Introduction to Power Sharing for Class 10

Power Sharing is the first and one of the most important chapters in CBSE Class 10 Social Science (Political Science) curriculum. It explores how power is distributed among different organs of government and across different social groups in modern democracies. The practice of sharing power helps prevent conflicts, ensures balanced governance, and strengthens democratic institutions. By solving previous year questions (PYQs) from board exams, students can boost their understanding and score more in the Social Science paper.

The chapter covers topics such as the need for power sharing, its forms, and real‑world case studies from countries like Belgium and Sri Lanka. Understanding PYQs of this chapter is critical for exam success.

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

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What are PYQs and Why They Matter

Previous Year Questions (PYQs) are actual questions asked in CBSE board exams in past years. Solving PYQs lets students:
• Understand the trend of questions asked on a topic.
• Identify the most repeated questions that may appear again.
• Practice board‑style answers that help in writing perfect answers in exams.
• Improve time management and confidence.

Solving PYQs is one of the best ways to prepare scientifically and smartly for the board exams.

Power Sharing — PYQs Overview

Below are the types of questions typically asked under Power Sharing in previous CBSE board exams (examples based on PYQs from past years).

Very Short Questions

These are typically 1‑mark questions such as:
• Why is power sharing desirable?
• In which country is community government practiced?
• What is majoritarianism?

Example PYQ:
Q. Why is power sharing desirable?
A. Power sharing is desirable because it reduces the possibility of conflict between social groups and helps in maintaining political stability.

Short Answer Questions

Usually 3‑mark questions that require explanation:
• Explain the forms of power sharing.
• Compare power sharing in Belgium and Sri Lanka.

Example:
Q. What are the different forms of power sharing in modern democracies?
A. The forms include horizontal distribution of power (among government organs), vertical distribution (between central and state governments), and community based power sharing.

Long Answer Questions

These are the detailed 5‑mark questions requiring in‑depth explanation:
• Why power sharing is the very spirit of democracy.
• How Sri Lanka and Belgium applied different power sharing models.
Answers to these demonstrate higher understanding of concepts.

Important Sub Topics for Power Sharing

Understanding these sub topics helps in answering PYQs more effectively:

1. Need for Power Sharing

Power sharing prevents the concentration of power in one group or person, which avoids domination, reduces conflict, and ensures better representation of all groups.

2. Forms of Power Sharing

There are several key forms:
• Horizontal power sharing: Among different branches of government (Legislature, Executive, Judiciary).
• Vertical power sharing: Division of powers among different levels of government (Centre, State, Local).
• Community power sharing: Power shared among different social groups or linguistic communities.

3. Case Study: Belgium

Belgium’s power sharing model is designed to accommodate linguistic and cultural differences by distributing powers between regions and communities. This has helped to reduce conflicts and promote harmony.

4. Case Study: Sri Lanka

Power sharing issues in Sri Lanka show challenges when one group dominates government decisions, leading to increased tensions and demands for autonomy from minority groups.

How to Practice PYQs Effectively

• Start with very short and short answer questions.
• Move on to longer questions to practice structured answering.
• Time your practice to simulate real exam conditions.
• Check and revise answers to avoid repeating mistakes.

Students should also revise NCERT textbook questions and compare with PYQs for complete preparation.

Tips for Exam Day

• Read questions carefully.
• Allocate time for long and short answers.
• Structure long answers with clear points and examples.
• Include case study references where relevant.

Conclusion

Class 10 Power Sharing is a foundation chapter in Political Science syllabus for Social Science. Practicing chapter‑wise PYQs with solutions is essential for mastering concepts and scoring well in board exams. Using resources like Studentbro.in (search for Power Sharing PYQs) and other educational portals enhances preparation and helps students revise more effectively.