Chapter 2: Federalism

Important questions — the ones the board asked most (20)

1. Q1Case-based4 marksAsked: 2025

   Read the given source and answer the questions given below it: Decentralisation in India The need for decentralisation was also recognised in our constitution. Since then several attempts have been made to decentralise power at the village and town level. Village panchayats were set up in villages and municipalities in towns, in all the states. But they were kept under the direct control of state governments. Elections to these local governments were not held regularly either. They had neither any resources of their own nor any powers. Thus, effective power decentralisation did not really take place. A major step towards true decentralisation was taken in 1992. The Constitution was amended to make this third-tier of democracy more powerful and effective. (35.1) At how many levels has power been decentralised in the Indian constitution? (35.2) Explain the role of local self-government in solving problems. (35.3) "The establishment of local governments is the best way to make the democratic principle of self-government a reality." Explain this statement.

   

   Medha Ma’am

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   Model answer · decentralisation, local self-government

   1. 1.In the Indian Constitution, power has been decentralised at three levels. These three levels are the Central government, the State governments and the local self-government, which consists of panchayats in villages and municipalities in towns.1 mark
   2. 2.Local self-government solves problems effectively because people have better knowledge of problems in their localities. They also have better ideas on where to spend money and how to manage things more efficiently, so local government is the best way to settle a large number of problems and issues that are best settled at the local level.1 mark
   3. 3.Local self-government gives people the opportunity to participate directly in decision making at the local level. This helps to inculcate a habit of democratic participation, so that problems are resolved in a democratic manner.1 mark
   4. 4.The establishment of local governments is the best way to realise the important principle of democracy, namely local self-government, because it ensures that every village or town has its own elected government. This local government body itself decides on the problems and issues of that village or town, thus making the democratic principle of self-rule a reality.1 mark

   • State clearly the three levels: Central government, State governments and local self-government.
   • Use the exact phrase 'local self-government' and link it to 'direct participation' and 'democratic participation' for points 2 and 3.
   • For point 4, explicitly connect 'elected government' at village/town level with 'democratic principle of self-rule' being made 'real'.

   Marks split from a structure derived from past papers (checked twice); not CBSE’s official scheme

2. Q2Case-based4 marksAsked: 2025

   Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : State Reorganisation Commission “The report of the States Reorganisation Commission (SRC), was implemented on November 1, 1956. This, in its own time and own way, has also transformed the political and institutional life of the nation. ... Gandhi and other leaders promised their followers that when freedom came, the new nation would be based on a new set of provinces, these based on the principle of language. However, when India was finally free in 1947, it was also divided... Far from undermining Indian unity, linguistic states have helped strengthen it. It has proved to be perfectly consistent to be Kannadiga and Indian, Bengali and Indian, Tamil and Indian, Gujarati and Indian. To be sure, these states based on language sometimes quarrel with one another. (36.1) What promise did Gandhiji make to his followers ? (36.2) How did language strengthen the unity of India ? (36.3) Mention the names of major language of Kerala and Andhra Pradesh states.

   

   Medha Ma’am

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   Model answer · linguistic states, national unity

   1. 1.Gandhiji and other leaders promised their followers that when freedom came, the new nation would be based on a new set of provinces, and these provinces would be based on the principle of language.1 mark
   2. 2.Language strengthened the unity of India because the experience has shown that the formation of linguistic States has actually made the country more united, and it has also made administration easier. It has proved to be perfectly consistent to be Kannadiga and Indian, Bengali and Indian, Tamil and Indian, Gujarati and Indian. This shows that far from undermining Indian unity, linguistic states have helped strengthen it, as people are able to maintain their regional identity along with their Indian identity.2 marks
   3. 3.The major language of Kerala is Malayalam and the major language of Andhra Pradesh is Telugu.1 mark

   • Write the exact phrase 'based on the principle of language' when stating Gandhiji's promise.
   • Use the example phrase 'Kannadiga and Indian, Bengali and Indian, Tamil and Indian, Gujarati and Indian' to show how regional and national identity coexist.
   • Clearly name Malayalam for Kerala and Telugu for Andhra Pradesh.

   Marks split from a structure derived from past papers (checked twice); not CBSE’s official scheme

3. Q3Case-based4 marksAsked: 2024

   Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow : LOCAL GOVERNMENT This new system of local government is the largest experiment in democracy conducted anywhere in the world. There are now about 36 lakh elected representatives in the panchayats and municipalities etc., all over the country. This number is bigger than the population of many countries in the world. Constitutional status for local government has helped to deepen democracy in our country. It has also increased women's representation and voice in our democracy. At the same time, there are many difficulties. While elections are held regularly and enthusiastically, gram sabhas are not held regularly. Most state governments have not transferred significant powers to the local governments. Nor have they given adequate resources. We are thus still a long way from realising the ideal of self-government. 36.1 Analyse the significance of the elected representatives in the Panchayats. 36.2 In what way has the representation of women in democracy influenced by Constitutional status for local government ? 36.3 What has been the impact of granting Constitutional status to local government on the democratic landscape of the country ? Analyse any two impacts.

   

   Medha Ma’am

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   Hear it from Medha Ma’am · 190 s

   Model answer · impact of local government reform

   1. 1.The elected representatives in the Panchayats are significant because this new system of local government is the largest experiment in democracy conducted anywhere in the world. There are now about 36 lakh elected representatives in the panchayats and municipalities etc., all over the country, and this number is bigger than the population of many countries in the world. This shows the huge scale at which ordinary people have been brought into the democratic process through local government.1 mark
   2. 2.Constitutional status for local government has increased women's representation and voice in our democracy. At least one-third of all positions in the elected bodies and executive heads of these institutions are reserved for women. This reservation of seats has ensured that women get elected to the panchayats and municipalities in large numbers, thereby strengthening their participation and voice in our democracy.1 mark
   3. 3.Constitutional status for local government has helped to deepen democracy in our country. By making it constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies and by creating an independent State Election Commission in each State to conduct panchayat and municipal elections, the roots of democracy have become stronger at the grassroots level.1 mark
   4. 4.Constitutional status for local government has made democracy more inclusive by increasing people's participation in governance at the local level. Seats are reserved in the elected bodies for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes along with women, and local governments were given some powers and revenue to be shared by State governments, enabling local self-government and direct participation of people in decision making.1 mark

   • State the number '36 lakh elected representatives' explicitly and call it the 'largest experiment in democracy'.
   • Mention 'at least one-third of all positions are reserved for women' when explaining women's representation.
   • For the two impacts, use the exact phrases 'deepen democracy' and 'increasing people's participation in governance' or reservation of seats for SC/ST/OBC.

   Marks split from a structure derived from past papers (checked twice); not CBSE’s official scheme

4. Q4Case-based4 marksAsked: 2025

   Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : An Experiment in Brazil [passage] (35.1) Explain the meaning of 'participative democracy'. (35.2) In terms of the sharing of powers, what kind of governance system does the given example define ? (35.3) Describe the formation of a system in India that is quite similar to the Brazil example given above.

   How the model answer begins

   1. (35.1) Participative democracy means that ordinary citizens directly and actively take part in the decision making of their government, especially on budgets and matters that concern them. In Porto Alegre, local…

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5. Q5Case-based4 marksAsked: 2025

   Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : An Experiment in Brazil [passage] (34.1) Explain the meaning of 'participatory democracy'. 1 (34.2) In the context of separation of powers, the given example defines which type of government ? 1 (34.3) Describe the structure of the system in India which is almost similar to the above example of Brazil. 2

   How the model answer begins

   1. (34.1) Participatory democracy means that ordinary citizens are directly involved in government decision-making. In Porto Alegre in Brazil, local inhabitants take real decisions for their city. Anyone living in a ward…

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6. Q6Case-based4 marksAsked: 2025

   Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : Decentralisation in India [passage] (36.1) At how many levels has decentralisation of power been done in the Indian Constitution ? 1 (36.2) Explain the role of local self-government in solving problems. 1 (36.3) "Local government is the best way to realise one important principle of democracy, namely local self-government." Explain the statement. 2

   How the model answer begins

   1. Decentralisation of power in the Indian Constitution has been done at three levels: the Central government, the State governments and the local government. The local government is both rural (panchayats in villages) and…

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7. Q7Case-based4 marksAsked: 2025

   Read the following source and answer the questions that follow : Local Self Government The local government structure goes right up to the district level. A few gram panchayats are grouped together to form what is usually called a panchayat samiti or block or mandal. The members of this representative body are elected by all the panchayat members in that area. All the panchayat samitis or mandals in a district together constitute the zilla (district) parishad. Most members of the zilla parishad are elected. Members of the Lok Sabha and MLAs of that district and some other officials of other district level bodies are also its members. Zilla parishad chairperson is the political head of the zilla parishad. Similarly, local government bodies exist for urban areas as well. Municipalities are set up in towns. Big cities are constituted into municipal corporations. Both municipalities and municipal corporations are controlled by elected bodies consisting of people's representatives. Municipal chairperson is the political head of the municipality. In a municipal corporation, such an officer is called the mayor. This new system of local government is the largest experiment in democracy conducted anywhere in the world. 36.1 Explain the relationship between gram panchayats and panchayat samitis. 36.2 How is the structure of municipal corporation different from municipality ? 36.3 How does the local government structure promote democracy ? Examine.

   How the model answer begins

   1. 36.1 A gram panchayat is the decision-making body of a village. A few gram panchayats are grouped together to form a panchayat samiti, which is also called a block or mandal. The members of the panchayat samiti are…

   The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
8. Q8Case-based4 marksAsked: 2025

   Read the following source and answer the questions that follow : [passage] 34.1 Explain the relationship between gram panchayats and panchayat samitis. 1 34.2 How is the structure of municipal corporation different from municipality ? 1 34.3 How does the local government structure promote democracy ? Examine. 2

   How the model answer begins

   1. 34.1 A panchayat samiti is formed from gram panchayats. A few gram panchayats are grouped together to form a panchayat samiti, also called a block or mandal. The members of this representative body are elected by all…

   The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
9. Q9Case-based4 marksAsked: 2025

   Read the given source and answer the questions that follow: State Reorganisation Commission The State Reorganisation Commission report was implemented on November 1, 1956. In its own time and in its own way, it changed the political and institutional life of the nation completely... Gandhiji and other leaders had promised their followers that once the country became independent, new provinces would be created in this new country and provinces would be reorganised on the basis of language. But when the country became independent in 1947, it was also partitioned... However, instead of weakening India's unity, the states formed on the basis of language have helped to strengthen its unity. A person can easily live with two identities like Kannada and Indian or Bengali and Indian or Tamil and Indian or Gujarati and Indian. (34.1) What promise did Gandhiji make to his followers? (34.2) How did language strengthen the unity of India? (34.3) Mention the name of the main language of Kerala and Andhra Pradesh states.

10. Q10Case-based4 marksAsked: 2024

    Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow : LOCAL GOVERNMENT [passage] 34.1 Analyse the importance of elected representatives in panchayats. 34.2 In what way has women's representation in democracy been influenced by the constitutional status of local government ? 34.3 What has been the impact of giving constitutional status to local government on the democratic landscape of the country ? Analyse any two effects.

    How the model answer begins

    1. 34.1 Elected representatives in panchayats are important because they take decisions related to village development, implement schemes and solve local problems. The gram panchayat is made up of ward members (panch) and…

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11. Q11Case-based4 marksAsked: 2024

    Read the following extract and answer the questions that follow : Linguistic diversity of India [passage] (36.1) How many languages were recorded as mother tongues in the 2011 Census of India ? 1 (36.2) How were the languages grouped together in the Census report ? 1 (36.3) How does the inclusion of languages in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution contribute to linguistic diversity ? Explain. 2

12. Q12Case-based4 marksAsked: 2024

    Read the following source and answer the questions that follow : Panchayati Raj [passage] (36.1) How does giving power to Panchayats relate to the vision of Mahatma Gandhi ? 1 (36.2) Explain the primary objective of giving power to the Panchayats. 1 (36.3) How does the establishment of Panchayati Raj contribute to democracy ? Explain. 2

    How the model answer begins

    1. (36.1) Giving power to Panchayats fulfils Mahatma Gandhi's dream that every village should have its own panchayat with significant powers. This means decentralisation of power, which is when power is taken away from…

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
13. Q13Case-based4 marksAsked: 2023

    Read the given extract and answer all questions : DECENTRALISATION IN INDIA [passage] (36.1) Explain Decentralization in democracy. (1) (36.2) Explain the importance of Local self Government in democracy. (1) (36.3) Describe any two steps taken by Indian government for decentralization. (1 x 2 = 2)

    How the model answer begins

    1. (36.1) When power is taken away from Central and State governments and given to local government, it is called decentralisation.

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14. Q14Case-based4 marksAsked: 2023

    34. Read the given extract and answer all questions : DECENTRALISATION IN INDIA When power is taken away from Central and State governments and given to local government, it is called decentralization. The basic idea behind decentralization is that there are a large number of problems and issues which are best settled at the local level. People have better knowledge of problems in their localities. They also have better ideas on where to spend money and how to manage things more efficiently. Besides, at the local level it is possible for the people to directly participate in decision making. This helps to inculcate a habit of democratic participation. Local government is the best way to realise one important principle of democracy, namely local self-government. The need for decentralisation was recognized in our Constitution. Since then, there have been several attempts to decentralize power to the level of villages and towns. Panchayats in villages and municipalities in urban areas were set up in all the States. But these were directly under the control of State Governments. Elections to these local governments were not held regularly. (34.1) Explain Decentralization in democracy. 1 (34.2) Explain the importance of Local self Government in democracy. 1 (34.3) Describe any two steps taken by Indian government for decentralization. 1 x 2 = 2

    How the model answer begins

    1. (34.1) When power is taken away from Central and State governments and given to local government, it is called decentralisation. In a democracy, this creates a third-tier of government, called local government, below…

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15. Q15Case-based4 marksAsked: 2023

    Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : Language Diversity of India [passage] (I) Explain the importance of language diversity in India. 1 (II) Differentiate between Scheduled and Non-Scheduled Languages. 1 (III) 'The fusion of languages has united the country into one cultural entity.' Explain the statement with an example. 2

    How the model answer begins

    1. (I) Language diversity matters in India because it shows the country's rich cultural heritage. India is perhaps the most diverse country in the world in terms of languages, and no one language is the mother tongue of…

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16. Q16Case-based4 marksAsked: 2023

    Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : DECENTRALISATION IN INDIA [passage] (36.1) Why is Indian decentralisation considered as the largest experiment in democracy ? 1 (36.2) Analyse how constitutional status for local government has helped to deepen democracy in India ? 1 (36.3) Explain any two steps taken by the Indian Government for decentralisation. 2

    How the model answer begins

    1. (36.1) Indian decentralisation is called the largest experiment in democracy conducted anywhere in the world because there are now about 36 lakh elected representatives in the panchayats and municipalities all over the…

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
17. Q17Case-based4 marksAsked: 2023

    Read the given source and answer the questions that follow : DECENTRALISATION IN INDIA This new system of local government is the largest experiment in democracy conducted anywhere in the world. There are now about 36 lakh elected representatives in the panchayats and municipalities etc., all over the country. This number is bigger then the population of many countries in the world. Constitutional status for local government has helped to deepen democracy in our country. It has also increased women's representation and voice in our democracy. At the same time, there are many difficulties. While elections are held regularly of Panchayats and people participate enthusiastically in it but meetings of gram sabhas are not held regularly. (35.1) Why is Indian decentralisation considered as the largest experiment in democracy ? (35.2) Analyse how constitutional status for local government has helped to deepen democracy in India ? (35.3) Explain any two steps taken by the Indian Government for decentralisation.

    How the model answer begins

    1. (35.1) Indian decentralisation is called the largest experiment in democracy because of its huge size. There are now about 36 lakh elected representatives in the panchayats and municipalities etc., all over the country.…

    The full answer from Medha Ma’am →
18. Q18Short answer3 marksAsked: 2026

    “The creation of linguistic states was the first and a major test for democratic politics in India.” Explain the statement.

    How the model answer begins

    1. After independence, the boundaries of several old States of India were changed in order to create new States. This was done to ensure that people who spoke the same language lived in the same State. This reorganization…

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19. Q19Short answer3 marksAsked: 2026

    "Constitutional provisions are necessary for the success of federalism." Explain the statement in the context of India.

    How the model answer begins

    1. In India, a clear division of powers between the Central and State governments is established through the Constitution, which contains three lists: the Union List, the State List and the Concurrent List. The Union List…

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20. Q20Short answer3 marksAsked: 2026

    Explain the main features of federalism.

    How the model answer begins

    1. Federalism is a system of government in which the power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units of the country. Its first feature is that there are two or more levels (or tiers) of…

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15 more questions of this chapter, each with its model answer, in the AskMedha app.

Objective questions with the board’s key (10)

1. 1. CBSE 2026

   Match Column I with Column II and choose the correct option : Column I (List) a. Union list b. State list c. Concurrent list d. Residuary subjects Column II (Subject) i. Police ii. Computer software iii. Adoption iv. Defence

   • (A) a-i, b-ii, c-iii, d-iv
   • (B) a-ii, b-iii, c-iv, d-i
   • (C) a-iv, b-i, c-iii, d-ii ✓
   • (D) a-iv, b-i, c-ii, d-iii

   Answer: (C)

2. 2. CBSE 2026

   Which one of the following countries is an example of a ‘coming together federation’ ?

   • (A) India
   • (B) Belgium
   • (C) Spain
   • (D) Australia ✓

   Answer: (D)

3. 3. CBSE 2026

   Read the given statements regarding urban local government and choose the correct option : I. Municipalities are formed in towns. II. Municipal Corporations are formed in big cities. III. The head of the Municipal Corporation is the head of the Block Samiti. IV. The official of the Municipal Corporation is called the Mayor.

   • (A) Only I, II and III are correct.
   • (B) Only I, II and IV are correct. ✓
   • (C) Only I, III and IV are correct.
   • (D) Only II, III and IV are correct.

   Answer: (B)

4. 4. CBSE 2026

   Read the statements given below with reference to the steps of decentralisation taken by India in the year 1992 and select the correct option: I. Compulsory regular elections to local government bodies II. Reservation of two-thirds seats for women III. Creation of State Election Commission IV. Reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Options :

   • (A) I, II and III are correct.
   • (B) I, III and IV are correct. ✓
   • (C) II, III and IV are correct.
   • (D) I, II and IV are correct.

   Answer: (B)

5. 5. CBSE 2026

   Look at the given picture carefully and identify the building. Note: The following question is only for visually impaired candidates in lieu of question number 21. Which of the following is a House of the Indian Parliament? (A) Legislative Council (B) Legislative Assembly (C) Rajya Sabha (D) Development Council

   • (A) Rashtrapati Bhavan
   • (B) Nirvachan Sadan
   • (C) Indian Parliament ✓
   • (D) Supreme Court of India

   Answer: (C)

6. 6. CBSE 2026

   Read the given statements regarding decentralisation in India and choose the correct option : i. Rural local government is known as Panchayati Raj. ii. Each village or group of villages have Gram Panchayat. iii. Panch and Sarpanch of villages are selected by Election Commission. iv. Panchayat works under the supervision of Gram Sabha. Options :

   • (A) only i, iii and iv are correct.
   • (B) only i, ii and iv are correct. ✓
   • (C) only ii, iii and iv are correct.
   • (D) only i, ii and iii are correct.

   Answer: (B)

7. 7. CBSE 2025

   Which of the following countries is an example of sharing of power between the national and state governments to account for internal diversity ?

   • (A) United States of America
   • (B) Australia
   • (C) Belgium ✓
   • (D) Switzerland

   Answer: (C)

8. 8. CBSE 2025

   Choose the correct option related to concurrent list of the Indian Constitution.

   • (A) Marriage, Currency, Commerce
   • (B) Defence, Banking, Education
   • (C) Agriculture, Trade, Irrigation
   • (D) Education, Forest, Marriage ✓

   Answer: (D)

9. 9. CBSE 2025

   Choose the correctly matched pair from the following : (Country) (System)

   • (A) Canada - Unitary
   • (B) Bolivia - Federal
   • (C) Australia - Unitary
   • (D) Spain - Federal ✓

   Answer: (D)

10. 10. CBSE 2025

    Which one of the following languages is included in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution ?

    • (A) Bhojpuri
    • (B) Magadhi
    • (C) Rajasthani
    • (D) Tamil ✓

    Answer: (D)

Questions parents and students ask

How many marks does "Federalism" carry in CBSE Class 10 Social Science?

In the CBSE papers of 2023–2026, this chapter carried about 5 marks and about 2 questions a year; by marks it ranks 9 in Social Science.

Which are the most important (VVI) questions of "Federalism"?

The 20 questions above are from the board’s real papers, each with the years it was asked; the most-asked come first with their full model answers. All 35 written questions of this chapter, with answers, are in the AskMedha app.

Do the answers follow the board’s marking scheme?

Yes. CBSE publishes its marking schemes; every model answer here is written point by point to the marks the board’s own scheme gives, and checked by a second, independent model.