REVISION QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
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:
1. Union List (97
Subjects)
2. State List (66
Subjects)
3. Concurrent List (47
Subjects)
Question 11.
Why is decentralisation favoured in democracy? Identify any two reasons. (2014)
Answer:
Five advantages of decentralisation of power:
1. When power is taken
away from Central and State Governments and given to local governments, it is
called decentralisation. The basic idea behind decentralisation is that there
are a large number of problems and issues which are best settled at the local level.
People have better knowledge of problems in their localities.
2. They also have
better ideas on where to spend money and how to manage things more efficiently.
3. Besides, at the
local level, it is possible for the people to directly participate in decision
making. This helps to inculcate a habit of democratic participation.
4. Local government is
the best way to realise one important principle of democracy, namely local
self¬government.
5. The need for
decentralisation was recognised in our Constitution. A major step towards
decentralisation was taken in 1992. The Constitution was amended to make the
third tier of democracy more powerful and effective.
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.
Other examples are Spain and Belgium.
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:
1. Now it is
constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to Local Government
bodies.
2. Seats are reserved
in elected bodies for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward
classes (OBCs).
3. Atleast one-third
of all positions and seats are reserved for women.
4. An independent
institution called the State Election Commission was created to conduct
Panchayat and Municipal elections.
5. The State
Governments are required to share some powers and revenue with Local Government
bodies.
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:
1. Clearly laid out
Constitutional Provisions providing a three-fold distribution of powers in the
three lists—Union List, State List and Concurrent List—between the Union
Government and State Governments.
2. The nature of democratic
politics in our country which ensures that the spirit of federalism, respect
for diversity and desire for living together became a shared ideal.
3. The creation of
linguistic states. Boundaries of several old states of India were changed in
order to create new states. This was done to ensure that people who spoke the
same language lived in the same state. Later some states were created to
recognise differences based on culture, ethnicity or geography.
For example: Nagaland, Uttrakhand, Jharkhand, Telangana, etc.
4. Restricting
Centre-State relations. The constitutional arrangements for sharing power work
depending on how the ruling parties and leaders follow these arrangements. For
a long time, the same party ruled both at the Centre and in most of states.
Post-1990 saw the rise of regional parties. Since no single party got a clear
majority in the Lok Sabha, the national parties had to enter into an alliance
which led to a new culture of power sharing and respect for autonomy of State
Governments.
Question 16.
Explain any five features of federalism. (2015)
Answer:
Features of federalism:
1. There are two or
more levels of government.
2. Different levels of
government govern the same citizens, where each level has its own jurisdiction
in specific matters of legislation, taxation and administration.
3. Existence and
authority of each level of government is constitutionally governed.
4. The fundamental
provisions of the Constitution cannot be unilaterally changed. Such changes
require the consent of both the levels of government.
5. Courts have the
power to interpret the Constitution and powers of the different levels of
government. The highest court acts as the umpire if any dispute arises between
different levels of governments.
6. Sources of revenue
for each level of government are specified to ensure its financial autonomy.
7. Federal system has
dual objectives. To safeguard and promote unity of the country, and to
accommodate regional diversity.
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:
1. Union List includes
subjects of national importance, i.e., defence of the country, foreign affairs,
banking, communications and currency.
2. State List contains
subjects of state and local importance, i.e., police, trade, commerce,
agriculture and irrigation.
3. Concurrent List
includes subjects of common interest to both the Union Government as well as
the State Governments, i.e., education, forests, trade unions, marriages,
adoption and succession.
In case of dispute, law made by the Union Government shall prevail.
4. Residuary—Subjects
which do not fall in any of the three lists, i.e., computer software, etc.
Union Government has the power to legislate such subjects.
· As India is an
example of ‘holding together’ federation, all states in the Indian Union do not
have identical powers. Some states enjoy special status such as Jammu &
Kashmir. There are some states too small to become independent like the Union
Territories of Chandigarh and Lakshadweep.
· This sharing of
power between the Union Government and State Governments is basic to the
structure of the Constitution. Any change to it, has to be passed by both the
Houses of the Parliament with at least two-third majority.
· The judiciary plays
an important role in the implementation of constitutional procedures. In case
of any dispute about division of powers, the High Courts and the Supreme Court
make a decision.
Question 18.
Describe in brief the language policy of India?
Answer:
1. Our Constitution
did not give the status of national language to any one language.
2. The formation of
linguistic states united the country and made administration easier.
3. The leaders of our
country adopted a very cautious attitude in spreading the use of Hindi. Hindi
was identified as official language.
4. The banning of use
of English for official purposes in 1965 took a violent form in Tamil Nadu. The
Central Government responded by agreeing to continue the use of English along
with Hindi for official purposes.
5. Promotion of Hindi
is an official policy of the Government of India but it does not impose Hindi
on states where people speak a different language.
6. Besides Hindi,
there are 21 other languages recognised as scheduled languages by the
Constitution.
7. This flexibility
shown by Indian leaders helped our country avoid the situation that Sri Lanka
finds itself in.
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:
1. Now it is
constitutionally mandatory to hold regular elections to Local Government
bodies.
2. Seats are reserved
in elected bodies for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and other backward
classes (OBCs).
3. Atleast one-third
of all positions are reserved for women.
4. The State Election
Commission was created to conduct Panchayat and Municipal elections.
5. The State
Governments are required to share some powers and revenue with Local Government
bodies.
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.
· Each village or
group of villages has a Gram Panchayat.
· Panch, President or
Sarpanch are directly elected by all the adult population of the village and is
the decision-making body.
· The Panchayat works
under the supervision of Gram Sabha, with all the voters as its members.
· The local structure
goes up to the district level—a group of Gram Panchayats form a Panchayat
Samiti or Block or Mandal.
· All the Panchayat
Samitis or Mandals together constitute the Zilla Parishad which consists of
elected members.
· Lok Sabha members,
Local MLAs and officers are also members of the Zilla Parishad.
· Its Chairperson is
the political head of the Parishad.
Urban areas local
bodies.
· Municipalities are
set up in towns.
· Big cities are
constituted into Municipal Corporations.
· Both are controlled
by elected bodies consisting of people’s representatives.
· Municipal
chairperson is the political head of the Municipality.
The head of Municipal Corporation is an officer called the Mayor.
Question 21.
How is federal power sharing more effective today than in the early years?
Explain. (2017 OD)
Answer:
1. Federal power
sharing is more effective because of the nature of democratic politics in
India. It has ensured that the spirit of federalism, respect for diversity and
desire for living together have become a shared ideal in our country.
2. Federal power
sharing has helped to inculcate a habit of democratic participation. Federal
power sharing is the best way to realise one important principle of democracy,
namely local self-government. Constitutional status for local government has
helped to deepen democracy.
· It has increased
women’s representation and voice in democracy.
· Federal power
sharing has led to formation of linguistic states which has actually made the
country more united. It has also made administration easier.
· It reduces the
power of the Central government and gives power to regional governments.
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