Class 10 Social Science - ODISHA
Political Science: Federalism
The chapter 'Federalism' in Class 10 Political Science explores the system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units like states. For BSE Odisha students, this chapter is crucial as it explains how India's Constitution creates a multi-tiered government, balancing national unity with regional diversity. You will learn about the key features of federalism, the division of legislative powers through Union, State, and Concurrent lists, how federalism is actually practiced in India through linguistic states and language policy, and the importance of decentralization with a special focus on the Panchayati Raj system in rural areas.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Federalism
A system of government in which 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, unlike federalism.
Union List
Subjects of national importance like defense, foreign affairs, and banking that are legislated exclusively by the Union Parliament.
State List
Subjects of state and local importance like police, trade, commerce, and agriculture on which only state governments can make laws.
Concurrent List
Subjects of common interest to both the Union and State governments, such as education, forest, and marriage, where both can make laws.
Decentralization
When power is taken away from central and state governments and given to local government, forming the third tier of Indian democracy.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Odisha BSE Class 10 Social Science board examination, this chapter typically carries around 4 to 6 marks. Questions usually include objective-type multiple-choice questions (MCQs), short-answer questions differentiating between federal and unitary systems or Union and State lists, and long-answer questions explaining the features of Indian federalism or the working of local self-government.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the difference between a federal form of government and a unitary form of government?
In a federal system, power is divided between the central government and state governments, and the central government cannot order state governments to do certain things. In a unitary system, there is only one level of government, or the central government holds all supreme power and can pass orders to local units.
Why did India adopt a federal system of government?
India is a vast country with immense linguistic, cultural, and geographical diversity. A federal system ensures unity of the country while accommodating regional diversity by giving power to state and local governments.
What is the significance of the 1992 Constitutional Amendment in Indian federalism?
The 1992 amendment made the third tier of democracy (local government) more powerful and effective by making regular elections mandatory, reserving seats for SCs, STs, and women, and creating State Election Commissions to conduct panchayat and municipal elections.
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