Federalism is a lengthy, conceptually dense chapter. There are lots of conceptual topics, difficult to learn, revise, and memorise.
Moreover, CBSE has started asking more difficult questions and is checking students’ analytical and understanding skills. And to excel on that, you need to have all the keywords of Chapter 2, Federalism, at your fingertips.
“Federalism Short Notes Class 10” is what you need to master Chapter 2 of Democratic Politics-II for class 10.
Happy Learning!
What is federalism?
Federal VS Unitary
Belgium → Federal
- Regional govt. got constitutional powers
- Shifted from a
unitary → federal system
Sri Lanka → Unitary
- National govt. – All powers
- Center can withdraw regional powers
- Tamil leaders demand a federal system
Federalism: Main Idea Definition
Power is divided between the central authority + constituent units
- Two levels of government:
- Central: sees common national interest
- State/Provincial: handles day-to-day state administration
- Both are independent; neither can order the other.
Both are separately answerable to the people.
Federal vs Unitary: At a Glance
| The centre cannot order the state | Federal | Unitary |
|---|---|---|
| Levels | Two independent | One or subordinate |
| Power source | Constitutional | Central-delegated |
| Control | Center cannot order state | The center cannot order the state |
Key Features Of Federalism
1. Two or more tiers of government
2. Same citizens, different jurisdictions: each tier has its own powers in legislation, taxation, and administration
3. Constitutionally specified jurisdictions: existence + authority of each tier guaranteed
4. No unilateral changes: fundamental provisions require consent of both levels
5. Courts as umpire: the highest court interprets the constitution + resolves inter-governmental disputes
6. Financial autonomy: revenue sources clearly assigned to each level
7. Dual objectives: promote national unity + accommodate regional diversity → requires mutual trust + power-sharing agreement
Two Federation Types
| Type | How Formed | Examples | Power Distribution |
|---|---|---|---|
| Coming Together | Independent states pool sovereignty, retain identity | USA, Switzerland, Australia | States equal + strong vs federal govt |
| Holding Together | Large country divides power between states + center | India, Spain, Belgium | Center more powerful; states may have unequal/special powers |
What makes India a federal country?
A. Constitutional
Foundation
- India – Union of States;
federal principles adopted. - Originally two-tier: Union + State governments
- Later added a third tier:
Panchayats + Municipalities - Each tier enjoys separate jurisdiction
B. Legislative Powers: Three-List System
Union List
(national importance)
Union Government alone makes laws
Subjects:
defence
foreign affairs
banking
communications
currency
State List
(state/local importance)
State Governments alone make laws
Subjects:
police
trade
commerce
agriculture
irrigation
Concurrent List
(common interest)
Both can make laws; Union law prevails in conflict
Subjects:
education
forest
trade unions
marriage
adoption
succession
Residuary subjects
(e.g., computer software)
Union Government has exclusive power
Subjects:
Anything not under the other three lists
C. Unequal Powers Among Units
1. Special status states
Article 371
●Assam ●Nagaland ●Arunachal Pradesh ●Mizoram
▶Special powers for
land rights, culture, and preferential government employment.
▶Non-permanent residents
cannot buy land/house
2. Union Territories
●Chandigarh ●Lakshadweep ●Delhi
Very limited powers; the Central Government administers directly
D. Safeguards for Federal Structure
1. Rigid amendment process
Passed by both Houses
with a 2/3 majority.
Ratified by the legislatures
of at least half the States
2. Judiciary as umpire
High Courts + Supreme Court resolve disputes on power division
3. Financial autonomy
Union + State Governments can levy taxes to fund assigned responsibilities
How is federalism practised?
Foundation
Constitutional provisions + democratic politics
Shared ideals
spirit of federalism, respect for diversity, desire to live together
1. Linguistic States
same language
Same state
culture/ethnicity/geography:
Nagaland, Uttarakhand, Jharkhand
Initial fear:
linguistic States → disintegration,
Therefore, the centre resisted.
Outcome:
actually made the country more united + administration easier
2. Language Policy
⇒21 Scheduled languages recognised
⇒Central govt. exams in any Scheduled language
⇒States use their own official language
⇒English for official use was stopped in 1965
↪Tamil Nadu Protested
↦Compromise: English + Hindi continue officially
⇒Policy: Promote Hindi, but no imposition on States
3. Centre-State Relations
Power-sharing depends on how the ruling parties follow the arrangements
Early years:
- Same party ruled Centre + most States → States didn’t exercise autonomous rights
- When the State party ≠ Centre: Centre misused the Constitution to dismiss State Govts → weakened federalism
Post-1990 transformation:
- Rise of regional parties
- Coalition era at the Centre
- Alliances needed for govt formation
- Culture: power-sharing + State autonomy
- Supreme Court of India curbed arbitrary dismissals
- Result: stronger federalism today
Decentralisation in India
Why
Decentralisation?
- India is too large for 2 tiers
- Big states
- Internal diversity within States
- Need power-sharing within States
- Solution: third tier (local govt)
- Need power-sharing within States
What is Decentralisation?
Power taken from Central/State → given to local government
Basic idea:
- Local issues solved locally
- People know their needs + spending priorities
- Direct participation → builds democracy
- Principle: local self-government
local government (Pre-1992)
Panchayats (villages) + Municipalities (urban) set up in all States
Limitations:
- Under the State govt. control
- Irregular elections
- No independent powers/resources
→ Weak decentralisation
1992 Constitutional Amendment: Key Changes
- Regular local elections mandatory
- Reservations: SC/ST/OBC + 1/3 women
- Independent State Election Commission
- State govts. share powers + revenue
Rural Local Government: Panchayati Raj Structure
Gram Panchayat
(village/group of villages)
- Council: ward members
(panch) + president (sarpanch) - Directly elected by adult population
- Decision-making body for entire village
Gram Sabha:
- All voters in the village
- Meets 2-3 times/year to
approve budget + review performance
Panchayat Samiti
/Block/Mandal:
- Group of gram panchayats
- Members elected by the
panchayat members
Zilla Parishad
(district level):
- All panchayat samitis in district
- Most members elected + Lok Sabha/MLAs/officials
- Chairperson = political head
Urban Local Government
| Area Type | Local Body | Political Head |
|---|---|---|
| Towns | Municipality | Municipal Chairperson |
| Big Cities | Municipal Corporation | Mayor |
Both are controlled by elected representative bodies
Impact + Challenges
- Positive outcomes:
- Constitutional status → deepened democracy
- Increased women’s representation + voice
Persistent difficulties:
- Gram sabhas – not held regularly despite regular elections
- Most state govt. haven’t transferred significant powers to local bodies
- Inadequate resources allocated
- → Still far from the ideal of real self-government
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