Federalism — Class 10 MCQs with Answers
Class 10 CBSE Civics · Chapter 2
62 practice questions · 20 Easy · 22 Medium · 20 Hard · Updated
Jump to the 6 solved questions
Practise the most important Class 10 CBSE Civics questions from Chapter 2, "Federalism". You get 6 timed quizzes made from 62 NCERT-based MCQs, with answers and explanations. The questions are split into 20 Easy, 22 Medium and 20 Hard. Warm up on the basics, then move on to the exam-level questions that top scorers in CBSE Board exams get right.
To score well in "Federalism", focus on dates, cause and effect, and reading maps and sources. Each MCQ here is timed and uses exam-style marking (+4 correct, −1 wrong, 0 skipped). This helps you stay accurate when time is short, just as real papers need. Every question has a short explanation, so a wrong answer becomes a quick lesson. It is the fastest way to fix gaps before a test.
Use this chapter for focused revision. Start with the Easy set to check your basics on Federalism, then move to Medium and Hard to practise applying them. Your accuracy, streaks and XP save automatically. This chapter also adds to your overall Class 10 Civics mastery score. Try the 6 sample questions below: tap an option to see the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in free to start practising.
Federalism — important questions & MCQs with answers (Class 10 Civics)
6 solved questions from this chapter's difficulty levels, each with its answer and explanation. Tap an option to check yourself.
0 of 6 answered
- Q1 of 6Easy
Federalism is:
Show answerHide answer
Answer: Division of powers between central and regional governments
Explanation: Two/more tiers, each with its own jurisdiction.
- Q2 of 6Easy
The Indian Constitution has ___ lists for division of powers.
Show answerHide answer
Answer: Three (Union, State, Concurrent)
Explanation: The Constitution provides a three-fold distribution of legislative powers between the Union and State Governments through three lists: the Union List, the State List and the Concurrent List.
- Q3 of 6Medium
The basic idea behind decentralisation is that:
Show answerHide answer
Answer: A large number of problems are best settled at the local level where people have better knowledge and a direct say
Explanation: Decentralisation brings government closer to ordinary people and strengthens democratic participation.
- Q4 of 6Medium
Why is India's language policy often described as flexible and accommodating?
Show answerHide answer
Answer: It recognised 22 scheduled languages and did not force Hindi on non-Hindi states, continuing the use of English
Explanation: Unlike Sri Lanka, India did not impose one language; flexibility helped keep the federation united.
- Q5 of 6Hard
Which is NOT a feature of federalism?
Show answerHide answer
Answer: All powers in one tier only
Explanation: Concentrating all power in one tier is unitary, not federal.
- Q6 of 6Hard
Assertion (A): The Indian Union is based on the principles of federalism. Reason (R): The Constitution declared India as a Union of States and did not use the word federation.
Show answerHide answer
Answer: Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A
Explanation: Both statements are true, but R does not explain A. India is federal because its Constitution divides powers between levels of government with separate jurisdictions, even though it did not use the word federation.
Federalism notes: key concepts (Class 10 Civics)
Federalism divides power between a central authority and constituent states, each with its own jurisdiction guaranteed by a written constitution. This chapter explains its features, how India divides subjects through three lists, the 1992 decentralisation to a third tier, and India's accommodating language policy.
| List | Subjects | Who makes laws |
|---|---|---|
| Union List | Defence, foreign affairs, currency, banking | Union government only |
| State List | Police, trade, agriculture | State governments only |
| Concurrent List | Education, forests | Both; if laws clash, the Union law prevails |
| Residuary subjects | Not in any list, e.g. computer software | Union government |
| Coming together | Holding together | |
|---|---|---|
| How it forms | Independent states unite by choice | A large country divides power between Centre and states |
| Units | Usually equally strong, with strong autonomy | Centre usually stronger; units unequal |
| Examples | USA, Switzerland, Australia | India, Spain, Belgium |
| Level | Body | Key fact |
|---|---|---|
| Village | Gram panchayat (with the gram sabha) | Gram sabha meets at least twice or thrice a year to approve the budget |
| Block | Panchayat samiti | Members elected by all the panchayat members in that area |
| District | Zilla parishad | Most members elected; Lok Sabha members and MLAs of the district also members |
| Town or city | Municipality; municipal corporation | Political head: chairperson; in a corporation, the mayor |
- 1947India begins its journey as a democracy
- 1956States reorganised on the basis of language
- 1965Use of English for official purposes was due to stop
- Before 1990Centre often dismissed State Governments run by rival parties
- After 1990Rise of regional parties and coalition governments; more respect for State autonomy
- 199273rd and 74th Amendments make local government a constitutional third tier
- Federalism
- A system with two or more levels of government sharing power over the same people; each level has its own domain, guaranteed by a written constitution.
- Three lists
- The Union List (defence, foreign affairs, currency), the State List (police, trade, agriculture) and the Concurrent List (education, forests) divide subjects.
- Residuary powers
- Subjects not in any list (like computer software, unknown to the makers) fall to the Union government, which holds residuary law-making power.
- Concurrent List conflict
- Both Centre and states can legislate on Concurrent subjects; if their laws clash, the Union law prevails over the state law.
- Coming-together federation
- Independent states unite by choice, keeping equal power and strong autonomy — e.g. USA, Switzerland, Australia; contrasts with India's model.
- Holding-together federation
- A large country divides power between the Centre and states, with the Centre usually stronger and units unequal — e.g. India, Spain, Belgium.
- Linguistic states (1956)
- States were reorganised on the basis of language in 1956; far from splitting India, this accommodation actually strengthened national unity.
- Language policy
- Hindi is the official language but 22 languages are recognised in the Eighth Schedule; no single language was made the sole national language.
- Decentralisation
- Powers are taken from Union and state governments and given to local bodies, on the idea that local people solve local problems best.
- 73rd & 74th Amendments (1992)
- Made a constitutional third tier: elected panchayats (rural) and municipalities (urban) with reserved seats and regular elections.
- Reservations in local bodies
- Seats in panchayats and municipalities are reserved for SCs, STs and OBCs, and at least one-third of all seats are reserved for women.
- State Election Commission
- An independent State Election Commission conducts panchayat and municipal elections; state governments share revenue and powers with local bodies.
Start this chapter free
You have 6 to try above. Sign in with Google (no card needed). You get 1 Easy + 1 Medium quiz on every chapter, free for good (up to 6 quizzes a day) — plus a free Hard quiz when you score 70%+ on a Medium quiz (1 per subject), and the exam tips.
This chapter has 62 questions (20 Easy · 22 Medium · 20 Hard), with timed scoring and instant feedback. The rest unlock with the ₹999/year plan.
Start with the questions above. The full quiz opens here after.
Federalism — FAQs
What are the key concepts in Class 10 Civics Federalism?+
Federalism divides power between a central authority and constituent states, each with its own jurisdiction guaranteed by a written constitution. This chapter explains its features, how India divides subjects through three lists, the 1992 decentralisation to a third tier, and India's accommodating language policy. Key ideas include Federalism, Three lists, Residuary powers, Concurrent List conflict, Coming-together federation, Holding-together federation.
What does Class 10 Civics Chapter 2 (Federalism) cover on XamBaaz?+
It has 62 NCERT-based MCQs on "Federalism": 20 Easy, 22 Medium and 20 Hard. Together they make 6 timed quizzes, and you never get the same set twice. Every question has an instant explanation. They help you prepare for CBSE Board exams.
Are these "Federalism" questions free to practise?+
Yes. Sign in with Google to practise "Federalism" free. Full unlimited access is ₹999/year. One year from the day you pay. You stay in Class 10 till 31 March; on 1 April your account moves up to Class 11 and the rest of your year carries over. No chapter is charged separately.
How should I revise "Federalism" for the exam?+
Start with the Easy quiz to check your basics, then try Medium and Hard to practise applying them. There are 6 timed quizzes on this chapter, so you can come back for a fresh set instead of one you have seen. Read each explanation, retry the questions you miss, and track your accuracy until it stays high.
Are these "Federalism" MCQs available with answers?+
Yes. 6 sample questions are on this page with answers: tap an option, or "Show answer", to see the correct option and a step-by-step explanation. Sign in free with Google to start practising, with instant scoring.
Is there negative marking in the "Federalism" quizzes?+
Yes. The timed quizzes use exam-style marking: +4 for a right answer, −1 for a wrong one and 0 for a skip. MHT-CET and CBSE board papers have no negative marking. Our mocks for those are scored their way.
What are the important questions from Federalism (Class 10 Civics)?+
The questions that matter most test Federalism, Three lists, Residuary powers, Concurrent List conflict, Coming-together federation, Holding-together federation. This page shows 6 solved important MCQs with answers and explanations. Sign in to practise all 62 questions on the chapter as timed quizzes.
Is there an online quiz for Federalism?+
Yes — Class 10 Civics Federalism has timed online quizzes at Easy, Medium and Hard levels, with instant scoring and a worked explanation on every question. The first quiz on the chapter is free.
Are there question answers and extra questions for Federalism (Class 10 Civics)?+
Yes. This page has 6 solved questions on Federalism, each with the correct answer and a short explanation. Sign in to practise all 62 questions on the chapter as timed quizzes.
Are there assertion–reason and case study questions for Federalism (Class 10 Civics)?+
Yes. The Federalism question bank has 7 assertion–reason questions and 3 case-based (case study) questions in the CBSE board format, alongside the regular MCQs. Each comes with the answer and a worked explanation. Sign in to practise them in timed quizzes.