NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 7: Federalism
India is a nation of extraordinary diversity — in language, culture, geography, and religion. Managing such diversity while keeping the nation united requires a special form of government called federalism. Chapter 7 of Class 11 Political Science (Indian Constitution at Work), titled "Federalism," explains how India divides power between the Union (Central Government) and the States. This chapter is essential for CBSE Class 11 students from every region of India — from the North-East states to the Southern states, from Himalayan states like Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand to coastal states like Goa and Kerala. Myclass24's NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Political Science (Civics) for Chapter 7 provide in-depth explanations of the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List, the role of the Governor, Centre-State relations, and whether India is truly federal or quasi-federal. These solutions are structured to help students answer both conceptual and application-based questions in their CBSE exams with confidence.
Download PDF: NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 7 – Federalism
Myclass24 offers a free downloadable PDF of NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 7. It includes answers to all NCERT textbook questions, a comparison of federal and unitary features of India, and tables on the three legislative lists. Download and use it for exam preparation.
Chapter 7 – Federalism: Key Concepts, Facts & Explanation
Chapter 7 is one of the most intellectually rich chapters in the Class 11 Political Science syllabus. It deals with the concept of federalism and how it is applied in the Indian context.
Federalism is a system of government where power is divided between a central (national) authority and regional (state) authorities, both operating independently within their own spheres. Countries like the USA, Australia, Canada, and Germany follow federal systems. India's Constitution does not use the word "federal," but it creates a federal structure with some unitary features — often described as "quasi-federal" or "federal with a strong unitary bias" (K.C. Wheare).
The Indian Constitution divides legislative powers between the Centre and States through three lists in the Seventh Schedule. The Union List (List I) has 97 subjects on which only Parliament can make laws (e.g., defence, foreign affairs, banking). The State List (List II) has 66 subjects on which only State Legislatures can make laws (e.g., police, public health, agriculture). The Concurrent List (List III) has 47 subjects on which both Parliament and State Legislatures can make laws (e.g., education, forests, marriages). In case of conflict between Centre and State laws on Concurrent List subjects, the Central law prevails (Article 254). Residuary Powers (subjects not in any list) vest with the Centre (Article 248).
India's federal features include: written Constitution, division of powers, independent judiciary, bicameral Parliament, and supremacy of the Constitution. India's unitary features include: a single citizenship, single integrated judiciary, all-India services (IAS, IPS), power of Parliament to form or alter state boundaries (Article 3), and emergency provisions that temporarily convert India into a unitary state.
Three Legislative Lists – Seventh Schedule
| List | Subjects | Examples | Who Legislates |
| Union List (I) | 97 subjects | Defence, Foreign Affairs, Railways, Banking | Parliament only |
| State List (II) | 66 subjects | Police, Agriculture, Public Health, Land | State Legislature only |
| Concurrent List (III) | 47 subjects | Education, Forests, Marriage, Labour Laws | Both; Centre prevails in conflict |
Federal vs Unitary Features of India
| Federal Features | Unitary Features |
| Written Constitution | Single Citizenship |
| Division of Powers (Three Lists) | Single Integrated Judiciary |
| Independent Judiciary | All-India Services (IAS/IPS) |
| Bicameral Parliament | Parliament can alter State boundaries (Art. 3) |
| Supremacy of Constitution | Emergency provisions suspend federalism |
Federalism in India is a nuanced and debated topic. Understanding why India is called "quasi-federal," how the three lists work, and what Centre-State relations look like in practice is essential for scoring high in Class 11 Political Science. Myclass24 NCERT Solutions present all this with clarity and precision.
NCERT Solutions for Class 11 Political Science (Civics) Chapter 7 Federalism
Federalism is a system of government in which powers are divided between the central government and state governments. India adopted federalism to manage its vast geographical size, cultural diversity, and regional differences effectively. The Constitution clearly distributes responsibilities through the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List. This arrangement allows both levels of government to function independently in their respective areas while working together on matters of common interest. Federalism promotes regional autonomy, encourages local participation in governance, and strengthens national unity by accommodating diversity within a single constitutional framework.
The Indian Constitution divides powers through three legislative lists. The Union List includes subjects of national importance such as defence, foreign affairs, and currency. The State List contains matters like police, public health, and agriculture, which are primarily managed by state governments. The Concurrent List includes subjects such as education and forests, where both the Union and States can make laws. In case of conflict on Concurrent List matters, Union laws generally prevail. This distribution ensures efficient administration and helps maintain a balance between national interests and regional needs.
India is often called a federal system with a strong centre because although powers are shared between the Union and States, the Constitution grants significant authority to the central government. The Union can exercise greater powers during emergencies, controls important national subjects, and plays a major role in financial distribution. Certain constitutional provisions also allow the Centre to coordinate national policies effectively. These features were included to maintain unity and stability in a diverse country. At the same time, states retain substantial powers in local governance, making India a unique and flexible federal democracy.