Very Short Answer Questions (VSA) 1 Mark Question 1. Which state in India has its own Constitution? (2012) Answer: Jammu and Kashmir Question 2. What is Rural local self government popularly known as? (2013) Answer: Panchayati Raj Question 3. Which local body has a ‘Mayor’ as its head? (2014) Answer: Head of Municipal Corporation is a Mayor. Question 4. What other factors besides politics keep the federations united? (2015) Answer: Besides politics, other factors which keep the federations united are culture, ideology and history. Culture of trust, cooperation, mutual respect and restraint has also helped in the smooth functioning of nations. Question 5. What was the main objective of the Constitutional Amendment made in 1992 in India? (2015) Answer: The main objective of the Constitutional Amendment in 1992 was to strengthen the three-tier system of governance, i.e., make the Panchayati Raj Institution and the urban local bodies more powerful and effective. Question 6. What status has been given to the ‘Hindi’ language by the Constitution of India? (2013) Answer: Hindi has been given the status of ‘Official language’ by the Constitution of India. Question 7. Much of the official work in Indian States is done in which language? (2014) Answer: Much of the official work in Indian States is done in the official language of the concerned state. Question 8. What is Federalism? Answer: Federalism is a system of government in which the power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units of the country. This vertical division of power among different levels of governments is referred to as federalism. Federalism is one of the major forms of power-sharing in modem democracies. Question 9. Name the subject list from which both the Union and the State governments can make laws? (2017 D) Answer: Concurrent List Short Answer Questions (SA) 3 Marks Question 10. Explain the vertical division of power by giving examples from India. (2013) Answer: When power is shared among governments at different levels, i.e., the Union or the Central Government, the State Government and the Municipality and Panchayat at the lower level. This division of power involving higher and lower levels of government is called the vertical division of power. Vertical division of power in India: The Constitution declares India as a Union of States. Although the word ‘Federation’ is not used, the Indian Union is based on the principles of federation. The Constitution originally provided for a two-tier system of government, the Union Government or the Central Government representing Union of India and the State Governments. A third-tier of federation was added in the form of Panchayats and Municipalities. As in any federation, these different tiers enjoy separate jurisdiction. The Constitution provides for a three-fold distribution of legislative powers between the Union Government and State Government. It contains three lists:
Question 11. Why is decentralisation favoured in democracy? Identify any two reasons. (2014) Answer: Five advantages of decentralisation of power:
Question 12. India comes under which type of federation and why? (2014) Answer: India comes under ‘a holding together’ type federation. In this type of federation, a large country divides its power between the constituent States and the National government. There is one government for the entire country and the others are governments at the State level. Both Central and State Governments enjoy their power independent of the other. The Central government tends to be more powerful vis-a-vis the states. Often different constituent units of the federation have unequal powers. For example, special powers have been granted to Jammu & Kashmir. Question 13. State two agreements through which federations have been formed. Give an example of each. Answer: (i) ‘Coming together’ federations—This agreement induces independent states coming together on their own to form a bigger unit, so that by pooling sovereignty and retaining identity they can increase their security. Examples are: USA, Switzerland and Australia. All the constituent states have equal power and are strong vis-a-vis the federal government. (ii) ‘Holding together’ federations — In this agreement, a large country decides to divide its power between the constituent States and the national government. The Central Governments tend to be more powerful vis-a-vis the states. Often different constituent units of the federation have unequal powers. Some units are granted special powers, for example, India granted special powers to Jammu & Kashmir. Long Answer Questions (LA) Question 14. Which five provisions of the constitutional amendment of 1992 really strengthened the third tier of democracy in India? Explain. (2015, 2013, 2012) Answer: Major steps towards decentralisation and strengthening of third tier taken in 1992 were:
Question 15. Why has federalism succeeded in India? Which are the policies adopted by India that have ensured it? Explain. (2013, 2012) Answer: Reasons for success of federalism in India are:
Question 16. Explain any five features of federalism. (2015) Answer: Features of federalism:
Question 17. Describe the three forms of power sharing among different organs of government in India. (2014) Answer: The Constitution declared India as a Union of States based on the principles of federalism. The Constitution originally provided for a two-tier system of government, the Union or the Central Government representing Union of India and the State Governments. Later, a third tier was added in the form of Panchayats and Municipalities. As in any federation, these different tiers enjoyed separate jurisdiction. The Constitution provided a three-fold distribution of legislative powers:
Question 18. Describe in brief the language policy of India? Answer:
Question 19. What were the major steps taken to make decentralisation more effective? Or What amendments were made in the Constitution in order to make the third tier of democracy (Local Government) more powerful and effective? Answer: Major steps towards decentralisation taken in 1992 are:
Question 20. Explain the structure of the new Panchayati Raj institutions, both in rural and urban areas. Answer: Rural Local Government is known by the name of Panachayati Raj/ Democratic decentralization.
Urban areas local bodies.
Question 21. How is federal power sharing more effective today than in the early years? Explain. (2017 OD) Answer:
Social Science Class 10 Important Questions |