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Class 11 Political Science Chapter 7 Federalism Solution
Section-A Indian Constitution
Selected Questions & Answers
A. Very Short Answer Type Questions: (Marks for each – 1)
1. How many states are there in the Indian Union?
Ans: States: 28. Union Territories: 8. Total administrative units in the Indian Union: 36.
2. Is the word “Federation” mentioned in the Constitution of India?
Ans: No. In the Constitution, India is described as a “Union of States.”
3. If there is a conflict between a State law and a Central law, which law prevails?
Ans: Central law.
4. How many subjects are included in the Concurrent List?
Ans: 52.
5. How many subjects are included in the State List?
Ans: 66.
6. Under which list can both the Central Government and the State Governments make laws?
Ans: The Concurrent List.
7. In the Indian federation, who holds the residuary powers?
Ans: The Central Government.
8. Which Article of the Indian Constitution declares India as a ‘Union of States’?
Ans: Article 1.
9. “The Constitution of India is a mixture of federal and unitary features.” Who said this?
Ans: D. D. Basu.
10. Mention one subject that is not included in the Union List.
Ans: Forest.
11. Who is the guardian of the Indian federation?
Ans: The Supreme Court.
12. How many lists are there in the Indian Constitution for the division of powers between the Centre and the States?
Ans: Three lists.
13. Under which list of the Indian Constitution does education fall?
Ans: The Concurrent List.
14. Name the only state in India that had a separate Constitution.
Ans: Jammu and Kashmir.
Note: The special constitutional status of Jammu and Kashmir under Article 370 was revoked in 2019, and it no longer has a separate Constitution.
15. “A federation is a political system in which national unity and power are maintained while protecting the rights of the states.” Who said this?
Ans: A. V. Dicey.
16. “India is a federation with a strong centralizing tendency.” Who said this?
Ans: Ivor Jennings.
B. Short Questions and Answers: (Marks for each – 2)
1. Mention two federal features of India.
Ans: Two federal features of India are:
(a) India has two types of government, namely the Central Government and the State Governments.
(b) India has a written Constitution for governing the country.
2. Write the names of two subjects included in the Concurrent List.
Ans: Two subjects included in the Concurrent List are:
(a) Education, and (b) Newspapers.
3. Write the names of two subjects included in the State List.
Ans: Two subjects included in the State List are:
(a) Agriculture, and
(b) Public health.
4. Write the names of two subjects included in the Union List.
Ans: Two subjects included in the Union List are:
(a) Defence, and
(b) Currency.
5. Mention two non-federal (unitary) features of the Indian Constitution.
Ans: Two non-federal features of the Indian Constitution are:
(a) Single citizenship.
(b) Dominance of the Central Government.
C. Medium Answer Type Questions: (Marks for each – 4)
1. Write a short note on the Concurrent List.
Ans: The Concurrent List is one of the lists through which powers are divided between the Central Government and the State Governments in India. Both the Central and the State Governments can make laws on the subjects included in this list. However, if there is a conflict between laws made by the two governments, the law made by the Central Government prevails. At present, this list contains 52 subjects. Some subjects included in the Concurrent List are criminal law, economic and social planning, labour welfare, education, newspapers, books and printing presses, price control, marriage and divorce, registration of births and deaths, and stamp duties.
2. In what circumstances can the Central Legislature make laws on subjects included in the State List?
Ans: Although the power to make laws on subjects included in the StateList is given to the State Governments, in certain situations, the Central Legislature can also legislate on these subjects. Such situations include:
(a) When two or more State Legislatures request Parliament to make law on a subject included in the State List.
(b) During a national emergency, or when the Rajya Sabha passes a resolution supported by two-thirds of the members present and voting declaring a State List subject to be of national importance, the Central Legislature can make laws on that subject.
3. Mention four reasons for conflicts between the Central Government and the State Governments.
Ans: Four reasons for conflicts between the Central and the State Governments are:
(a) Conflict may arise if the Central Government interferes in the law and order system of a state, because maintaining law and order is primarily the responsibility of the State Government.
(b) Conflict may occur when President’s Rule is imposed in a state, and the State Government is dismissed.
(c) The Constitution provides the Central Government with greater sources of revenue compared to the states. When State Governments face financial difficulties in carrying out development activities, conflicts may arise between the Centre and the states.
(d) Another reason for conflict is that residuary powers are vested in the Central Government rather than the State Governments.
D. Essay Type Questions & Answers: (Marks for each – 6)
1. What is meant by Federation? Is India a federation? Discuss the main features of a federation.
Ans: Although different scholars have given different definitions of federation, according to Professor K. C. Wheare, “In a federal system, the powers of government are divided between the central government of the whole country and the governments of the constituent units in such a way that each government is legally independent within its own sphere.” Although some features of federalism exist in the Indian democratic system, India cannot be regarded as a completely federal state in the strict sense. The main features of a federation are discussed below:
(a) Two Types of Government: In a federal system, there are two levels of government, namely the Central Government and the State Governments. In such a system, the central government and the state governments function within their respective spheres of authority. India also has these two types of government.
(b) Division of Powers on a Constitutional Basis: In a federal system, powers are divided between the centre and the states. Each government enjoys independence within its prescribed sphere of authority. If any dispute arises between the centre and the states regarding the distribution of powers, the judiciary settles the dispute according to constitutional provisions.
(c) Written Constitution: Another feature of a federation is that it has a written constitution. The constitution defines the powers and functions of the central and state governments and determines their respective spheres of authority.
(d) Bicameral Central Legislature: In a federation, there is usually a bicameral legislature. One chamber is known as the Upper House and the other as the Lower House. The Lower House represents the people, while the Upper House represents the states. Generally, the Lower House is more powerful.
(e) Federal Judiciary: In a federation, there is a supreme judicial authority that acts as the guardian of the constitution. The judiciary interprets the constitution and settles disputes between the centre and the states.
(f) Dual Citizenship: Another feature of a federation is dual citizenship. Citizens are citizens of the whole country as well as of the state in which they reside. Although India is often described as a federation, it does not have a system of dual citizenship.
(g) State Constitutions: Another feature of a federation is that, in addition to the national constitution, the constituent states may have their own constitutions. Although India is often called a federation, its states do not have the power to frame their own constitutions.
2. Discuss the non-federal (unitary) features of India.
Ans: Although India possesses many federal features, it also has certain characteristics that make it unitary in nature. These are discussed below:
(a) Absence of Dual Citizenship: Unlike many federations, India does not have dual citizenship. Citizens have only one identity, that is, they are citizens of India.
(b) Appointment of Governors: According to the Constitution, the President of India appoints the Governors of the states. The Governors function as representatives of the Central Government. In a true federation, the heads of state are generally elected by the people of the state.
(c) Unequal Representation in the Upper House: In a true federation, all states usually have equal representation in the Upper House. However, in India, representation in the Rajya Sabha is based largely on population; states do not have equal representation.
(d) Emergency Provisions: During a national emergency, India can function like a unitary state. In such situations, the administration of the states may come largely under the control of the Central Government.
(e) Strong Central Government: The Constitution of India makes the Central Government more powerful than the State Governments. Residuary powers are vested in the Central Government instead of the State Governments.
(f) Power to Alter State Boundaries: In a true federation, the central authority usually cannot alter the boundaries or names of states unilaterally. However, in India, Parliament has the power to change the names, boundaries, or territories of states.
3. Discuss the merits and demerits of a federal system.
Ans: A federation is a system of government in which there are two levels of government, namely the Central Government and the State Governments. Both governments function independently within their constitutional spheres. The merits and demerits of a federal system are discussed below.
Merits of a Federation:
(a) In a federation, smaller states unite to form a larger and stronger political unit.
(b) A federal system is suitable for large countries. In nations where people of different languages, religions, and cultures live together, a federal system is more appropriate.
(c) Federal government promotes decentralization of power. As a result, more people get the opportunity to participate in governance and the citizens become politically aware.
(d) Since powers are divided between the central and state governments, the chances of the central government becoming autocratic are reduced.
Demerits of a Federation:
(a) Maintaining national unity in a federation may sometimes be difficult because states may not always accept the control of the central authority.
(b) In times of emergency, a federal system may not be able to take quick decisions, which can delay action.
(c) A federal government is often expensive because two levels of government have to be maintained.
(d) Conflicts between the central and state governments are more likely to occur in a federal system.
4. Present arguments in favour of a strong Central Government in India.
Ans: The framers of the Indian Constitution favored the establishment of a strong Central Government in India. The following arguments support this view:
(a) India is a country inhabited by people of different races, tribes, languages, religions, and cultures. A strong Central Government is necessary to maintain unity and integrity among such diverse groups.
(b) In the past, the absence of a strong central authority contributed to the country falling under foreign rule. To prevent such dangers in the future, the framers of the Constitution supported a strong central government.
(c) The presence of separatist forces that may threaten the unity and integrity of the country made it necessary for the Constitution makers to strengthen the Central Government.
(d) In the modern era, a strong Central Government is also required to deal effectively with international political situations and global challenges.
