States demanded that it continue, and in Tamil Nadu the movement turned violent. The Centre responded by agreeing to continue the use of English along with Hindi. Similarly, the formation of linguistic states (from 1956) did not divide the country, as many feared; it has made administration easier and the country more united. Compare Sri Lanka, where imposing Sinhala as the only official language led to civil war.
I agree with Sangeeta: recognising 22 languages, linguistic states and the continued use of English with Hindi (after the 1965 protests in Tamil Nadu) accommodated all groups and kept India united.
The distinguishing feature of a federal government is: (a) The national government gives some powers to the provincial governments. (b) Power is distributed among the legislature, executive and judiciary. (c) Elected officials exercise supreme power. (d) Governmental power is divided between different levels of government.
Solution
(d) Governmental power is divided between different levels of government.
Group these subjects under the Union, State and Concurrent Lists: A. Defence B. Police C. Agriculture D. Education E. Banking F. Forests G. Communications H. Trade I. Marriages
Which pair (level of government and its law-making powers) is not correctly matched? (a) State government – State List (b) Central government – Union List (c) Central and State governments – Concurrent List (d) Local governments – Residuary powers
Solution
Residuary subjects (those not in any list, such as computer software) come under the Union Government.
Match List I with List II: 1. Union of India 2. State 3. Municipal Corporation 4. Gram Panchayat; A. Prime Minister B. Sarpanch C. Governor D. Mayor. Options: (a) D A B C (b) B C D A (c) A C D B (d) C D A B
Solution
1 – A (Prime Minister), 2 – C (Governor), 3 – D (Mayor), 4 – B (Sarpanch).
Which statements are correct? A. In a federation, the powers of the federal and provincial governments are clearly demarcated. B. India is a federation because the powers of the Union and State Governments are specified in the Constitution and they have exclusive jurisdiction on their respective subjects. C. Sri Lanka is a federation because the country is divided into provinces. D. India is no longer a federation because some powers of the States have been devolved to local government bodies. Options: (a) A, B and C (b) A, C and D (c) A and B only (d) B and C only
Solution
C is wrong (Sri Lanka has a unitary government; dividing a country into provinces does not make it federal). D is wrong (decentralisation to local bodies makes India a three-tier federation; it does not end federalism).
