Federalism MCQs Class 10

Federalism MCQs Class 10. Best 100 MCQs. Overview of Federalism (MCQ 1 to 17). Key Features of Federalism (MCQ 18 to 40). Federalism in India (MCQ 41 to 65). How Federalism is Practiced in India (MCQ 66 to 82). Decentralization in India (MCQ 83 to 100).

Overview of Federalism

Definition of Federalism

Question 1: Which of the following best describes federalism?

A. A system where all power is concentrated in the central government

B. A system where power is divided between a central authority and constituent units

C. A system where local governments have complete autonomy

D. A system where there is no central government

Question 2: In a federal system, the constituent units of the country are typically referred to as:

A. Branches

B. Provinces or states

C. Municipalities

D. Departments

Question 3: Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of a federal system?

A. Division of power between central and regional governments

B. A single, centralized source of authority

C. Constitutional safeguards for the autonomy of regional governments

D. A system designed to accommodate regional diversity

Question 4: The relationship between the central government and the constituent units in a federal system is primarily based on:

A. Hierarchy and subordination

B. Cooperation and shared responsibility

C. Competition and rivalry

D. Isolation and independence

Question 5: Which of the following is a potential advantage of a federal system?

A. It promotes regional autonomy and accommodates diversity

B. It leads to faster decision-making

C. It eliminates conflicts between different levels of government

D. It is suitable for small countries with homogenous populations

Global Perspective

Question 6: Approximately what percentage of the world’s population lives in countries with federal political systems?

A. 10%

B. 20%

C. 40%

D. 60%

Question 7: Which of the following is generally true about federal systems?

A. They are more common in small countries

B. They are more common in large countries

C. They are equally common in large and small countries

D. They are rare in both large and small countries

Question 8: Which of the following is an exception to the trend of large countries adopting federalism?

A. India

B. China

C. The United States

D. Brazil

Question 9: The fact that a significant portion of the world’s population lives under federal systems suggests that:

A. Federalism is the only viable form of government

B. Federalism is well-suited to addressing the challenges of governing large and diverse countries

C. Federalism is inherently superior to unitary systems

D. Federalism is a recent and experimental form of government

Question 10: Which of the following is a potential challenge associated with federalism?

A. It can lead to conflicts between different levels of government

B. It can hinder regional autonomy

C. It is unsuitable for large countries

D. It promotes a homogenous national identity

Contrast between Unitary and Federal Systems

Question 11: In a unitary system of government:

A. Power is divided between a central authority and constituent units

B. The central government has ultimate authority over all other levels of government

C. Regional governments have constitutional guarantees of autonomy

D. There are multiple levels of government with equal power

Question 12: Which of the following countries is an example of a unitary system?

A. The United States

B. India

C. France

D. Canada

Question 13: The key difference between a federal and a unitary system lies in:

A. The number of levels of government

B. The presence of a constitution

C. The distribution of power between the central and regional governments

D. The existence of a judiciary

Question 14: Belgium’s transition from a unitary to a federal system involved:

A. Centralizing power in the national government

B. Granting constitutional powers to regional governments

C. Abolishing regional governments

D. Reducing the overall size of the country

Question 15: The example of Belgium demonstrates that:

A. Federalism is only suitable for large countries

B. Unitary systems are always more efficient

C. Countries can transition from unitary to federal systems to better accommodate regional diversity

D. Federalism leads to the disintegration of countries

Question 16: In Sri Lanka, the demand for a federal system stems from:

A. The desire for a more centralized government

B. The desire to grant more power to the national government

C. The desire to accommodate the aspirations of the Tamil minority for greater autonomy

D. The desire to create a homogenous national identity

Question 17: The contrast between Belgium and Sri Lanka highlights:

A. The universal applicability of federalism

B. The inherent superiority of unitary systems

C. The importance of considering the specific context and needs of a country when choosing a system of government

D. The inevitability of conflict in diverse societies

Key Features of Federalism

Multiple Levels of Government

Question 18: A defining characteristic of a federal system is the presence of:

A. A single, all-powerful central government

B. Two or more levels of government

C. No central government

D. A purely ceremonial head of state

Question 19: In a federal system, different tiers of government typically:

A. Govern entirely separate populations

B. Govern the same citizens but have distinct jurisdictions

C. Have identical powers and responsibilities

D. Are completely independent of each other

Question 20: The allocation of powers and responsibilities between different levels of government in a federal system is usually outlined in:

A. The constitution

B. Ordinary legislation

C. Executive orders

D. Judicial decisions

Question 21: Which of the following is NOT a typical tier of government in a federal system?

A. National or central government

B. Provincial or state government

C. Local government

D. International organizations

Question 22: The existence of multiple levels of government in a federal system is intended to:

A. Create confusion and inefficiency

B. Centralize power

C. Promote regional autonomy and participation in decision-making

D. Eliminate the need for a central government

Division of Powers

Question 23: In a federal system, the division of powers between different levels of government ensures that:

A. Each level has clearly defined areas of authority

B. All levels have equal power

C. The central government has complete control

D. There is no overlap in responsibilities

Question 24: The division of powers in a federal system typically covers which of the following areas?

A. Legislation

B. Taxation

C. Administration

D. All of the above

Question 25: The purpose of clearly specifying the jurisdictions of different levels of government is to:

A. Promote conflict and competition

B. Avoid confusion and overlap in responsibilities

C. Centralize power in the national government

D. Make it difficult to amend the constitution

Question 26: In a federal system, if there is a conflict between a law made by the central government and a law made by a regional government on a concurrent subject, which law prevails?

A. The law made by the regional government

B. The law made by the central government

C. Both laws are equally valid

D. It depends on the specific subject matter

Question 27: The concept of “residuary powers” in a federal system refers to:

A. Powers that are shared equally between all levels of government

B. Powers that are specifically assigned to local governments

C. Powers that are not explicitly listed in the constitution and belong to the central government

D. Powers that can be exercised by any level of government at its discretion

Question 28: The division of financial resources between different levels of government in a federal system is important to ensure:

A. The financial dependence of regional governments on the central government

B. The concentration of all financial resources in the central government

C. The financial autonomy of each level of government

D. The ability of the central government to dictate spending priorities at all levels

Constitutional Safeguards

Question 29: In a federal system, the constitution serves as:

A. A flexible document that can be easily changed by any level of government

B. A rigid document that cannot be amended under any circumstances

C. A foundational document that guarantees the existence and authority of each tier of government

D. A purely symbolic document with no legal force

Question 30: The fundamental provisions of the constitution in a federal system:

A. Can be unilaterally changed by the central government

B. Can be unilaterally changed by regional governments

C. Require the consent of both the central and regional governments to be amended

D. Can be amended by the judiciary

Question 31: The purpose of constitutional safeguards in a federal system is to:

A. Protect the autonomy of regional governments

B. Prevent the central government from becoming too powerful

C. Ensure a balance of power between different levels of government

D. All of the above

Question 32: Which of the following is an example of a constitutional safeguard in a federal system?

A. The power of the central government to dismiss regional governments at will

B. The requirement for a supermajority vote in the legislature to amend the constitution

C. The absence of a written constitution

D. The concentration of all judicial power in the central government

Independent Judiciary

Question 33: The role of the judiciary in a federal system is to:

A. Make laws

B. Implement policies

C. Interpret the constitution and resolve disputes between different levels of government

D. Collect taxes

Question 34: In a federal system, the highest court acts as:

A. An advocate for the central government

B. An advocate for regional governments

C. An impartial umpire in disputes between different levels of government

D. A legislative body

Question 35: The power of judicial review in a federal system allows the courts to:

A. Overturn laws that violate the constitution

B. Make new laws

C. Dismiss elected officials

D. Control the budget

Question 36: An independent judiciary is crucial in a federal system to:

A. Ensure the rule of law and protect the rights of individuals and governments

B. Promote the dominance of the central government

C. Undermine the authority of regional governments

D. Create a system of arbitrary decision-making

Financial Autonomy

Question 37: In a federal system, each level of government should have:

A. Clearly specified sources of revenue

B. Unlimited access to all financial resources

C. Complete dependence on the central government for funding

D. The power to tax any entity within its jurisdiction without limitations

Question 38: The purpose of ensuring financial autonomy for different levels of government is to:

A. Enable them to carry out their responsibilities effectively

B. Make them completely independent of the central government

C. Encourage fiscal irresponsibility

D. Create competition for resources

Question 39: Which of the following is a potential source of revenue for a regional government in a federal system?

A. Sales tax

B. Income tax

C. Property tax

D. All of the above

Question 40: The allocation of financial resources in a federal system should ideally be:

A. Based on the population of each region

B. Based on the needs and responsibilities of each level of government

C. Equal for all levels of government

D. Determined solely by the central government

Federalism in India

Constitutional Framework

Question 41: Which of the following best describes India’s constitutional structure?

A. A confederation of states

B. A unitary system with a strong central government

C. A “Union of States” with a federal framework

D. A monarchy with limited powers for regional rulers

Question 42: The Indian Constitution initially provided for how many tiers of government?

A. One

B. Two

C. Three

D. Four

Question 43: Which of the following lists contains subjects of national importance in India’s federal system?

A. Union List

B. State List

C. Concurrent List

D. Residuary List

Question 44: Which level of government has the exclusive power to make laws on subjects listed in the Union List?

A. State governments

B. Union Government (Central Government)

C. Both Union and State governments

D. Local governments

Question 45: Subjects like police, trade, commerce, agriculture, and irrigation fall under which list in India’s federal system?

A. Union List

B. State List

C. Concurrent List

D. Residuary List

Question 46: Which level of government has the power to make laws on subjects listed in the State List?

A. State governments

B. Union Government (Central Government)

C. Both Union and State governments

D. Local governments

Question 47: The Concurrent List in India’s federal system includes subjects of common interest to both the Union and State governments. In case of a conflict between a Union law and a State law on a concurrent subject, which law prevails?

A. The State law

B. The Union law

C. Both laws are equally valid

D. It is decided by the Supreme Court on a case-by-case basis

Question 48: Subjects like education, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption, and succession are included in which list?

A. Union List

B. State List

C. Concurrent List

D. Residuary List

Question 49: Who has the power to legislate on “residuary” subjects, i.e., subjects not mentioned in any of the three lists?

A. State governments

B. Union Government (Central Government)

C. Both Union and State governments

D. Local governments

Question 50: The three-fold distribution of legislative powers in India is a key feature of its:

A. Unitary system

B. Federal system

C. Presidential system

D. Parliamentary system

Special Provisions

Question 51: Which of the following states in India enjoys special powers under Article 371 of the Constitution?

A. Uttar Pradesh

B. Maharashtra

C. Nagaland

D. Kerala

Question 52: The special powers granted to certain states in India relate primarily to:

A. Economic development

B. Industrialization

C. Protection of land rights, culture, and preferential employment in government services

D. Foreign relations

Question 53: The provision of special powers to some states reflects:

A. The unitary nature of India’s government

B. The asymmetric federalism in India, where some states have more powers than others

C. The complete equality of all states in India

D. The absence of any special provisions in the Indian Constitution

Question 54: Which of the following is an example of a special provision granted to certain states?

A. Non-residents cannot buy land or houses in some states

B. All states have the same official language

C. The central government can dismiss state governments at will

D. There are no restrictions on inter-state trade

Question 55: The special provisions granted to certain states are intended to:

A. Promote national unity

B. Address the unique historical and social contexts of those states

C. Protect the interests of indigenous populations

D. All of the above

Union Territories

Question 56: Union Territories in India are:

A. States with full powers and autonomy

B. Areas too small to be independent states but couldn’t be merged with existing states

C. Autonomous regions with their own constitutions

D. Parts of neighboring countries administered by India

Question 57: Which of the following is an example of a Union Territory in India?

A. Uttar Pradesh

B. Chandigarh

C. Maharashtra

D. Kerala

Question 58: Compared to states, Union Territories have:

A. More powers

B. Equal powers

C. Less powers

D. No defined powers

Question 59: The administration of Union Territories is the responsibility of:

A. The President of India

B. The state governments

C. The Central Government

D. Local governments

Question 60: The existence of Union Territories in India reflects:

A. The complete uniformity of India’s federal system

B. The flexibility of India’s federal system to accommodate diverse administrative needs

C. The absence of any central control in India’s governance

D. The dominance of state governments over the central government

Role of the Judiciary

Question 61: In India, disputes about the division of powers between the Union and State governments are resolved by:

A. The President of India

B. The Parliament

C. The High Courts and the Supreme Court

D. The State Legislatures

Question 62: The judiciary’s role in India’s federal system is to:

A. Make laws

B. Oversee the implementation of constitutional provisions and procedures

C. Collect taxes

D. Appoint state governors

Question 63: The power of judicial review allows the courts in India to:

A. Dismiss elected officials

B. Control the budget

C. Declare laws or actions unconstitutional

D. Amend the constitution

Question 64: The Supreme Court of India acts as:

A. The final arbiter in disputes between the Union and State governments

B. An advocate for the Union government

C. An advocate for the State governments

D. A legislative body

Question 65: The presence of an independent judiciary in India’s federal system is crucial for:

A. Upholding the rule of law

B. Protecting the rights of individuals and governments

C. Maintaining a balance of power between different levels of government

D. All of the above

How Federalism is Practiced in India

Linguistic States

Question 66: The creation of linguistic states in India was primarily driven by:

A. The desire to promote regional languages

B. The need to simplify administration

C. The demand for states based on shared language and culture

D. All of the above

Question 67: The formation of linguistic states in India is seen as having:

A. Weakened national unity

B. Strengthened national unity

C. Had no impact on national unity

D. Led to the disintegration of the country

Question 68: Which of the following states was created based on cultural and ethnic differences rather than language?

A. Maharashtra

B. Tamil Nadu

C. Nagaland

D. Kerala

Question 69: The reorganization of states on linguistic lines reflects:

A. The central government’s disregard for regional aspirations

B. The success of democratic politics in accommodating regional diversity

C. The imposition of Hindi as the national language

D. The failure of federalism in India

Question 70: The linguistic reorganization of states in India has:

A. Made administration more complex

B. Made administration easier

C. Had no impact on administration

D. Led to increased conflicts between states

Language Policy

Question 71: Which language is recognized as the official language of India?

A. Hindi

B. English

C. Sanskrit

D. There is no official language

Question 72: How many languages are recognized as Scheduled Languages by the Indian Constitution?

A. 10

B. 15

C. 22

D. 25

Question 73: The language policy in India is characterized by:

A. The imposition of Hindi on all states

B. The promotion of Hindi while safeguarding other languages

C. The exclusive use of English for official purposes

D. The absence of any language policy

Question 74: The flexibility shown by Indian political leaders in the language policy has helped to:

A. Avoid language-based conflicts seen in countries like Sri Lanka

B. Promote the dominance of English

C. Suppress regional languages

D. Create a homogenous national identity

Question 75: The language policy in India reflects:

A. The dominance of Hindi-speaking states

B. The attempt to balance the promotion of Hindi with the recognition of linguistic diversity

C. The disregard for regional languages

D. The imposition of a single national language

Center-State Relations

Question 76: The early years of India’s federal system were characterized by:

A. Strong and assertive state governments

B. A dominant central government and less assertive state governments

C. Equal power-sharing between the center and states

D. Frequent conflicts between the center and states

Question 77: The period after 1990 witnessed a significant change in center-state relations due to:

A. The rise of regional political parties

B. The formation of coalition governments at the center

C. A Supreme Court judgment limiting the central government’s power to dismiss state governments

D. All of the above

Question 78: Coalition governments at the center have led to:

A. Increased centralization of power

B. Greater respect for the autonomy of state governments

C. The dominance of a single national party

D. The weakening of regional parties

Question 79: The Supreme Court’s judgment limiting the arbitrary dismissal of state governments has:

A. Strengthened the spirit of federalism

B. Weakened the power of the central government

C. Increased conflicts between the center and states

D. Promoted the dominance of a single party

Question 80: The current trend in center-state relations in India can be described as:

A. More centralized than in the early years

B. More federal and power-sharing oriented than in the early years

C. Unchanged from the early years

D. Characterized by constant conflict between the center and states

Question 81: The evolution of center-state relations in India demonstrates:

A. The rigidity of the Indian Constitution

B. The adaptability of the federal system to changing political realities

C. The failure of federalism to accommodate regional aspirations

D. The dominance of the central government over state governments

Question 82: Which of the following factors has contributed to the strengthening of federalism in India?

A. The rise of regional parties

B. The formation of coalition governments

C. Judicial interventions protecting state autonomy

D. All of the above

Decentralization in India

Question 83: The concept of decentralization in India refers to:

A. Transferring power from the central government to state governments

B. Transferring power from both central and state governments to local governments

C. Centralizing power in the national government

D. Abolishing local governments

Question 84: The main idea behind decentralization is that:

A. Local people have better knowledge of local problems and solutions

B. Centralized planning is always more efficient

C. Local governments should have no power or resources

D. Democracy is incompatible with local self-government

Question 85: Which of the following is NOT a potential benefit of decentralization?

A. Better understanding of local needs and priorities

B. Increased participation of people in decision-making

C. More efficient management of resources

D. Increased dependence on the central government

Question 86: The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments in 1992 aimed to:

A. Centralize power in the state governments

B. Make the third-tier of democracy (local governments) more powerful and effective

C. Abolish local self-government

D. Reduce the powers of the central government

Question 87: Which of the following is a feature of the new system of local government in India?

A. Regular elections to local government bodies are constitutionally mandatory

B. Seats are reserved for women and marginalized groups

C. An independent State Election Commission conducts local elections

D. All of the above

Question 88: Despite the constitutional status and regular elections, local governments in India still face challenges such as:

A. Lack of significant powers and resources

B. Irregular gram sabha meetings

C. Reluctance of some state governments to transfer powers

D. All of the above

Constitutional Amendments

Question 89: The constitutional amendments of 1992 made it mandatory to:

A. Hold regular elections to local government bodies

B. Reserve seats for women in local bodies

C. Create State Election Commissions

D. All of the above

Question 90: The reservation of seats in local bodies for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and Other Backward Classes aims to:

A. Promote social justice and inclusivity

B. Concentrate power in the hands of a few groups

C. Discriminate against the majority population

D. Create separate electorates for different communities

Question 91: The reservation of at least one-third of all positions for women in local bodies is intended to:

A. Increase women’s participation and voice in democracy

B. Exclude men from local governance

C. Create gender-based quotas in all levels of government

D. Limit women’s role to local governance

Question 92: The State Election Commission is responsible for:

A. Conducting elections to the Parliament

B. Conducting elections to the State Legislatures

C. Conducting panchayat and municipal elections

D. Appointing local government officials

Question 93: The 1992 amendments require state governments to:

A. Share some powers and revenue with local government bodies

B. Completely relinquish control over local governments

C. Dictate all decisions of local governments

D. Ignore the needs and priorities of local communities

Question 94: The nature and extent of power-sharing between state governments and local bodies:

A. Is uniform across all states

B. Varies from state to state

C. Is determined solely by the central government

D. Is not specified in the constitution

Question 95: The 1992 constitutional amendments relating to local governments can be seen as:

A. A setback for democracy

B. A major step towards deepening democracy in India

C. Having no impact on democracy

D. Centralizing power in the hands of the national government

Structure of Local Governments

Question 96: In rural areas, the basic unit of local self-government is the:

A. Gram Panchayat

B. Panchayat Samiti

C. Zilla Parishad

D. Municipal Corporation

Question 97: The members of a Gram Panchayat are:

A. Appointed by the state government

B. Directly elected by the adult population of the village

C. Nominated by the Zilla Parishad

D. Hereditary positions

Question 98: The Gram Sabha consists of:

A. All elected representatives of the village

B. All voters in the village

C. Only the Sarpanch and Panches

D. Government officials appointed to oversee the village

Question 99: In urban areas, local self-government is carried out by:

A. Gram Panchayats

B. Panchayat Samitis

C. Municipalities and Municipal Corporations

D. Zilla Parishads

Question 100: The political head of a Municipal Corporation is called the:

A. Sarpanch

B. Mayor

C. Chairperson

D. Collector

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