MCQs – Class 10 Civics Chapter 2: Federalism | CBSE | GPN

🧠 Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) - Chapter 2: Federalism

This set of 30 questions tests your understanding of federalism in India and the world. It includes standard, assertion-reasoning, and case-based questions as per the CBSE syllabus.

Standard MCQs (1 Mark Each)

Choose the single correct option for questions 1 to 15.

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

(a) USA

(b) Australia

(c) India

(d) Switzerland

Answer: (c) India
Explanation: In a ‘holding together’ federation, a large country decides to divide its power between the central government and the states. India, Spain, and Belgium are examples.
The subjects like Defence, Foreign Affairs, Banking, etc., are included in:

(a) State List

(b) Union List

(c) Concurrent List

(d) Residuary List

Answer: (b) Union List
Explanation: The Union List includes subjects of national importance like defense, foreign affairs, banking, and currency, on which only the central government can make laws.
In India’s federal system, the residuary powers are vested with:

(a) State government

(b) Central government

(c) Both central and state governments

(d) Local government

Answer: (b) Central government
Explanation: Residuary powers refer to subjects not mentioned in any of the three lists. The Constitution of India assigns these powers to the Union Government (Parliament).
Which one of the following is not a feature of federalism?

(a) Two or more levels of government

(b) Different tiers of government govern the same citizens

(c) The jurisdiction of each tier is specified in the constitution

(d) The central government can order the state government

Answer: (d) The central government can order the state government
Explanation: In a true federal system, state governments are not subordinate to the central government. Both derive their powers independently from the constitution. Option (d) describes a unitary feature.
The system of Panchayati Raj involves:

(a) Villages, blocks, and districts

(b) Villages and states

(c) Blocks and districts only

(d) Districts and states

Answer: (a) Villages, blocks, and districts
Explanation: Panchayati Raj is a three-tier system of rural local self-government in India: Gram Panchayat (village level), Panchayat Samiti (block level), and Zila Parishad (district level).
When was the Constitution amended to make the third-tier of democracy (local government) more powerful and effective?

(a) 1990

(b) 1992

(c) 1993

(d) 1995

Answer: (b) 1992
Explanation: The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts were passed in 1992 to give constitutional status and strengthen the rural and urban local governments, respectively.
Which of the following is not an example of a unitary state?

(a) United Kingdom

(b) France

(c) Sri Lanka

(d) Belgium

Answer: (d) Belgium
Explanation: Belgium is a federal state. The United Kingdom, France, and Sri Lanka have unitary systems where the central government holds primary power.
The Union List, State List, and Concurrent List are features of the Indian Constitution related to:

(a) Separation of Powers

(b) Federal Division of Power

(c) Fundamental Rights

(d) Parliamentary System

Answer: (b) Federal Division of Power
Explanation: The three lists clearly demarcate the legislative powers of the Union and the States, which is a key feature of India's federal structure.
Which language is recognized as the official language by the Constitution of India?

(a) Hindi

(b) English

(c) Hindi in Devanagari script

(d) 22 languages are recognized as Scheduled Languages

Answer: (c) Hindi in Devanagari script
Explanation: The Constitution declares Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of the Union. English is used for official purposes. 22 languages are scheduled but not all are official languages of the Union.
Which of the following subjects is included in the Concurrent List?

(a) Defence

(b) Agriculture

(c) Education

(d) Police

Answer: (c) Education
Explanation: Subjects like education, forests, marriage, adoption, and succession are in the Concurrent List, on which both the Union and State governments can make laws.
The ‘Coming Together’ federations are found in:

(a) India, Spain, Belgium

(b) USA, Switzerland, Australia

(c) UK, France, Japan

(d) China, Sri Lanka, Bangladesh

Answer: (b) USA, Switzerland, Australia
Explanation: In ‘coming together’ federations, independent states voluntarily come together to form a bigger union. The USA, Switzerland, and Australia are prime examples.
Which body conducts elections to the Panchayats and Municipalities?

(a) Election Commission of India

(b) State Election Commission

(c) Union Public Service Commission

(d) Chief Electoral Officer of the State

Answer: (b) State Election Commission
Explanation: The State Election Commission is an independent body in each state responsible for conducting elections to the local government bodies (Panchayats and Municipalities).
What is the main objective of the decentralization of power in India?

(a) To increase the power of the Central Government

(b) To ensure more participation of people at the grassroots level

(c) To reduce the number of states

(d) To abolish the Panchayati Raj system

Answer: (b) To ensure more participation of people at the grassroots level
Explanation: Decentralization aims to transfer power and responsibility from the central and state governments to local bodies, enabling direct public participation in decision-making.
Which of the following statements about the Indian Federation is true?

(a) It is based on the principle of strict separation of powers between Centre and States.

(b) The States have the right to secede from the Union.

(c) The Constitution clearly provides a three-fold distribution of legislative powers.

(d) The Central Government cannot interfere in state matters under any circumstances.

Answer: (c) The Constitution clearly provides a three-fold distribution of legislative powers.
Explanation: The Indian Constitution provides for a Union List, State List, and Concurrent List, defining the legislative domains of the Centre and States. Other options are incorrect features of Indian federalism.
What is the system of government in which power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units called?

(a) Unitarism

(b) Federalism

(c) Democracy

(d) Monarchism

Answer: (b) Federalism
Explanation: Federalism is a system of government where sovereignty is constitutionally divided between a central governing authority (union) and constituent political units (states/provinces).

Assertion-Reasoning Questions (1 Mark Each)

Directions: For questions 16 to 25, a statement of Assertion (A) is followed by a statement of Reason (R). Choose the correct option:

(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A

(b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A

(d) A is false but R is true

Assertion (A): India is a federal country.
Reason (R): The Constitution of India provides for a three-tier system of government.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: A defining feature of a federal country is multiple tiers of government. India has the Union, State, and Local governments, making it federal, as explained by R.
Assertion (A): The creation of linguistic states made the country more united.
Reason (R): It helped to accommodate regional diversities and strengthened national integration.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: By respecting linguistic and cultural identities through state boundaries, India reduced separatist tendencies and fostered a sense of belonging, thus promoting unity, as R states.
Assertion (A): The Indian Union is based on the principles of federalism.
Reason (R): In India, the Central Government can dismiss a State Government in certain situations.
Answer: (b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
Explanation: India is indeed a federation (A). Article 356 (President's Rule) allows the Centre to dismiss a state government (R). However, this is a unitary feature within a federal system, not the principle that makes it federal.
Assertion (A): The Constitution of India declares Hindi as the national language.
Reason (R): India has only one language that is spoken by the majority of its population.
Answer: (d) A is false but R is true
Explanation: The assertion is false. The Indian Constitution does not declare any language as the 'national language'. Hindi is an official language. The reason is true, as Hindi is spoken by a large plurality, but not an absolute majority.
Assertion (A): The Zila Parishad is the apex body of the Panchayati Raj system.
Reason (R): It makes developmental plans at the district level and controls the finances of the lower tiers.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: The Zila Parishad (District Council) is the highest tier of rural local government. Its key functions, as described in R, are planning and coordination, which define its apex role.
Assertion (A): Belgium shifted from a unitary to a federal form of government.
Reason (R): The tensions between the Dutch and French-speaking communities led to this change.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: To manage the conflict between linguistic communities and hold the country together, Belgium reformed its constitution to adopt a federal system, as R explains.
Assertion (A): The judiciary plays a crucial role in the functioning of a federal system.
Reason (R): It interprets the constitution and settles disputes between the Centre and the States.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: An independent judiciary is the guardian of the constitution in a federation. By interpreting the division of powers and resolving disputes (as in R), it ensures the federal balance is maintained.
Assertion (A): The 73rd Amendment Act is a landmark in the history of decentralization.
Reason (R): It provided for 1/3rd reservation of seats for women in local government bodies.
Answer: (b) Both A and R are true but R is NOT the correct explanation of A
Explanation: Both statements are true. The 73rd Amendment was landmark because it gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions. While women's reservation is a key feature, it is not the sole or primary reason for its landmark status; the constitutional mandate itself is.
Assertion (A): In India, some states like Jammu & Kashmir used to enjoy a special status.
Reason (R): The Constitution of India is rigid and cannot be amended to change the status of states.
Answer: (c) A is true but R is false
Explanation: Jammu & Kashmir did have special autonomy under Article 370 (now revoked). The reason is false because the Indian Constitution has a flexible amendment process, and the status of states can be changed.
Assertion (A): Coalition governments have led to a new culture of power sharing in India.
Reason (R): They have reduced the dominance of the Central Government over the States.
Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A
Explanation: The era of coalition governments (since the 1990s) forced the Centre to consult and negotiate with regional parties, which often represented state interests. This shifted power towards states, creating a new culture of shared governance.

Case-Based Questions (1 Mark Each)

For questions 26 to 30, read the case/source carefully and answer.

Case: "The Indian Constitution was originally not very clear regarding the status of local governments. They were dependent on state governments for their powers and funds."
What fundamental change did the 73rd and 74th Amendments bring about?

(a) They abolished local governments.

(b) They gave constitutional status and protection to local governments, making them mandatory.

(c) They transferred all powers from the Centre to local bodies.

(d) They made local governments answerable only to the Central Government.

Answer: (b) They gave constitutional status and protection to local governments, making them mandatory.
Explanation: Before 1992, local bodies were at the mercy of state legislatures. The amendments added a new part (IX and IX-A) to the Constitution, making it mandatory for states to establish and empower them.
Case: Study the data on language diversity in India:

Category Details

Scheduled Languages 22 Languages

Other Popular Languages Over 100

Mother Tongues Recorded More than 1600

What does this linguistic diversity imply for the federal structure of India?

(a) It makes a unitary system essential.

(b) It necessitates a flexible and accommodating federal system to respect regional identities.

(c) It proves that only one language should be promoted.

(d) It has no impact on the political system.

Answer: (b) It necessitates a flexible and accommodating federal system to respect regional identities.
Explanation: Such immense diversity cannot be governed by a rigid, top-down unitary system. Federalism allows different linguistic groups to have autonomy in their states while being part of the Union.
Case: "The sharing of power between the Union Government and the State Governments is basic to the structure of the Constitution. The Parliament cannot on its own change this arrangement."
What does this statement highlight about India's federalism?

(a) The power-sharing arrangement is not important.

(b) The federal provisions are embedded in the constitution and require the consent of the states to be amended.

(c) The Parliament has absolute power to alter state boundaries anytime.

(d) The states have the right to secede.

Answer: (b) The federal provisions are embedded in the constitution and require the consent of the states to be amended.
Explanation: Key federal features of the Constitution (like the division of powers) are part of the 'basic structure'. Changing them requires not just a parliamentary majority but also ratification by a majority of state legislatures, protecting states' rights.
Case: Read about the 'Union Territories': "India has, besides states, some units called Union Territories. Unlike states, they are administered directly by the Central Government."
Why were Union Territories created?

(a) Because they are too large to be states.

(b) Due to factors like small size, strategic importance, or distinct cultural identity making full statehood impractical initially.

(c) To give them more power than states.

(d) Because they demanded independence.

Answer: (b) Due to factors like small size, strategic importance, or distinct cultural identity making full statehood impractical initially.
Explanation: Union Territories like Chandigarh (shared capital), Lakshadweep (small islands), or Delhi (national capital) have unique administrative needs or strategic locations that warranted direct central administration. Some, like Delhi and Puducherry, now have legislatures.
Case: "In a federation, both the levels of government enjoy their power independent of the other. The Constitution guarantees this autonomy."
Which of the following is a mechanism that protects the autonomy of states in India?

(a) All India Services officers are appointed by the Centre but serve under the states.

(b) The Rajya Sabha represents the states of the Indian Union.

(c) The Parliament can make laws on State List subjects during an emergency.

(d) The Governor of a state is appointed by the President.

Answer: (b) The Rajya Sabha represents the states of the Indian Union.
Explanation: The Rajya Sabha (Council of States) is composed of representatives elected by state legislatures. This gives states a direct voice in the central law-making process, protecting their interests and autonomy.

Category	Details
Scheduled Languages	22 Languages
Other Popular Languages	Over 100
Mother Tongues Recorded	More than 1600

📝 Strategic Practice Guide

Attempt blind: Solve all questions first without any help to assess your current level.

Solution analysis: Compare each answer with the provided explanation to understand the logic.

Concept bridging: Link every mistake back to the specific paragraph or concept in the textbook.

Timed run: In later attempts, complete the set within 25 minutes to improve speed and accuracy.

Spaced revision: Re-attempt the full chapter MCQs after a week to move knowledge from short-term to long-term memory.

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