Federalism - Q&A
Exercises1. Locate the following States on a blank outline political map of India: Manipur, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh and Goa.
(Note: As I cannot draw on a map, here are the location descriptions)
Manipur: A state in northeastern India, bordered by Nagaland to the north, Mizoram to the south, Assam to the west, and Myanmar to the east.
Sikkim: A state in the Himalayas, bordered by Nepal to the west, Bhutan to the east, and Tibet (China) to the north. It sits above West Bengal.
Chhattisgarh: A state in central India, carved out of Madhya Pradesh. It is long and vertical, bordered by MP, Maharashtra, Telangana, Odisha, Jharkhand, and UP.
Goa: A small state on the western coast of India, bordered by Maharashtra to the north and Karnataka to the east and south, with the Arabian Sea to the west.
2. Identify and shade three federal countries (other than India) on a blank outline political map of the world.
Three examples of federal countries other than India are:
1. United States of America (North America)
2. Canada (North America)
3. Brazil (South America)
(Other valid examples include Australia, Russia, Germany, Nigeria, etc.)
3. Point out one feature in the practice of federalism in India that is similar to and one feature that is different from that of Belgium.
Similarity: Both India and Belgium use a "holding together" type of federalism (though Belgium evolved into it). [cite_start]In both cases, the central government shares power with state/regional governments, and these regional governments have constitutional existence and powers[cite: 398, 401, 531].
[cite_start]Difference: Belgium has a unique third level of government called "Community Government" based on language (Dutch, French, German) irrespective of location[cite: 399]. [cite_start]India has a third tier based on geography (Panchayats and Municipalities), not specific linguistic communities[cite: 504, 505].
4. What is the main difference between a federal form of government and a unitary one? Explain with an example.
Federal Government: Power is divided between a central authority and constituent units. [cite_start]The central government cannot order the state government to do something, and state governments have powers of their own for which they are not answerable to the centre[cite: 405, 444, 445].
Example: India or USA.
Unitary Government: There is only one level of government, or sub-units are subordinate to the central government. [cite_start]The central government can pass on orders to the provincial or local government[cite: 442, 443].
Example: Sri Lanka or China.
5. State any two differences between the local government before and after the Constitutional amendment in 1992.
1. Elections:
[cite_start]Before 1992: Elections to local governments were not held regularly[cite: 834].
[cite_start]After 1992: It is constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies[cite: 838].
2. Powers and Resources:
[cite_start]Before 1992: Local governments did not have any powers or resources of their own[cite: 835].
[cite_start]After 1992: State governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies[cite: 842].
6. Fill in the blanks:
Since the United States is a coming together type of federation, all the constituent States have equal powers and States are strong vis-à-vis the federal government. But India is a holding together type of federation and some States have more power than others. [cite_start]In India, the Central government has more powers. [cite: 465, 466, 471, 472]
7. Here are three reactions to the language policy followed in India. Give an argument and an example to support any of these positions.
Sangeeta: The policy of accommodation has strengthened national unity.
Arman: Language-based States have divided us by making everyone conscious of their language.
Harish: This policy has only helped to consolidate the dominance of English over all other languages.
I support Sangeeta's position: "The policy of accommodation has strengthened national unity."
Argument: By accommodating different languages and not imposing a single national language, India reduced the fear of cultural domination. [cite_start]This flexibility allowed diverse groups to feel part of the nation, preventing the disintegration that many feared[cite: 710, 711].
[cite_start]Example: The formation of linguistic states (like Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra) and the flexibility to use English along with Hindi for official purposes (resolving the anti-Hindi agitation in Tamil Nadu) helped eliminate deep divisions and made the country more united[cite: 711, 722].
8. The distinguishing feature of a federal government is:
(a) National government gives some powers to the provincial governments.
(b) Power is distributed among the legislature, executive and judiciary.
(c) Elected officials exercise supreme power in the government.
(d) Governmental power is divided between different levels of government.
Answer: (d) Governmental power is divided between different levels of government.
[cite_start]Explanation: Federalism is defined as a system where power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units[cite: 405].
9. A few subjects in various Lists of the Indian Constitution are given here. Group them under the Union, State and Concurrent Lists as provided in the table below.
A. Defence; B. Police; C. Agriculture; D. Education; E. Banking; F. Forests; G. Communications; H. Trade; I. Marriages
| Union List | State List | Concurrent List |
|---|---|---|
|
[cite_start]Defence [cite: 508] [cite_start]Banking [cite: 508] [cite_start]Communications [cite: 508] |
[cite_start]Police [cite: 511] [cite_start]Agriculture [cite: 511] [cite_start]Trade [cite: 511] |
[cite_start]Education [cite: 515] [cite_start]Forests [cite: 515] [cite_start]Marriages [cite: 515] |
10. Examine the following pairs that give the level of government in India and the powers of the government at that level to make laws on the subjects mentioned against each. Which of the following pairs is not correctly matched?
| (a) State government | State List |
| (b) Central government | Union List |
| (c) Central and State governments | Concurrent List |
| (d) Local governments | Residuary powers |
Answer: (d) Local governments — Residuary powers
Explanation: This is incorrect. [cite_start]According to the Constitution, the Union Government has the power to legislate on 'residuary' subjects (subjects not in any list, like computer software)[cite: 519].
11. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below the lists:
| List I | List II |
| 1. Union of India | A. Prime Minister |
| 2. State | B. Sarpanch |
| 3. Municipal Corporation | C. Governor |
| 4. Gram Panchayat | D. Mayor |
(a) D, A, B, C
(b) B, C, D, A
(c) A, C, D, B
(d) C, D, A, B
Answer: (c) A, C, D, B
Explanation:
1. Union of India -> Prime Minister (Head of Government)
2. State -> Governor (Head of State)
3. [cite_start]Municipal Corporation -> Mayor (Political Head) [cite: 861]
4. [cite_start]Gram Panchayat -> Sarpanch (President) [cite: 846]
12. Consider the following two statements.
A. In a federation, the powers of the federal and provincial governments are clearly demarcated.
B. India is a federation because the powers of the Union and State Governments are specified in the Constitution and they have exclusive jurisdiction on their respective subjects.
C. Sri Lanka is a federation because the country is divided into provinces.
D. India is no longer a federation because some powers of the States have been devolved to the local government bodies.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
(a) A, B and C
(b) A, C and D
(c) A and B only
(d) B and C only
Answer: (c) A and B only
Explanation:
- [cite_start]Statement A is correct (Feature of federalism)[cite: 449, 455].
- [cite_start]Statement B is correct (India has Union, State, and Concurrent lists)[cite: 506, 507].
- [cite_start]Statement C is incorrect (Sri Lanka is a unitary system)[cite: 403].
- [cite_start]Statement D is incorrect (Decentralization is a third tier added to the federation, it does not stop it from being a federation)[cite: 824].