Class 10 Social Science - CBSE
Political Science: Federalism
Federalism is a crucial chapter in Class 10 CBSE Political Science that explores how power is shared between the central government and state governments. Students learn about the key features of federalism, the distinction between federal and unitary systems, and the specific Indian model of federalism. The chapter highlights the division of powers through the Union List, State List, and Concurrent List, and examines how linguistic states, language policy, and Centre-State relations have shaped Indian democracy. This chapter is vital for board exams as it tests both conceptual understanding and knowledge of India's constitutional framework through direct and case-based questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Federalism
A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units of the country, usually having two or more levels of government.
Unitary System
A system where either there is only one level of government or the sub-units are subordinate to the central government, which holds all the real power.
Union, State, and Concurrent Lists
The constitutional division of legislative subjects: Union List covers subjects of national importance, State List covers state-level matters, and Concurrent List includes subjects of common interest to both.
Linguistic States
The creation of new states in India based on the spoken language of the people to ensure that people who spoke the same language lived in the same state, making the country more united and administration easier.
Decentralization in India
The practice of taking power away from central and state governments and giving it to local government bodies ( Panchayats and Municipalities) to address local problems directly.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In CBSE Class 10 Political Science, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Questions commonly appear as 1-mark MCQs, 3-mark short answer questions on the features of federalism or the three lists, and 5-mark long answer questions focusing on decentralization, local self-government, or how federalism is practiced in India.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between federal and unitary systems of government?
In a federal system, power is shared between the central government and state governments with constitutional guarantees, whereas in a unitary system, all power rests with the central government, which may delegate power to lower levels.
What happens if there is a conflict between a central law and a state law on a subject in the Concurrent List?
According to the Indian Constitution, if there is any conflict between the laws made by the central and state governments on a subject in the Concurrent List, the law made by the Union Parliament will prevail.
Why was the constitutional amendment of 1992 important for Indian federalism?
The 1992 constitutional amendment made the third tier of local government (Panchayati Raj and Municipalities) more powerful and effective by making regular elections mandatory, reserving seats for women and backward classes, and creating State Election Commissions.
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