Class 11 Political Science - PUNJAB
Federalism
The chapter 'Federalism' in Class 11 Political Science explores the institutional design of power-sharing between the central government and state governments in India. Students will understand the key features of a federal system, why the makers of the Indian Constitution chose a quasi-federal model, and how the division of powers is managed through the Union, State, and Concurrent lists. The chapter highlights the dynamic nature of Centre-State relations, the role of the judiciary as an arbiter, and the importance of regional diversity within a strong nation. This is a high-scoring chapter for PSEB board exams.
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 through a written constitution.
Division of Powers
The constitutional distribution of legislative subjects into Union List, State List, and Concurrent List as per the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution.
Quasi-Federal
A term used by scholars like K.C. Wheare to describe the Indian Constitution, which is federal in structure but has a strong unitary bias, especially during emergencies.
Independent Judiciary
The Supreme Court acts as an impartial umpire to resolve disputes arising between the Centre and States regarding the division of powers.
President's Rule (Article 356)
A provision allowing the Centre to take over the administration of a state in case of the breakdown of constitutional machinery, often a point of Centre-State friction.
Important Formulas
Board Exam Info
In the Punjab School Education Board (PSEB) Class 11 Political Science examinations, this chapter typically carries around 6 to 8 marks. Questions usually include 1-mark objective/multiple-choice questions, 2-mark short answer questions, and a 4 or 6-mark long answer question detailing the key features of Indian federalism or Centre-State relations.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Indian federalism called 'quasi-federal'?
Because while it has dual government and a written constitution like a federation, it possesses strong unitary features like a single Constitution, single citizenship, an integrated judiciary, and emergency powers vested in the Centre.
What is the difference between the Union List and the State List?
The Union List contains subjects of national importance where only the Parliament legislates, whereas the State List contains local and regional subjects where state legislatures make laws.
What happens if there is a conflict between a Central law and a State law on a Concurrent List subject?
According to the Indian Constitution, the law made by the Parliament (Central law) generally prevails over the law made by the State Legislature in case of a direct conflict.
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