Question.1. What is the main difference between a federal form of government and a unitary one? Explain with an example.
Ans. Under the federal system, generally, there are two sets of government i.e., national and state. Powers are divided between the two. For example in India, there are three lists – Union list, State list, and Concurrent list. The central or national government makes laws on the subjects in the Union List. These are subjects of national importance such as defense, foreign affairs and currency.

The state governments enact laws on the subjects included in the state list. These subjects are of state and local importance such as police, trade, agriculture and irrigation. Both the governments can enact laws on the subjects included in the concurrent list which includes subjects of common interest. These are education, forest, trade unions, and marriage etc.

On the other hand, under the unitary system, there is only one level of government at the national level. There are no provincial or state governments as we have in India. There is, therefore, no division of powers. The units or provincial government, if any, are subordinate to the central government or national government as in England. The central or national government has all the powers.

Question.2. State any two differences between the local government before and after the Constitutional amendment in 1992.
Ans. A major step towards decentralization was taken in 1992. The Constitution was amended to make the third-tier of democracy more powerful and effective. Now it is constitutionally mandated to hold regular elections to local government bodies. Seats are reserved in the elected bodies and the executive heads of these institutions for the Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Classes.

At least one-third of all positions are reserved for women. An independent institution called the State Election Commission has been created in each State to conduct panchayat and municipal elections. The State governments are required to share some powers and revenue with local government bodies. The nature of sharing varies from State to State.

Question.3. Locate the following States on a blank outline political map of India: Manipur, Sikkim, Chhattisgarh, and Goa.
Ans.

Question.4. Identify and shade three federal countries (other than India) on a blank outline political map of the world.
Ans. Federal states : South Africa, Brazil, and Russia have been.

Question.5. Point out one feature in the practice of federalism in India that is similar to and one feature that is different from that of Belgium.
Ans. (1) Similar features: Distribution of powers : In both the countries, power has been divided among the national government, state (provincial) government, and local governments (community govt, in Belgium).

In Belgium,

• The regional governments have jurisdiction over transportation, public works, water policy, education, public health, and housing, etc.
• The community government has the power regarding cultural, educational, and language-related issues. In India, for example
• The legislative powers have been divided between the Union Govt and the State Governments.
• It contains three lists – Union list, State list, and Concurrent list.
• By the Act of 1992, the third tier e., local govts, have been granted more powers.

(2) Different features: Forms ofgovernment: In Belgium in addition to Central and State government, there is a third kind of government that is community government. This is elected by people belonging to one language community – Dutch, French, and German-speaking – no matter where they live. This government deals with cultural, educational, and language-related issues. In India, there is no such government.

In India, there is a three-tier government. The third government is the local government i.e., Panchayats at the village level and Municipalities at the town level. These bodies have been given powers by constitutional amendment in 1992.

Some of the provisions of the Act are as mentioned below :

• Mandatory to hold regular elections to local govt bodies.
• Reservation of seats for SC/ST/OBC.
• Reservation of 1/3 seats for women.
• State Election Commission to hold elections.
• State govt, to share some powers.

Question.6. Fill in the blanks :
Since the United States is a ___________________ type of federation, all the constituent States have equal powers and States are ______________ vis-à-vis the federal government. But India is a _____________________ type of federation and some States have more power than others. In India, the ____________ government has more powers.
Ans. (1) coming together (2) strong (3) holding together (4) central

Question.7. Here are three reactions to the language policy followed in India. Give an argument and an example to support any of these positions.
Sangeeta: The policy of accommodation has strengthened national unity.
Arman: The language-based States have divided us by making everyone conscious of their language.
Harish: This policy has only helped to consolidate the dominance of English over all other languages.
Ans. The position held by Sangeeta that the policy of accommodation has strengthened national unity is correct. The Central Government agreed to continue the use of English along with Hindi for official purposes to avoid the Lankan kind of situation. Otherwise, the movement against Hindi would have taken a more ugly turn. The promotion of Hindi continues to be the official policy of the Government of India.

Promotion does not mean that the Central Government can impose Hindi on states where people speak a different language. The flexibility shown by our leaders helped our country avoid the kind of situation that Sri Lanka finds itself in. Thus the policy of accommodation has strengthened national unity. Hindi is being used along with English for official purposes.

Question.8. The distinguishing feature of a federal government is :
(a) The National government gives some powers to the provincial government.
(b) Power is distributed among the legislature, executive, and judiciary.
(c) Elected officials exercise supreme power in the government.
(d) Governmental power is divided between different levels of government.
Ans. We know that, federal government is that form of government in which the government is formed of three branches: legislative, executive and judiciary and hence the governmental power is divided between these different levels of government.
Therefore option (iv) is correct.

Question.9. A few subjects in various Lists of the Indian Constitution are given here.
Group them under the Union, State, and Concurrent Lists as provided in the table below :
A. Defence; B. Police; C. Agriculture; D. Education; E. Banking; F. Forests; G. Communications; H. Trade; I. Marriages.