ARMY PUBLIC SCHOOL,CHENNAI.

CLASS :11 CHAPTER –FEDERALISM –political science

Q1.  what are the characteristics of federalism?

A1.  The characteristics of federalism are:
a. It is an institutional mechanism to accomodate two sets of polities - one at the regional level and other at
the national level.
b.  The people have two sets of identities and loyalties. each level of polity has distinct powers and
responsibilities and has a separate system.
c.  the details of the dual system of government are spelt out in the written constitution, which is
considered to be supreme and is also the source of power of both sets of government.
d. to prevent conflicts between centre and state , there is an independent judiciary to settle disputes. 
Q2.  what other factors besides politics keep the federations united?
A2.  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
federations.

Q3. Give an example where trust deficit is leading to problems in federalism?

A1. Nigeria .
Q2. Explain the federation problems in nigeria?
A2.  Till 1914, there were two colonies of british : northern nigeria and southern nigeria. After the
independence, nigerian leaders decided to form a federal constitution at ibadan constitutional conference.  
so three major ethnic groups of nigeria controlled their own regions- yoruba controlled west, ibo controlled
east and hausa - faulani controlled north.  And when these groups tried to spread their influence in other
regions,it failed and it led to fears and conflicts. military regime was established. In 1979, no state was
allowed to have any civil police. military regime finally gave way to democracy in 1999, religious
differences and conflicts over who will control revenues from oil resources continue to be present. 
Therefore, nigeria is an example where religious, ethnic and economic differences is leading to problems
in a federation.

Q4What is the nature of our federal system?

  our federal system is based on the principles of unity and cooperation between centre and states and
separate powers to the states. therefore, our constitution recognises diversity and emphasies unity.
Q5.   What does Article 1 says? 
. Article 1 (1) says that india, that is bharat, shall be a union of states.  (2) says that the states and territories
thereof shall be as specified in the first schedule.
Q6. Why did our national leaders thought of centralised federal system?
. India is a diverse land with many languages, culture, religions and regions.it was necessary to give
recognition to them. and also india is a  large country, so it was important   to divide powers between
provinces and central government.  that is why our national leaders thought of federal system. but they
wanted unity and cooperation between states. so they gave us a centralised federal system.

Q7. What are the two levels of government in our political system?
A1. our political system has two levels of government:
a. national level.
b. state level.
Q8. What are residuary powers?
.subjects which do not come in any of the lists come under residuary powers. union legislature alone has
the power to legislate on such matters.
for example: cyber laws
Q3. list some subjects which come under union list?
A3. currency and coinage, foreign trade, defense , atomic energy
Q4. list some subjects which come under state list?
A4. police, prison, agriculture and state public services
Q5. list some subjects which come under concurrent list?
A5. education , forests
Q6.  list some subjects which come under residuary list?
A6. cyber laws

Q&A
Q1.  Why did India adopt federalism with strong central government?
A1.the reasons for which india adopted federalism with strong central government:
a.  India is a diverse country. So, there was a need of federalism which will accomodate the demands of all
diversities. But at the same time it require a strong central government that will stop disintegration and
bring about social and political change.
b.  At the time of independence , india was not only divided into provinces by the british but there were
more than 500 princely states which had to be integrated into existing states or new states had to be
created.
c.   Besides unity as a factor, India needed to tackle socio- economic problems of the country. It required to
eliminate poverty, illiteracy and inequalities of wealth. So it required strong central government  in
cooperation with states for development. 

Q&A
Q1. What provisions in indian constitution make our federalism with a strong central government?
A1.  a.  Formation of states or merger of states of two or more states into one is in the hands of Parliament.
the parliament has powers to form a new state or merge with old states or change the name of any state
b.  Our centre has important and powerful emergency powers which can turn a federal system into highly
centralised. During emergency, parliament takes the power of states from state list.
c.  under normal conditions, centre has important financial powers. items generating revenue are under the
control of central government. therefore, centre has many financial resources and states are dependent on
grants and financial resources from centre. 
d.  in terms of planning and development of the entire country, it adopted centralisation. planning
commission was appointed by union government that will control, supervise and manage the resources of
states. and union government uses its discretion to give grants and loans to states. 
e.  the position of governor in states is also a sign of centralisation. the governor can recommend dismissal
of state government and dissolution of assembly. he also has the power to keep  the bill with himself rather
than passing to president for his assent.
f.  there may be situations where the centre needs to legislate in the state list. this can happen if the rajya
sabha agrees. the constitution clearly says that executive power of centre is superior than executive power
of states.  Article 257(1) is a case in point.
g. the central government may choose to give instructions to the state government. 
h.  we are also having an all india services.these officers are under control of central government but serve
in the administration of states. states cannot remove these officers nor can take disciplinary action. 
i. Articles 33 and 34 authorise parliament to protect officers of union or states if these officers have taken
any action during the martial law to maintain peace and order. 
Q2. How has central government controlled financial resources of states?
A2.  the central government has effective financial resources. firstly, intems geenrating revenue are under
the control of central government. therefore, central government has many revenue sources and states are
depndent on grants and financial assistance from centre. Secondly, union also appointed planning
commission for the socio economic progress  and development of the country. This led to centralisation
where the planning commission coordinated, controlled and supervised the resources of the states. 
Q3. how does position of governor led to centralisation of resources?
A3. governor has powers to recommend the dismissal of state  government and dissolution of state
assembly. in normal circumstances also, governor has the power to reserve a bill passed by state legislature
for theassent of the president. this gives the central government an oppurtunity to delay the state legislation
and examine bills and veto them              
Q4. How has all india services centralised our federal system?
A4. The all india services are common to the entire territory of india and officers selected serve in the
states. states on the other hand cannot take disciplinary action nor can they remove these officers from
service. 
Q5. what is articles 33 and 34?
A5. articles 33 and 34 authorises the parliament to protect the persons in the service of nation or a state in
respect of any action taken by them during martial law to maintain law and order. 
Q1. How the position of governor has centralised our federalism? 
A1. The position of governor has centralised our federalism. The governor is not an elected office and
many governors have been retired military officers or civil servants or politicians. The appointment of
governor has been by central government. So governor is seen as an interference in the affairs of state.
Article 356 has also been used by centre to assert its control over the state. This article provides for
president's rule in any state. It means that if the government of the state cannot be carried in accordance of
the provisions of the constitution then the president's rule is declared. And the state government is taken
over by union government. And alongwith this Governor also has the power to dismiss the state
government or suspend it. This power has been misused and in many cases state governments were
dismissed even when they had majority for example: in Kerala in 1959, Andhra Pradesh and Jammu and
Kashmir in 1980s.
Q2. What is sarkaria commission?
A2. Sarkaria commission was the commission which was appointed in 1983 to look into the centre-state
relations.
Q3. What was the recommendation of sarkaria commission?
A3. The recommendation of sarkaria commission was that appointments of governors should be strictly
non partisan. 
Q4. Why was Sarkaria commission appointed?
A5. After the decline in the dominance of Congress in the states, states started demanding autonomy and
less interference in their state's affairs. Centre state relations were leading to constant source of tensions.
That is why sarkaria commission was appointed.
Q6. What is article 356?
A6. Article 356 says that if a situation has arisen in which the government of the state cannot be carried in
accordance with the provisions of the constitution, president's rule can be declared in that state.
Q1. Why was states reorganisation commission formed?
A1. States Reorganisation commission was formed in 1954 to recommend creation of states on the
linguistic basis. 
Q2. On what basis has the states been formed?
A2. In 1950s , states were formed on the basis of language. For example: haryana and punjab in 1966,
gujarat and maharashtra in 1960. But after 1990s states are being formed on the need for development. For
example: Jharkhand, Uttaranchal and Chattisgarh in 1990s. 
Q3. How did demand of new states become the source of conflict for federalism?
A3. Demand of new states became the source of conflict for federalism because in 1950s many groups rose
to demand statehood for preserving their culture and identity. And post 1990s, new states have been
demanded on the basis of development.
Q4. When was gujarat and maharashtra formed?
A4. In 1960
Q5. When was haryana separated from punjab?
A5. In 1966
Q1.  Why did India adopt federalism with strong central government?
A1.the reasons for which india adopted federalism with strong central government:
a.  India is a diverse country. So, there was a need of federalism which will accomodate the demands of all
diversities. But at the same time it require a strong central government that will stop disintegration and
bring about social and political change. 
b.  At the time of independence , india was not only divided into provinces by the british but there were
more than 500 princely states which had to be integrated into existing states or new states had to be
created.
c.   Besides unity as a factor, India needed to tackle socio- economic problems of the country. It required to
eliminate poverty, illiteracy and inequalities of wealth. So it required strong central government  in
cooperation with states for development.