Introduction to Federalism in Class 10 Social Science

Federalism is the second chapter in the CBSE Class 10 Political Science (Social Science) syllabus and is one of the most important chapters for board exam preparation. In this chapter, students learn about the federal system of government where power is divided between a central authority and various constituent units or states, and why such a structure is necessary in diverse societies. Federalism ensures balanced governance, protects regional identities, and distributes powers across multiple levels of government.

Examining previous year questions (PYQs) for this chapter helps students understand how questions are framed in the CBSE board exam and what areas are usually tested. It also improves speed, accuracy, and confidence in answering questions during the actual exam.

Direct Links to Download CBSE STD-10 Chapter Wise Previous Year Paper Political Science (PDF) 

► Click “Download Here” next to your subject to access the free PDF. 

Studentbro.in Link for Federalism PYQs

While specific direct PYQ links for Federalism may vary, you can use the search on Studentbro.in to find Federalism chapter‑wise question sets, solutions, and other practice materials:

Studentbro.in Download Link for Federalism : Download Here

Use this link to quickly locate Federalism‑related past questions and solved examples on Studentbro.in.

Overview of Federalism Chapter

Federalism is a system of government which seeks to balance unity and diversity by dividing power between a central government and lower levels like states and local bodies. India’s Constitution establishes this division, ensuring that responsibilities, powers, and jurisdictions are clearly defined for each level.

Students are expected to understand key concepts like:
• What federalism means
• Features of a federal system
• How federalism is practiced in India
• Role of decentralization and local self‑government
• Differences between federal and unitary systems

Exam questions often require definitions, explanations, comparisons, and examples to test a student’s depth of understanding.

Chapter‑wise PYQs for Federalism

Very Short Answer Questions (1 Mark)

These are typically direct questions that expect short definitions or facts. Students should learn concise answers that can be written in one or two lines.

Examples of recent PYQs:
• What is federalism?
Answer: Federalism is a system of government where power is constitutionally divided between a central authority and constituent units or states.

• Which state in India had its own constitution originally?
Answer: Jammu and Kashmir.

• What is rural local self‑government popularly known as?
Answer: Panchayati Raj.

These types of questions help ensure that students understand the basic facts and definitions related to Federalism.

Short Answer Questions (3 Marks)

These questions require a brief explanation or description.

Typical examples:
• Explain the vertical division of power with examples from India.
Students should write how power is shared between the Union Government, State Governments, and local bodies like Panchayats and Municipalities — highlighting how each level has specific jurisdiction.

• Describe any five features of federalism.
This may cover multiple aspects such as two or more levels of government, constitutionally defined jurisdictions, judicial role, dual objectives of federalism, and financial autonomy.

Short answer questions test not just recall but understanding of the concept and its application in a practical context.

Long Answer Questions (5 Marks)

These questions require detailed explanations, examples, comparisons, and sometimes case study references.

Examples of long‑form questions:
• Explain the key features of federalism and how it promotes democracy?
An ideal answer should explain the meaning of Federalism, followed by features like constitutional division of power, autonomy of governments, and how this system empowers citizens and protects diversity while ensuring national unity.

• How is federalism practiced in India?
Students should discuss how India’s Constitution provides for a federal structure with a strong union, distribution of powers, and a judiciary that resolves disputes between levels of government. Mention examples like the State List, Union List, and Concurrent List.

These long questions test depth of knowledge and ability to structure detailed answers for board exams.

Important Subtopics Students Must Focus On

Understanding certain sub‑areas is key to scoring well in Federalism:

1. What is Federalism

Federalism refers to a political system in which power is divided among multiple levels of government, ensuring no one level has absolute control.

2. Features of Indian Federalism

Students should know features like:
• Two or more levels of government with separate jurisdictions
• Constitutional distribution of powers
• Independent judiciary to resolve disputes
• Financial autonomy for each level
• Mechanisms of cooperation between levels.

3. Decentralization and Local Bodies

Federalism in India extends beyond central and state governments to include local self‑government (Panchayats and Municipalities), particularly after constitutional amendments of 1992 that strengthened local governance.

Tips to Practice PYQs Effectively

• Start with most recent PYQs from reliable platforms; understand how questions are framed.
• Write full answers in practice to improve structure, clarity, and speed.
• Compare answers with standard solutions and refine where necessary.
• Use Studentbro.in search link for more Federalism question sets and structured practice.

Conclusion

The Federalism chapter is crucial in the CBSE Class 10 Political Science syllabus because it explains how power is shared and distributed in a democracy. Practising federalism PYQs helps students identify recurring patterns, sharpen their writing skills, and be confident on exam day. Use this guide along with resources from Studentbro.in to access chapter‑wise Federalism PYQs and improve your preparation for board exams.