CBSE Class 10 Social Science (Political Science) Chapter-Federalism
Federalism is one of the most important chapters in CBSE Class 10 Political Science because it explains how power is shared between different levels of government in a country. In a vast and diverse nation like India, governing the entire population from a single center would be difficult. Therefore, the Constitution provides a federal system in which powers are divided among the Central Government, State Governments, and Local Governments. This arrangement helps maintain unity while respecting regional diversity. Before going through these CBSE notes, students must read NCERT textbooks and solve all the questions given in the textbook with the help of NCERT solutions for Class 10.
The chapter highlights the key features of federalism, such as the existence of multiple levels of government, division of powers, written constitutional provisions, and an independent judiciary. Students also learn how federalism has strengthened democracy in India by promoting participation, accountability, and balanced development. The chapter discusses the linguistic reorganization of states and the importance of decentralization through Panchayats and Municipalities. Understanding federalism helps students recognize how democratic governance functions effectively in a country with different languages, cultures, and traditions. It also develops awareness about the roles and responsibilities of various government institutions and their contribution to national development and social harmony.
Theory notes covering key features of federalism, types of federation, the Indian federal structure, distribution of powers, decentralisation, linguistic states and language policy.
Table of Contents- Important Terms
- Meaning of Federalism
- Key Features of Federalism
- Unitary System
- Federal vs Unitary Government
- Routes of Federation Formation
- The Indian Federation
- Distribution of Legislative Powers
- Instances of Unequal Division of Power
- Role of Judiciary
- Reasons for Success of Federalism in India
- Decentralisation
- Solved Questions
- Exercises
Important Terms
Meaning of Federalism
Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units of the country. Usually, a federation has two levels of government:
- One government for the entire country, responsible for subjects of common national interest.
- Governments at the level of provinces or states, looking after day-to-day administration of their state.
Both levels of government enjoy their power independent of the other. Under the unitary system, either there is only one level of government or the sub-units are subordinate to the central government. In a federal system, the central government cannot order state governments to do something — state governments have powers of their own and are separately answerable to the people.
Key Features of Federalism
- There are two or more levels (tiers) of government.
- Different tiers govern the same citizens, but each tier has its own jurisdiction in specific matters of legislation, taxation and administration.
- The jurisdictions of the respective levels of government are specified in the constitution. The existence and authority of each tier is constitutionally guaranteed.
- The fundamental provisions of the constitution cannot be unilaterally changed by one level of government. Such changes require the consent of both levels.
- Courts have the power to interpret the constitution and the powers of different levels of government. The highest court acts as an umpire if disputes arise between levels of government.
- Sources of revenue for each level of government are clearly specified to ensure financial autonomy.
- The federal system has dual objectives: to safeguard and promote the unity of the country while accommodating regional diversity.
- Two crucial aspects are mutual trust and agreement to live together between different levels of government.
Meaning of Unitary System
A unitary state is a sovereign state governed as a single entity. The central government is supreme, and administrative divisions exercise only powers delegated by the central government. Sub-divisional units can be created, abolished or have their powers broadened or narrowed by the central government.
Federal vs Unitary Government
| Federal Government | Unitary Government |
|---|---|
| The government works at more than one level — central and state governments. | The government works at only one level — Union or central level. |
| Each level of government has its own powers written in the constitution. | All powers lie with the central government, which can give orders to state governments. |
| There is a division of power between the central and state governments. | States are created merely for administrative purposes. State governments have no independent powers. |
Routes Through Which Federations Are Formed
First Route: Coming Together Federation
Independent states come together on their own to form a bigger unit. By pooling sovereignty and retaining identity, they increase their security. Examples: USA, Switzerland, Australia. In this type, all constituent states usually have equal power and are strong vis-à-vis the federal government.
Second Route: Holding Together Federation
A large country decides to divide its power between the constituent states and the national government. Examples: India, Spain, Belgium. In this type, the central government tends to be more powerful. Different constituent units often have unequal powers, and some units may be granted special powers.
The Indian Federation
India is a federation in which the activities of the government are divided between the central government and various state governments, each having certain powers under its jurisdiction. Key features of the Indian federal government include:
(i) Division of Powers
The most important feature is the division of powers. Subjects of national importance are placed under the central government's authority; subjects of regional importance are placed under state government's authority.
(ii) Written and Rigid Constitution
India has a written, rigid and supreme constitution. It is rigid in the sense that no changes can be made without the approval of both the national and state governments. The constitution is supreme — both central and state legislatures exercise powers as specified by it.
(iii) An Independent Judiciary
India has an independent judicial system. The Supreme Court of India has original powers and the exclusive authority to settle disputes between the Government of India and one or more states, or between two or more states.
Distribution of Legislative Powers: The Three Lists
The Constitution provided a three-fold distribution of legislative powers between the Union and State Governments.
| List | Subjects | Legislating Authority |
|---|---|---|
Union List | Subjects of national importance: defence, foreign affairs, banking, communications, currency. | Union Government alone can make laws. |
State List | Subjects of state and local importance: police, trade, commerce, agriculture, irrigation. | State Governments alone can make laws. |
Concurrent List | Subjects of common interest: education, forests, trade unions, marriage, adoption and succession. | Both Union and State Governments can make laws. In case of conflict, Union Government's law prevails. |
Residuary Subjects | Anything outside the above three lists (e.g., computers, software, internet). | Union Government alone can legislate. |
Instances of Unequal Division of Power
- Residuary powers lie with the Union Government.
- Being a "holding together" federation, there is unequal division of power between central and state governments.
- Some states enjoy special status — for example, Jammu & Kashmir had its own constitution under Article 370. Many provisions of the Indian Constitution did not apply to it without the approval of the state assembly. Indians who were not permanent residents of the state could not buy fixed assets there.
- Some units (Union Territories like Chandigarh, Delhi and Lakshadweep) enjoy very little power. These areas are too small to become independent states and are ruled by the central government.
Role of the Judiciary in a Federal Country
- The Judiciary plays an important role in a federal country.
- The Supreme Court and High Courts have the power to interpret the constitution and resolve disputes between the central and state governments regarding division of powers.
- Courts ensure that the Union Government does not misuse its powers.
- The Union and State Governments have the power to raise their own financial resources.
Reasons for Success of Federalism in India
Linguistic States
The creation of linguistic states was the first major test for democratic politics in India. Since independence, many old states have been reorganised and new states created so that people who spoke the same language lived in the same state. Some states — such as Nagaland, Uttarakhand and Jharkhand — were created not on the basis of language but to recognise differences based on culture, ethnicity or geography. Experience has shown that the formation of linguistic states has actually made the country more united and made administration easier.
Language Policy
The Constitution did not give the status of national language to any one language. Hindi was identified as the official language. Besides Hindi, there are 21 other languages recognised as Scheduled Languages by the Constitution. States also have their own official languages. Much of government work takes place in the official language of the concerned state.
According to the original constitution, the use of English for official purposes was to stop in 1965, but it was later decided to continue the use of English alongside Hindi for official purposes.
Centre–State Relations
Restructuring of the Centre–State relationship has been another important factor for the success of federalism in India. For a long time, the same party ruled both at the Centre and in most states. But after 1990, the era of coalition politics began. No single party won a clear majority in the Lok Sabha, making it necessary for national parties to form alliances with regional parties. This gave state parties significant influence in the national government and resulted in a new culture of power sharing and respect for the autonomy of state governments.
Decentralisation
Decentralisation is the process of taking power from the central and state governments and giving it to local governments. It helps inculcate a habit and culture of democratic participation at the grassroots level.
1992 Constitutional Amendment
A major step towards decentralisation was taken in 1992. Key features:
- It is now constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies.
- Seats are reserved in elected bodies and the executive heads of these bodies for SCs, STs and OBCs.
- At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women.
- An independent institution — the State Election Commission — is created to conduct Panchayat and Municipal elections in each state.
- The State Governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies. The nature of sharing varies from state to state.
Rural Local Government: Panchayati Raj
The local government structure in rural areas has three levels:
- Gram Panchayat — a council with several ward members (panch) and a president (sarpanch), covering a village or group of villages.
- Panchayat Samiti / Block Samiti / Mandal — a few gram panchayats grouped together at the block or taluk level.
- Zila Parishad — all the panchayat samitis in a district come under the district level council.
Urban Local Government
Towns are governed by Municipalities, while big cities have Municipal Corporations. Both are headed by elected bodies — the Municipal Council (headed by a chairperson) and the Municipal Corporation (headed by a Mayor).
Solved Questions
Q1. What is federalism? What are its key features?
Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units. Its key features include: two or more levels of government, constitutionally guaranteed jurisdictions for each level, independent sources of revenue, an independent judiciary to resolve disputes, and requirements of mutual consent for amending fundamental provisions.
Q2. What are the two types of federations? How do they differ?
"Coming together" federation: independent states unite on their own to form a bigger unit (e.g., USA, Switzerland). Constituent states are strong and have equal powers. "Holding together" federation: a large country divides its power between constituent states and the national government (e.g., India, Belgium). The central government is usually more powerful and constituent units may have unequal powers.
Q3. Explain the three-list system in India.
The Indian Constitution divides legislative powers into three lists: Union List (national subjects — only the Centre can legislate), State List (state subjects — only state governments can legislate), and Concurrent List (shared subjects — both can legislate; in case of conflict, the Centre's law prevails). Residuary subjects not in any list fall under the Centre's jurisdiction.
Q4. What is decentralisation? Why is it important?
Decentralisation means taking power from central and state governments and giving it to local governments. It is important because it allows people to participate in democratic decision-making at the grassroots level, local governments are better placed to understand and solve local problems, and it ensures representation of weaker sections through reservations.
Q5. How did the 1992 constitutional amendment strengthen decentralisation?
The 1992 amendment made it mandatory to hold regular elections to local bodies, created the State Election Commission to conduct these elections, reserved seats for SCs, STs, OBCs and women (at least one-third for women), and required state governments to share power and revenue with local bodies.
Q6. Why were linguistic states created in India?
Linguistic states were created so that people who spoke the same language lived in the same state, making administration easier and more effective. Although this was considered risky at the time, it actually made the country more united and did not lead to disintegration, as many had feared.
Q7. What is the language policy of the Indian Government?
The Constitution identified Hindi as the official language but did not declare it the national language. Besides Hindi, 21 other languages are recognised as Scheduled Languages. States have their own official languages. English continues to be used for official purposes alongside Hindi.
Practice Questions
- What is the distinguishing feature of a federal government?
- Group the following subjects under Union, State and Concurrent Lists: Defence, Police, Agriculture, Education, Banking, Forests, Communications, Trade, Marriages.
- What are the major powers of the Supreme Court in a federation?
- Differentiate between the objectives of central and state governments in a federal system.
- What is Panchayati Raj? Describe its three-tier structure.
- How are local bodies organised in cities?
- What made India's federalism successful despite its diversity?
- Why did coalition politics at the Centre help strengthen federalism in India after 1990