Chapter 2: Federalism - NCERT Class 10 Democratic Politics-II Type Description Real-Life Example

Comprehensive, Organized Analysis (Aligned with Latest Edition) Coming Together Independent states unite voluntarily USA, Switzerland, Australia

Holding Together Central power divides with sub-units India, Spain, Belgium

INTRODUCTION TO FEDERALISM
AI-Generated Example:
Core Concept:
Scenario: 5 independent nations (A-E) face security threats. They form a federation ("United
Federalism is a governance system where power is divided between a central authority (Union
States of A-E") pooling defense resources while retaining regional autonomy → Coming
Government) and regional units (State Governments). It balances national unity with regional
Together.
diversity.
Scenario: Large nation "X" faces regional revolts. It grants autonomy to provinces (e.g., language
Why Federalism? rights) → Holding Together.

Objective 1: Accommodate linguistic, cultural, and regional diversity (e.g., India, Belgium).

Objective 2: Ensure shared rule for collective security and economic cooperation (e.g., USA,
PART 2: WHAT MAKES INDIA A FEDERAL COUNTRY?
Australia).

Constitutional Framework

1. Three-Tier Power Distribution:

PART 1: WHAT IS FEDERALISM?
Union List (97 Subjects): National importance (Defense, Foreign Affairs).
Key Features State List (66 Subjects): Regional importance (Police, Agriculture).

1. Multiple Government Tiers: Concurrent List (47 Subjects): Shared jurisdiction (Education, Forest).

Central + State Governments operate simultaneously. Residuary Powers: Centre legislates on new subjects (e.g., Cyber Laws).
2. Rigid Amendment Process:
Example: Indian Union Government (defense) + State Government (education).

2. Constitutionally Defined Jurisdiction: Changes to power division require Parliament + 50% State ratification.

Each tier’s powers specified in the Constitution. 3. Judicial Arbitration:

Supreme Court resolves Centre-State conflicts.

Example: Union List (97 subjects), State List (66 subjects).
3. Independent Judiciary: Unitary Features (Why India is "Quasi-Federal")
Courts resolve disputes between government tiers.
Centre’s Overriding Powers:
Example: Supreme Court interprets constitutional provisions.
Parliament can alter state boundaries (Article 3).
4. Rigid Constitution:
Emergency provisions centralize power.
Fundamental provisions require dual consent (Centre + States) for amendments.
Governor’s Role: Appointed by Centre; acts as state-level agent.
Types of Federations All India Services (IAS/IPS): Centre-controlled bureaucracy in states.

Financial Control: Centre dominates resource distribution.

Real-Life Example: Cartoon Analysis (NCERT Pg. 18):

Telangana Formation (2014): Parliament redrew Andhra Pradesh’s boundaries → Demonstrates Visual: State Minister complains about Centre’s interference.
Centre’s unilateral power. Message: Highlights tension in Centre-State relations during one-party rule.

PART 3: HOW IS FEDERALISM PRACTICED? PART 4: DECENTRALISATION IN INDIA

1. Linguistic States (Post-1947) Why Decentralise?

Rationale: Prevent Balkanization; accommodate linguistic identity. Grassroots Democracy: Solve local issues locally (e.g., water scarcity).

Process: Mass Participation: Marginalized groups (SC/ST/Women) gain representation.

1. 1956: States Reorganisation Act created Andhra Pradesh (Telugu).

Constitutionalisation (73rd & 74th Amendments, 1992)
2. Later additions: Gujarat (1960), Nagaland (1963), Punjab (1966).
Key Provisions:
Impact: Reduced separatist movements; strengthened democracy.

1. Three-Tier Structure:
AI-Generated Example:
Rural: Gram Panchayat → Block Panchayat → Zila Parishad.
Scenario: Tamil-majority regions demand statehood. Government forms Tamil Nadu (1969) →
Urban: Municipal Council → Municipal Corporation → Nagar Panchayat.
Cultural pride preserved, administrative efficiency improved.
2. Reservations:
2. Language Policy SC/ST: Proportional to population.

Official Language: Hindi (Centre), English (associate official). Women: 33% seats (raised to 50% in 20+ states).

Scheduled Languages: 22 recognized languages; states free to choose official language. 3. State Institutions:

Flexibility: No imposition of Hindi on non-Hindi states (e.g., Tamil Nadu). Election Commission: Conducts local body polls.

Finance Commission: Recommends fund allocation.

Visual Aid (Pie Chart - NCERT Pg. 17):
Real-Life Success Story:
Hindi Speakers: 44% (2011 Census).

Non-Hindi Majority States: Tamil Nadu (Tamil), West Bengal (Bengali). Kerala’s People’s Plan Campaign (1996):

Gram Sabhas allocated 40% state budget → Built schools, clinics, wells.
3. Centre-State Relations
Result: Literacy ↑ 90%; infant mortality ↓ 50%.
Phase 1 (1950s-1990s):

Congress dominance → Centralized decision-making.

Phase 2 (Post-1990s):
MIND MAPS & KEYWORDS
Coalition governments (e.g., NDA, UPA) → Regional parties influence policy.
Mind Map 1: Federalism Framework
Example: DMK (Tamil Nadu) in UPA-I ensured state-friendly policies.

text
 FEDERALISM
├── Types: Coming Together (USA) / Holding Together (India)
├── Features:
│ ├── Multiple Government Tiers
│ ├── Constitutional Jurisdiction
│ └── Independent Judiciary
└── India’s Structure:
├── Union, State, Concurrent Lists
└── Unitary Features (Governor, Article 3)

Mind Map 2: Decentralisation

text

DECENTRALISATION
├── 73rd/74th Amendments (1992)
├── Rural: Gram Panchayat → Block → Zila
├── Urban: Municipality → Corporation
├── Reservations: SC/ST/Women
└── Functions: Sanitation, Roads, Schools

Keywords Glossary:

Federalism: Power division between Centre-States.

Jurisdiction: Legally defined authority.

Residuary Powers: Centre’s exclusive right over new subjects.

Coalition Government: Multi-party ruling alliance.

Gram Sabha: Village-level direct democracy forum