RBSE Class 11 Political Science Important Questions Chapter 7 Federalism

Rajasthan Board RBSE Class 11 Political Science Important Questions Chapter 7 Federalism Important Questions and Answers. 

RBSE Class 11 Political Science Important Questions Chapter 7 Federalism

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. 
Write down any one merit of Federal Government. 
Answer: 
The administrator of a federal type of state is always very efficient.

 

Question 2. 
Write down any one demerit of Federal Government. 
Answer: 
A Federal type of government is weak in the conduct of internal as well as external affairs.

Question 3. 
In which articles is it mentioned that India will be ‘Union of States’ ?
Answer: 
Article 1 of the Indian Constitution.

Question 4. 
Name the first country where federation was established.
Answer: 
United States of America.

Question 5. 
Mention the names of four countries where federation exists.
Answer: 
India, U.S.A., Switzerland and Canada.

Fill in the blank:

Question 6. 
There are 28 states and ........... union territories in India.
Answer: 
8 Correct and rewrite the sentence:

Question 7. 
Panchayat can make the law on concurrent list.
Answer:
Parliament and states legislature both can make law of concurrent list. Complete the sentence:

Question 8. 
Article 370 was abrogated on .
Answer: 
Article 370 was abrogated on 5-6 August 2019.

Question 9. 
Who said it: “The Constitution of India is Federal in form but unitary in spirit.”
Answer: 
D.N. Banerjee.

Multiple-Choice Questions

Choose the Correct Answers :
1. Which one of the following is not a feature of Indian federation ?
(a) Written Constitution
(b) Supremacy of the Constitution
(c) Distribution of Powers
(d) Dual Citizenship.
Answer: 
(d) Dual Citizenship.
 
2. Which one of the following articles declares India a ‘Union of States’ ?
(a) Article 1 
(b) ArticlelO
(c) Article 4 
(d) Article 2
Answer: 
(a) Article 1 

3. Union List includes :
(a) 66 Subjects 
(b) 47 Subjects
(c) 97 Subjects
(d) 98 Subjects
Answer: 
(c) 97 Subjects

4. State List includes :
(a) 66 Subjects 
(b) 47 Subjects
(c) 62 Subjects 
(d) 52 Subjects
Answer: 
(a) 66 Subjects 

5. Concurrent List includes :
(a) 52 Subjects 
(b) 47 Subjects
(c) 62 Subjects 
(d) 66 Subjects
Answer: 
(b) 47 Subjects

Very Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. 
What is federalism? 
Answer: 
Federal government is an agreement between the Centre and the states and the conditions of the agreement are written in the Constitution.

Question 2. 
Write four essential features of federation.
Answer: 

1. Written Constitution.
2. Supremacy of the Constitution.
3. Distribution of Powers between the Centre and the States.
4. Bicameral Legislature.

Question 3. 
Mention two features of Indian Federalism.
Answer: 

1. The Indian Constitution is a written and rigid one.
2. Powers between the Centre and the states have been divided by the Constitution.

Question 4. 
How many subjects are in the State list? Mention the names of two state subjects. 
Answer: 
There are 66 subjects in the State list. These subjects can be legislated upon by the states. Main state subjects are police, jails, law and order, agriculture, public health, etc. 

Question 5. 
How many subjects are in the Union List? Mention the name of two union subjects.
Answer: 
There are 97 subjects in Union list. Only the Union government can make laws on these subjects. The main subjects are Railways, Post and Telegraph, Coinage and Currency, Defence and Foreign Affairs, etc.

Question 6. 
Write two demerits of federal form of government.
Answer: 

1. Weak Government. A federal type of government is weak in the conduct of internal as well as external affairs.
2. Threat to National Unity. In a federation there is always a threat to national unity. People generally are more loyal to their units (Provinces) than to the country.

Short Answer Type Questions

Question 1. 
Define Federation. 
Answer: 

1. According to Hamilton, “Federation is an association of states that form new ones.”
2. According to Jellinek, “A federal state is a sovereign state formed out of several states.”
3. According to Montesquieu, “Federal government is a convention by which several similar states agree to become members of a large one.”

Question 2. 
Write four main differences between Indian Federation and American Federation.
Answer: 
Federal government has its origin in the U.S A. In India, federation was adopted after independence. Following are the main differences between Indian federation and American federation.

1. In the U.S.A., centre is the creation of states, whereas in India states are the creation of Centre.
2. In American Constitution, the word ‘federation’ is used, whereas in Article 1 India is described as Union of States.
3. Under American federation, more powers are given to states; but in India, centre is powerful.
4. In the U.S.A., residuary powers are with the states, whereas in India residuary powers are given to the centre.

Question 3. 
Write the distribution of powers in Indian Federalism.  
Answer: 
The Constitution of India very clearly distributes the power between the Centre and the states. There are three lists of powers between the Centre and the states, given in the Constitution:
1. The Union List. There are 97 subjects in the Union list. Only the Union government can make laws on these subjects. The main subjects are: Railways, Post and Telegraph, Coinage and Currency, Defence, and Foreign Affairs.

2. The State List. There are 66 subjects in this list. The state government can make laws on them. The main subjects are: law and order, police, agriculture, irrigation and public works.

3. The Concurrent List. There are 47 subjects in the Concurrent list. On these subjects both the Centre and the states can make laws. But if two laws are contradictory, the laws of the Centre will prevail.

4. Residuary Powers have been given to the centre by the Constitution.

Question 4. 
Why do we need a strong * Centre? Give reasons. 
Answer: 
1. Need for strong Centre to face the different problems of the country. When the Indian Constitution was being drafted, the country was facing many problems such as communal riots, Kashmir problem, problem of refugees, economic problems, etc. Only a strong Centre could solve all these problems. Hence, a strong Centre was established.

2. Strong Centre needed to face external aggression. Our founding fathers were aware of the fact that Pakistan may create problems by causing disturbances in the state if a weak Centre is established. It was felt that only a strong Centre can meet the external foes. The centre must be very powerful to meet any invasion successfully.

3. Responsibility of the Centre to defend and protect every part of the country. It is the responsibility of the Centre to defend and protect every part of India. To meet all these needs, it is essential that the Centre should be made very powerful.

4. Communalism. To curb communalism strong centre is needed.

Question 5. 
Why is India called a ‘Quasi Federal State’ ?
Answer: 
India, in reality, is neither a purely federal nor a purely unitary state. The Indian Constitution contains such provisions that provide it a federal form. For example, a written, rigid and supreme Constitution, dual administration, division of powers between the Centre and the States, the provision of the supreme and independent Judiciary and the existence of a bicameral Parliament make it a federal State, while the division of powers made in the favour of the Center, the power of the Parliament to legislate even on the subjects in State List, the appointment and dismissal of the Governors by the President, dependence of the States on the Centre, and the provision of imposing the President’s Rule in States are such provisions that give the Indian State a unitary nature. That is why India is called a ‘Quasi Federal State’.

Question 6. 
What is Cooperative Federalism?
Answer: 
Cooperative federalism is in which federal state and the local governments rule or act cooperatively and collectively to solve common problems. It is also known as marble-cake federalism. In it both Union and the States work together and contribute towards the growth of a strong federation. In their relationship no one is over or above the other rather they have horizontal relationship. Several other agencies like the ruler state councils, zonal- councils the 7th schedule etc. help in making stronger relationship between the two.

Question 7. 
What is Competitive Federalism?
Answer: 
Competitive federalism is a concept, where centre competes with states and vice-versa and states compete with each other in their joint efforts to develop India. In it the best performing states can take the maximum benefits of the resources services and taxes. In competitive federalism the relationship between the centre and state governments is vertical and between state governments is horizontal. It ensures a healthy competition among States leading towards better performance and administration and social infrastructure within the state.

Long Answer Type Questions 

Features of Indian Federal System

Question 1. 
What are the federal features of the Indian Constitution? Explain. 
Answer: 
The Constitution of India establishes a federal system of government in the country. But the federal 
system of government in India has come under severe criticism at so many hands. Many people are of the viewpoint that the Constitution of India is only federal in form but it is unitary in spirit. Dr. Basu is of the opinion that “The Constitution of India is neither purely federal, nor purely unitary, but is a combination of both.” Federal Features of the Indian Constitution. 

The following are the features of Indian federation:
1. Division of Powers. The Constitution of India has established two forms of government: Union government and state governments. The Constitution distributes powers between these two sets of governments. There are three lists of powers in the Constitution: 

1. Union list
2. State list and
3. Concurrent list. 

The Union list consists of 97 subjects. In the Union list, those subjects have been included on which the Central Parliament can pass laws or levy taxes, e.g., Defence, Atomic energy, Foreign affairs, etc. There are 66 subjects in the State list. In the State list, those subjects are included on which, normally, the state legislature can pass laws or levy taxes, e.g., police, jails, local government, agriculture, forests, public services of the states, revenue, income tax on agricultural income, professional tax, etc.

The Concurrent list consists of 47 subjects. The subjects included in the Concurrent list are criminal law, criminal procedure, marriage and divorce, etc. On these subjects both the Centre and the states can pass laws, but if there is a clash between a law of the Centre and that of the State or States, the latter will automatically be null and void to the extent that it comes into clash with the law of the Centre. The residuary powers have been given to the Centre by the Constitution.

2. Written Constitution. The Indian Con¬stitution is written and rigid. The Indian Constituent Assembly sat from 9 December 1946 to 26 November 1949 to frame the Constitution of India. Every Article of the Constitution was passed after due consideration. Indian Constitution consists of 395 Articles and 12 Schedules.

3. Rigid Constitution. The Constitution of India is also a rigid one. Some provisions of the Constitution can be amended by 
absolute majority and 2/3rd majority of the members present and voting in both the houses separately. But if the amendment is concerned with the articles mentioned in Article 368, the approval of 50% of the states will be required in addition to the above written process in the Parliament.

4. Supremacy of the Constitution. The Constitution in a federation is always kept supreme. The supremacy of the Constitution has been maintained in India too. The Central and the state
governments in India have to act in accordance with the Constitution as the latter is above the government. The power of judicial review is kept in order to maintain the sanctity and supremacy of the Constitution.

5. Supremacy of the Judiciary. In a federal system of government, the judiciary is given a special place. The Indian Constitution establishes a powerful and independent judiciary. It decides disputes between the Centre and the states. It interprets the Constitution as well. The interpretation of the Constitution given by the judiciary is considered the final and the most authentic. It can declare any law unconstitutional, if it is not in tune with the provisions of the Constitution.

6. Bicameral Legislature. Bicameral system of legislature is another important feature of a federal system of government. The Indian Parliament also consists of two chambers: the Lok Sabha and the Rajya Sabha. The Lok Sabha is the lower chamber and it represents the masses. The Rajya Sabha is the second chamber and represents the states. The Rajya Sabha is the permanent chamber and cannot be dissolved. The members to the Rajya Sabha are elected by the state legislatures. Each state elects a fixed number of members to the Rajya Sabha.

7. Dual Polity. India has two governments functioning at two different levels: the national or the federal government on one side and the government of each component state on the other. The state government draws its authority not from the federal government but from the Constitution of India, the same source from which the federal government draws its powers.

Question 2. 
Examine the Unitary tendencies in the Indian Federation
Answer: 
Though all the characteristic features of a federation are present in India, yet the word ‘Federation’ does not occur anywhere in the text of the Constitution of India. According to Art. 1 of the Constitution, “India shall be a Union of States”. According to K.M. Munshi, “India is not a federation but a union.” The trend towards unitary government is clear from the following factors: 1. Division of Powers in Favour of Centre.

The Indian Constitution has distributed the powers between the Centre and the states in such a way that Centre has become stronger than the states. The Central government gets the lion’s share of the powers. Most important and almost all important subjects have been included in the Union list. If there is a clash over a subject in the Concurrent list between the Centre and the states, the will of the Centre will prevail.

 
2. Encroachment over the State list by the Union Government. There are so many provisions in the Constitution with the help of which the Centre can interfere with the powers of the state and can exercise these powers. 

1. The Parliament by ordinary majority can change the names and boundaries of the states. It can create and abolish legislative councils in states. 
2. Rajya Sabha can transfer a state subject in favour of the Centre in the name of national interest. It is to pass such resolution by 2/3rd majority. Rajya Sabha is a part of the Centre.
3. The Central Executive can give directions to the state executive from time to time. The powers of the state executive can be used in this way by the Centre. 
4. The Parliament can make laws on any subject in order to enforce a treaty or an agreement entered into between India and any other foreign power.

3. Influence of the Union Executive over the State Executive. There are certain provisions in the Constitution with the help of which the union executive can exert a great degree of influence over the state executive.

4. No Separate Constitution of the States. In India, no other state has its own Constitution. Everything concerning the states’ administration has been mentioned in the Constitution of India. Dr. Ambedkar said, “The Constitution of the Union and the States is a single frame from which neither can get out and within which they must work.”

5. Change in the Boundaries of States. The Constitution of India empowers the Parliament to change the boundaries of the existing States or create new states or change the name of the States on the recommendation of the President.

6. Amendment in the Constitution. It is said that the Constitution of India is rigid but the State does not play an important role in the amendment of the Constitution. First, only a part of the Constitution is rigid and for making amendments in this part, the approval of half the states of India is required. While making amendments in other parts of the Constitution, the approval of the states is not at all required. Secondly, resolution regarding the amendment of the Constitution can only be initiated by the Parliament and not by the state.

7. Unequal Representation of the State in Rajya Sabha. An important feature of federalism is that the States should get equal representation in the Second Chamber of the legislature. In India, on the other hand, the States are represented in the Rajya Sabha not on the principle of equal representation but on the basis of population of every State. This is a fundamental departure from the federal principle.

8. Single Citizenship. Normally, there is double citizenship in a federation just like the U.S.A. But in India, there is single citizenship, i.e., all the citizens of all the States are equally good citizens of India. This factor also indicates the trend towards the unitary government.

9. Single Integrated Judicial System. The Constitution of India provides for a single integrated judicial system for the whole of India. The Supreme Court and the High Courts are links in the same chain. There are no two sets of laws but single civil and criminal code for the entire country. This is a clear violation of the federal principle.

10. Election Commission. In the whole of the country, there functions the same Election Commission, Finance Commission and the Comptroller and Auditor General. The States do not have their separate Election Commission and Comptroller and Auditor Generals.

11. All India Services. In the whole of India, the members of All India Services serve both in the States and the Centre.

12. Constitution does not mention the word federation. The Indian Constitution does not make use of the word ‘Federation’. It makes use of the word ‘Union’ in place of the word ‘federation’. Article 1 declares ‘India’, that is Bharat shall be a ‘Union of States’. The word ‘Federation’ points towards the autonomous status of the States but the word ‘Union’ does not lay stress upon the autonomous status of the States.

13. Unitary government in time of emergency. During emergency, the federal government can be changed into a unitary government. It is the President of India who proclaims emergency in the State and such an emergency order is to be approved by the Parliament. The States are not consulted in this case. When an emergency is declared because of external aggression, war, armed rebellion or a threat on any of them, the form of government will change from the federal to unitary which implies that the Centre will be empowered to exercise the legislative and executive powers of the States.

14. Overwhelming Financial Powers of the Union. The state is dependent on Union for financial aid as the financial resources of the states are limited. 15. States have no Right of Secession. Dr. B. R. Ambedkar said that ‘The Constitution of the Union and the states is a single frame from which neither can get out and within which they must work.” Real Position. The Indian Constitution has federal as well as unitary features. But the controversial point is whether Indian Constitution should be called federal or unitary. Mr. P.T. Chacko said, “What the Constitution would establish was in the form of a federation is a federal type of State in which the Central government has been given more powers. 

During emergency the Central government becomes more powerful. During peace time India is very much a federal State. Whatever powers have been granted to the States by the Constitution they can exercise it according to their own sweet will. The Centre cannot interfere in the working of the administration of the States. But if the constitutional machinery fails in a State, or there are internal riots in the State, or there is danger of an external aggression then the Central government takes away all the powers.” In the end, we can conclude that the Constitution establishes a federal type of government in India. But during emergency, it can be changed into a unitary type of State in order to face the crisis. Therefore, the Constitution of India is federal in form but unitary in spirit.

Question 3. 
Study the passage given below carefully and answer the questions that follow:
Answer: 
In the middle of the 1960s Congress dominance declined somewhat and in a large number of States opposition parties came to power. It resulted in demands for greater powers and greater autonomy to the States. In fact, these demands were a direct fallout of the fact that different parties were ruling at the centre and in many States. So, the State governments were protesting against what they saw as unnecessary interference in their governments by the Congress government at the centre. The Congress too, was not very comfortable with the idea of dealing with governments led by opposition parties. This peculiar political context gave birth to a discussion about the concept of autonomy under a federal system.

However, since the 1990s, Congress dominance has largely ended and we have entered an era of coalition politics especially at the centre. In the States too, different parties, both national and regional, have come to power. This has resulted in a greater say for the States, a respect for diversity and the beginning of a more mature federalism. Thus, it is in the second phase that the issue of autonomy became very potent politically.

1. When did Congress dominance decline?
2. What was the demand of opposition parties?
3. When did Congress dominance largely end?

Answer: 

1. In the middle of the 1960s Congress dominance declined.
2. Opposition parties demanded more autonomy for states.
3. Congress dominance largely ended in 1990s.

Question 4. 
Study the picture given below and answrer the following questions:

1. What type of demand started after independence?
2. When was state Reorganisation Commission established?

Flood of demands for creating New States
Answer: 

1. Demand for new states started after independence.
2. State Reorganisation Commission was established in 1953.

Question 5. 
Read the following passage carefully and answer the questions that follow:
There are three lists of powers in the Constitution: 

1. Union list
2. State list, and 
3. Concurrent list.

The Union list consists of 97 subjects. In the Union list, those subjects have been included on which the Central Parliament can pass laws or levy taxes, e.g., Defence, Atomic energy, Foreign affairs, etc. There are 66 subjects in the State list. In the State list, those subjects are included on which, normally, the state legislature can pass laws or levy taxes, e.g., police, jails, local government, agriculture, forests, public services of the states, revenue, income-tax on agricultural income, professional tax, etc. The Concurrent list consists of 47 subjects.

5.1. How many list of powers are there in Indian Constitution?
(a) One 
(b) Two
(c) Three 
(d) Four
Answer: 
(c) Three 

5.2. How many subjects are there is Union List?
(a) 97 
(6)66
(c) 47 
(d) 42
Answer: 
(a) 97 

5.3, How many subjects are there in state list?
(a) 97 
(b) 66
(c) 47
(d) 42
Answer: 
(b) 66

5.4. How many subjects list? are there in concurrent
(a) 97 
(b)66
(c) 47 
(d) 42
Answer: 
(c) 47 

HOTS QUESTIONS  

Question 1. 
Indian Constitution is a written Constitution. Discuss.
Answer: 
The Indian Constitution is written and rigid. The Indian Constituent Assembly sat from 9 December 1946 to 26 November 1949 to frame the Constitution of India. Every Article of the Constitution was passed after due consideration. The Indian Constitution consists of 395 Articles and 12 Schedules.

Question 2. 
Indian Constitution is a Rigid Constitution. Discuss.
Answer: 
The Constitution of India is also a rigid one. Some provisions of the Constitution can be amended by absolute majority and 2/3rd majority of the members present and voting in both the houses separately. But if the amendment is concerned with the articles mentioned in Article 368, the approval of 50% of the states will be required in addition to the above written process in the Parliament.
 
Question 3. 
Indian Constitution is Supreme. Discuss.
Answer: The Constitution in a federation is always kept supreme. The supremacy of the Constitution has been maintained in India too. The Central and the state governments in India have to act in accordance with Constitution as the latter is above the government. The power of judicial review is kept in order to maintain the sanctity and supremacy of the Constitution.

Question 4. 
Indian Judiciary is supreme. Discuss.
Answer: 
In a federal system of government, the judiciary is given a special place. The Indian Constitution establishes a powerful and independent judiciary. It decides disputes between the Centre and the states. It interprets the Constitution as well. The interpretation of the Constitution given by the judiciary is considered the final and the most authentic. It can declare any law unconstitutional if it is not in tune with the provisions of the Constitution. 

SELF-EVALUATION TEST

1. Write down any one merit of Federal Government. 
2. Write down any one demerit of Federal Government. 
3. Name the first country where federation was established. 
4. Complete the sentence: Article 370 was abrogated on. 
5. What is federalism? 
6. Mention two features of Indian federalism. 
7. How many subjects are there in the Union List? Name two union subjects. 
8. How many subjects are in the state list? Names of two state subjects. 
9. Why is India cafled a Quasi’ Federal state? 
10. Write a note on Cooperative federalism. 
11. Write a note on competitive federalism. 
12. Why we need a strong centre? Give reasons. 
13. Study the passage given below carefully and answer the question that follow: 

In the middle of the 1960€ Congress dominance declined somewhat and in a large number of States opposition parties came to power. It resulted in demands for greater powers and greater autonomy to the States. In fact, these demands were a direct fallout ai the fact that different parties were ruling at the centre and in many States. So, the State  governments were protesting against what they saw as unnecessary interference in their governments by the Congress government at the centre.

The Congress too was not very comfortable with the idea of dealing with governments led by opposition parties. This peculiar political context gave birth to a discussion about the concept of autonomy under a federal system. Finally, since the 1990s. Congress dominance has largely ended and we have entered an em of coalition politics especially at the centre. In the States too, different parties, both national and regional, have come to power. This has resulted in a greater say  for the States, a respect for diversity and the beginning of a more mature federalism. Thus, it is in the second phase that the issuse of autonomy became very potent politically. 

• When did Congress dominance decline?
• What was the demand of opposition parties?
• When did Congress dominance largely end?

14. What are the federal features of the Indian Constitution? Explain. 
15. Examine the Unitary tendencies in the Indian Federation. 
16. Write four main differences between Indian Federation and American Federation.