Federalism Short and Long Important Question Class 11 Political Science Chapter-7 Book-India Constitution at Work

 

1. What is federalism?

Answer: 

Federalism is a political system in which the government functions at two levels—the central government and the state government. Each government is autonomous in its own area and has powers specified by the Constitution. Some federal countries have dual citizenship, but India has only single citizenship.

2. What are the main features of federalism?

Answer:

• There are two or three levels of government.

• The form of government is determined by the constitution.

• There is a division of powers between the centre and the states.

• The independent judiciary resolves disputes between the central and state governments.

• Consent at all levels is necessary to amend the Constitution.

• Financial autonomy is given.

3. Why was federalism adopted in the Indian Constitution?

Answer: 

India is a country full of diversity, where different languages, religions and cultural groups exist. Even before independence, it was believed that decentralization of powers would be necessary to run such a large country smoothly. That is why the Indian Constitution adopted a federal system, in which there was a clear division of powers between the center and the states.

4. How many levels of government are there in India?

Answer: 

There are three levels of government in India-

1. Central Government (Union Government)

2. State Government (Provincial Government)

3. Local Government(Gram Panchayat, Nagar Palika)

5. How has the division of powers been done in the Indian Constitution?

Answer: 

In the Indian Constitution, powers have been divided between the Centre and the States in three lists—

1. Union List - Only the central government can make laws on the subjects of this list. Such as - defense, foreign policy, railways, communication.

2. State List – Only state governments can make laws on the subjects of this list. Such as – police, health, agriculture, water supply.

3. Concurrent List - Both the centre and the state can make laws on the subjects of this list, but in case of conflict, the law of the central government will prevail. For example - education, forest, labour laws.

6. Why does the Indian Constitution make the Central Government powerful?

Answer: 

The constitution makers believed that a strong central government is necessary in a large and diverse country like India. The reason for this-

• Maintaining social and economic equality.

• To safeguard national unity and integrity.

• To prevent disruptive tendencies in the states.

• Integration of more than 500 princely states at the time of independence.

7. What powers are given to the Centre under Article 3?

Answer: 

According to Article 3 of the Indian Constitution, the Parliament has the power to alter the boundaries of any state, divide it to form a new state or change the name of any state.

8. What impact do emergency provisions have on Centre-State relations?

Answer: 

Under the Constitution, during an emergency, the powers of the state government come under the control of the Centre. Parliament can also make laws on subjects which under normal circumstances fall under the jurisdiction of the state governments.

9. Who appoints the Governor, and why is it controversial?

Answer: 

The Governor is appointed by the President (Central Government). This is controversial because the Governor can interfere in the functions of the State Government and acts on the instructions of the Central Government.

10. What is Article 356 and why is it controversial?

Answer: 

Under Article 356, President's rule can be imposed if the state government is unable to function according to the Constitution.

• Many times it was misused for political gain.

• After 1967, the central government dismissed non-Congress governments in several states.

• In the 1994 S.R. Bommai case, the Supreme Court clarified that Article 356 cannot be misused.

11. Why does the demand for formation of new states arise in India?

Answer:

• Demand for states on linguistic basis (recommendation of the States Reorganisation Commission in 1956).

• Demand for smaller states due to economic and cultural reasons.

• Formation of smaller states for better administration and development.

Example – Maharashtra-Gujarat in 1960, Punjab-Haryana in 1966, Uttarakhand-Chhattisgarh-Jharkhand in 2000, Telangana in 2014.

12. What causes the biggest tension in the Indian federal system?

Answer:

• The central government has excessive powers, due to which the state governments remain dissatisfied.

• Lack of financial autonomy of the states.

• Controversy over the role of Governor.

• Conflict due to governments of different political parties.

13. What was Article 370 and what is its status now?

Answer:

• Jammu and Kashmir had special status under Article 370.

• The central government needed the consent of the state to make laws there.

• Jammu and Kashmir had a separate constitution and flag.

• In 2019, Article 370 was removed and Jammu and Kashmir was divided into two union territories—Jammu and Kashmir, and Ladakh.

14. What is the purpose of Article 371?

Answer:

It provides special rights to the North-Eastern states and other special states (Andhra Pradesh, Maharashtra, Gujarat, etc.).

Special provisions have been made to protect the culture and administrative structure of these states.

15. What is the future of Indian federalism?

Answer: 

The Indian federal system has evolved and strengthened over time. Currently—

• States have got more autonomy due to coalition governments.

• The demand for financial independence of the states is increasing.

• The role of local governments is also being made important.

• An attempt is being made to maintain a balance between the Centre and the states under the Constitution and the Judiciary.