Class 10 Social Science - BIHAR
Political Science: Federalism
The Class 10 Political Science chapter 'Federalism' explores how power is shared vertically between different levels of government in India. Students learn about the core features of federalism, the division of powers through the Union, State, and Concurrent Lists, and how the linguistic states and language policy have strengthened Indian federal democracy. Special focus is given to decentralization and local self-government institutions like Panchayati Raj, established by the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments. This chapter is extremely important for the Bihar Board (BSEB) examinations, as it frequently features in both objective and long-answer questions about Indian polity.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Federalism
A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units (like states) of the country.
Union List, State List, and Concurrent List
Constitutional lists that divide subjects of legislation; Union List is for national subjects (defense), State List for regional subjects (police), and Concurrent List for subjects of joint concern (education).
Linguistic States
The redrawing of state boundaries on the basis of language in India to ensure that people who spoke the same language lived in the same state, which actually made the country more united.
Center-State Relations
The constitutional arrangements and political dynamics that govern how the Central government and State governments interact and share power.
Decentralization
When power is taken away from central and state governments and given to local government bodies, leading to the creation of the three-tier governance system in India.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Bihar Board (BSEB) Class 10 Social Science examination, Federalism typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Questions usually include multiple-choice questions (MCQs) regarding subjects in different lists, short-answer questions explaining features of federalism, and long-answer questions detailing the importance of local self-government or decentralization.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a unitary system and a federal system?
In a unitary system, either there is only one level of government or the sub-units are subordinate to the central government. In a federal system, power is constitutionally divided between the central government and the provincial or state governments, and neither level can arbitrarily override the other.
Which level of government has the power to make laws on residuary subjects in India?
The Union Parliament has the power to legislate on residuary subjects—those subjects that do not fall under the Union, State, or Concurrent Lists, such as cyber security and information technology.
Why was decentralization necessary in India?
India is a vast country that cannot be managed effectively only from New Delhi or state capitals. Decentralization helps local people solve their problems locally, encourages direct participation in decision-making, and strengthens democracy at the grassroots level.
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