Class 10 Federalism Mock Test (CBSE)

Topics in Federalism

• What federalism is
• What makes India a federal country
• Linguistic states
• Language policy
• Centre-state relations
• Decentralisation in India

Federalism practice questions with answers

1. Q1Multiple choice·1 mark
   Which of the following countries is a classic example of a 'holding together' federation?

   1. (a)USA
   2. (b)Switzerland
   3. (c)Australia
   4. (d)India
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (d) India+1

   Answer: (d)
2. Q2Multiple choice·1 mark
   Suppose a regional political party in a State demands that residuary subjects (such as cyber laws and information technology) should be permanently vested with all State governments rather than the Union government to ensure greater autonomy. According to the constitutional distribution of legislative powers in India, how are residuary subjects handled?

   1. (a)The Union Parliament has the power to make laws on these subjects.
   2. (b)They fall under the Concurrent List, so both levels can make laws.
   3. (c)They fall under the State List, like police, trade and agriculture.
   4. (d)Parliament may legislate on them once half the State Legislatures agree.
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (a) The Union Parliament has the power to make laws on these subjects. Residuary subjects, which fall in none of the Union, State or Concurrent Lists (such as computer software), come under the Union government.+1

   Answer: (a)
3. Q3Multiple choice·1 mark
   How many languages in total are recognized as Scheduled Languages by the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution?

   1. (a)20
   2. (b)21
   3. (c)22
   4. (d)25
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (c) 22+1

   Answer: (c)
4. Q4Multiple choice·1 mark
   In a hypothetical province modeled after India's post-1992 local self-government system, a State government delays conducting elections to rural local bodies (Panchayats) after their five-year term ends and withholds funds arbitrarily. Which key feature of the 1992 constitutional amendment makes such a delay unconstitutional?

   1. (a)Regular local body elections and a State Finance Commission are mandatory.
   2. (b)Panchayat elections must be held by the Election Commission of India itself.
   3. (c)Local government was moved from the State List to the Union List for control.
   4. (d)President's Rule is imposed on a State that delays its panchayat elections.
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Correct option: (a) Regular local body elections and a State Finance Commission are mandatory. The 1992 amendment made regular elections to local bodies constitutionally compulsory, set up a State Election Commission to hold them, and required State governments to share powers and revenue with them.+1

   Answer: (a)
5. Q5Short answer·2 marks
   Explain how India's language policy avoided the linguistic conflicts that occurred in nations like Sri Lanka.
   Show answer and step marks

   1. First point, any one of: No language was given the status of national language; Hindi was identified as the official language, but besides Hindi, 21 other languages are recognised as Scheduled Languages (22 in all); States have their own official languages and much government work is done in the language of the State; the Centre did not impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking States, and English continued to be used along with Hindi for official purposes even after 1965; a candidate in a Central Government examination may write in any of the Scheduled Languages; or any other valid point.+1
   2. Second point, a different one from the same list.+1

   Answer: Any two of: No language was given the status of national language; Hindi was identified as the official language, but besides Hindi, 21 other languages are recognised as Scheduled Languages (22 in all); States have their own official languages and much government work is done in the language of the State; the Centre did not impose Hindi on non-Hindi-speaking States, and English continued to be used along with Hindi for official purposes even after 1965; a candidate in a Central Government examination may write in any of the Scheduled Languages; or any other valid point. So no language was imposed on non-Hindi speakers, unlike the imposition of Sinhala in Sri Lanka.
6. Q6Short answer·2 marks
   Explain any two provisions of the constitutional amendment of 1992 that made decentralisation in India more effective.
   Show answer and step marks

   1. Provision 1, any one of: it is constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies; seats are reserved in the elected bodies and executive heads for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes; at least one-third of all positions are reserved for women; an independent State Election Commission conducts panchayat and municipal elections; State governments must share some powers and revenue with local bodies; or any other valid provision of the amendment.+1
   2. Provision 2, a different one from the same list.+1

   Answer: Any two of: regular elections to local bodies are constitutionally mandatory; seats are reserved for SCs, STs and OBCs; at least one-third of positions are reserved for women; a State Election Commission conducts the elections; States must share powers and revenue with local bodies.

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