Class 10 Social Science - WEST-BENGAL
Political Science: Federalism
The Chapter 'Federalism' in Class 10 Political Science under WBBSE explores the sharing of power between different levels of government, primarily the Central Government and State Governments. Students learn about the key features of federalism, the difference between unitary and federal systems, and how federalism is practiced in India through constitutional provisions. It also highlights the significance of decentralization and local self-government bodies like Panchayats and Municipalities. This chapter is vital for WBBSE board exams as it tests constitutional understanding, frequently appearing in both short-answer and long-answer descriptive questions.
Start Learning FreeKey Concepts
Federalism
A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units, such as states or provinces.
Unitary System
A political system where either there is only one level of government or the sub-units are subordinate to the central government.
Union List, State List, and Concurrent List
The constitutional distribution of legislative subjects between the Union and State governments, along with subjects where both can legislate.
Linguistic States
The creation of states in India based on common languages to ensure that people speaking the same language live in the same state, strengthening national unity.
Decentralization
The transfer of power from central and state governments to local government bodies, making grassroots democracy a reality in India.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the West Bengal Board of Secondary Education (WBBSE) Class 10 History and Political Science paper, this chapter typically carries around 6 to 8 marks. Questions often include Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs), Very Short Answer Questions (VSAQs), and 4-mark or 5-mark descriptive questions on the features of Indian federalism or local self-government.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the main difference between a federal system and a unitary system?
In a federal system, power is divided between the central government and state governments constitutionally, whereas in a unitary system, all power rests with the central government.
What happens if there is a conflict between Union List and State List laws on a Concurrent List subject?
According to the Indian Constitution, if there is a conflict, the law made by the Union Parliament will prevail over the law made by the State Legislature.
Why was decentralization important for India?
Decentralization is important because many problems and issues can be best settled at the local level where people have better knowledge and direct stake in problem-solving.
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