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Federalism – Class 11 Political Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 11 Political Science, chapter 7. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

Chapter overview

Federalism is a system in which power is divided between a central government and regional governments, each with its own sphere of authority defined by the constitution. India is a federation with a strong centre, described as a 'Union of States' in Article 1. Powers are divided through the Union, State and Concurrent Lists, while several provisions give the Union an upper hand to maintain unity.

Federal features of India

Two levels of government (Union and states), later local governments as a third tier.
Division of powers through three lists in the Seventh Schedule: Union List (defence, foreign affairs, currency), State List (police, agriculture, public health) and Concurrent List (education, forests, marriage).
Residuary powers rest with the Union (Article 248); a written constitution, an independent judiciary to settle disputes, and the Rajya Sabha representing states.

Strong centre (unitary features)

Parliament can create new states and change boundaries and names under Article 3.
Emergency provisions shift powers to the Union; under Article 356 President's rule can be imposed in a state if its constitutional machinery fails.
Governors are appointed by the President; the Union controls major sources of revenue and all-India services; single citizenship and an integrated judiciary.

Tensions and special provisions

Disputes include demands for more autonomy, the role of governors, misuse of Article 356, inter-state boundary and river water disputes.
In the S.R. Bommai case (1994) the Supreme Court limited the misuse of Article 356 by making it subject to judicial review.
Special provisions under Article 371 apply to several states; Article 370 for Jammu and Kashmir was made inoperative in 2019 and the state was reorganised into two Union Territories.
The Finance Commission (Article 280) recommends sharing of taxes between the Union and states, and the GST Council is a forum of cooperative federalism.

Key terms

Federalism: a system in which powers are divided between central and regional governments by a constitution
Seventh Schedule: the part of the Constitution containing the Union, State and Concurrent Lists
Residuary powers: powers over subjects not mentioned in any list, which rest with the Union in India
President's rule: central rule imposed in a state under Article 356 when its government cannot function constitutionally
Cooperative federalism: a relationship in which the Union and states work together to solve common problems

Important questions with answers

What is meant by residuary powers?2 marks

Residuary powers are powers over subjects that are not mentioned in the Union, State or Concurrent Lists, such as new areas like cyber law. In India, under Article 248, these powers rest with the Union Parliament.

State any three unitary features of the Indian Constitution.3 marks

Parliament can create new states and change their boundaries under Article 3 without the consent of the states; during emergencies the Union can legislate on state subjects and direct state governments; and governors are appointed by the President and act as agents of the Union, who can recommend President's rule under Article 356. There is also single citizenship and an integrated judiciary.

Explain the federal features of the Indian Constitution and the reasons for a strong centre.5 marks

The Indian Constitution has the main features of a federation. There are two levels of government, the Union and the states, each with its own powers; local governments were later added as a third tier. Powers are divided through the Seventh Schedule into the Union List, containing subjects of national importance such as defence, foreign affairs and currency; the State List, containing subjects such as police, agriculture and public health; and the Concurrent List, containing subjects such as education, forests and marriage, on which both can make laws, with Union law prevailing in case of conflict. The Constitution is written and supreme, an independent judiciary settles Union–state disputes, and the Rajya Sabha represents the states. However, the Constitution creates a strong centre: residuary powers rest with the Union; Parliament can reorganise states; emergency provisions and Article 356 allow central control; governors are appointed by the President; the Union controls major taxes and all-India services; and there is single citizenship. The framers chose a strong centre because of the circumstances of Partition, the need to integrate princely states, the vast diversity of the country, the need for planned economic development and the need to protect unity and integrity. Over time, judgements such as S.R. Bommai (1994) and institutions such as the Finance Commission and the GST Council have strengthened cooperative federalism.

Quick revision

Article 1: Union of States.
Three lists; residuary powers with Union.
Strong centre: Article 3, emergency, Article 356, governors.
S.R. Bommai (1994); Finance Commission; GST Council.

Exam tips

Make a table of federal and unitary features of the Indian Constitution.
Give two subjects from each of the three lists.

Practice MCQs

Defence is a subject in the
1. Union List
2. State List
3. Concurrent List
4. residuary list
Show answer
Answer: (a) Union List. Only Parliament can make laws on it.
Police is a subject in the
1. Union List
2. State List
3. Concurrent List
4. Ninth Schedule
Show answer
Answer: (b) State List. States maintain law and order.
Education is in the
1. Concurrent List
2. State List
3. Union List
4. no list
Show answer
Answer: (a) Concurrent List. Both Union and states can legislate.
In India, residuary powers rest with the
1. states
2. local governments
3. Union
4. Supreme Court
Show answer
Answer: (c) Union. Article 248 gives them to Parliament.
President's rule in a state is imposed under Article
1. 352
2. 356
3. 360
4. 370
Show answer
Answer: (b) 356. It applies when constitutional machinery fails.
The case that limited misuse of Article 356 was
1. Kesavananda Bharati
2. Minerva Mills
3. Golaknath
4. S.R. Bommai
Show answer
Answer: (d) S.R. Bommai. It was decided in 1994.
Why is India called a federation with a strong centre
1. the Constitution divides powers but gives the Union an upper hand through several provisions
2. states have no powers
3. there is no constitution
4. governors are elected
Show answer
Answer: (a) the Constitution divides powers but gives the Union an upper hand through several provisions. Unity and integrity were priorities.
Which body recommends the distribution of tax revenue between the Union and states
1. Election Commission
2. Finance Commission
3. UPSC
4. Planning Commission only
Show answer
Answer: (b) Finance Commission. It is set up under Article 280.

All chapters of Class 11 Political Science

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.