Federalism

1. What does federalism mean?
(a) Distribution of power between the judiciary and legislature
(b) Division of power between central and state governments
(c) Centralization of power in a single authority
(d) Power-sharing between citizens and the government
Answer: (b) Division of power between central and state governments

2. Which country transitioned from a unitary to a federal government in 1993?
(a) Sri Lanka
(b) Belgium
(c) India
(d) Canada
Answer: (b) Belgium

3. How many countries in the world follow a federal political system?
(a) 193
(b) 50
(c) 25
(d) 75
Answer: (c) 25

4. What is one of the main objectives of federalism?
(a) Strengthen the powers of the central government
(b) Promote unity while respecting regional diversity
(c) Eliminate regional governments
(d) Create uniformity in all policies
Answer: (b) Promote unity while respecting regional diversity

5. The USA is an example of which type of federation?
(a) Holding-together federation
(b) Coming-together federation
(c) Unitary system
(d) Mixed federation
Answer: (b) Coming-together federation6. In a federal system, the powers of different levels of government are specified in the:

(a) Constitution
(b) Judiciary
(c) Executive orders
(d) Legislature
Answer: (a) Constitution

7. Which feature is essential in an ideal federal system?
(a) Centralized power
(b) Uniform language policy
(c) Mutual trust and agreement
(d) Dominance of a single party
Answer: (c) Mutual trust and agreement

8. The Indian Constitution declares India as a:
(a) Federal country
(b) Union of States
(c) Unitary country
(d) Confederation
Answer: (b) Union of States

9. What is the primary feature of a ‘coming-together’ federation?
(a) Central government has more power
(b) States have equal power
(c) Unequal distribution of resources
(d) Decentralization is absent
Answer: (b) States have equal power

10. What is the primary feature of a ‘holding-together’ federation?
(a) Uniform power distribution among all units
(b) Central government tends to be stronger
(c) No written constitution
(d) No power sharing
Answer: (b) Central government tends to be stronger

11. How many levels of government exist in a typical federal system?
(a) One
(b) Two or more
(c) Only central government
(d) Only local government
Answer: (b) Two or more

12. What term describes the legal authority of a government over its geographical area or subjects?
(a) Jurisdiction
(b) Constitutionality
(c) Governance
(d) Federalism
Answer: (a) Jurisdiction

13. Which of the following is included in the Union List in India?
(a) Police
(b) Agriculture
(c) Defence
(d) Trade
Answer: (c) Defence

14. How are disputes regarding the division of powers resolved in India?
(a) Parliament decision
(b) Supreme Court decision
(c) Executive orders
(d) State legislature decision
Answer: (b) Supreme Court decision

15. Which feature of the Indian Constitution ensures financial autonomy for different levels of government?
(a) Clear revenue sources
(b) Uniform tax structure
(c) Centralized budgeting
(d) Common monetary policy
Answer: (a) Clear revenue sources

16. What term is used to describe local self-government in rural India?
(a) Zilla Parishad
(b) Gram Sabha
(c) Panchayati Raj
(d) Municipal Corporation
Answer: (c) Panchayati Raj

17. In which year was the Indian Constitution amended to strengthen local governments?
(a) 1950
(b) 1976
(c) 1992
(d) 2005
Answer: (c) 1992

18. Which of the following countries does NOT follow a federal system?
(a) United States
(b) India
(c) Belgium
(d) Sri Lanka
Answer: (d) Sri Lanka

19. What is the role of the State Election Commission in India?
(a) Conducts state assembly elections
(b) Conducts elections for local government bodies
(c) Oversees parliamentary elections
(d) Regulates political parties
Answer: (b) Conducts elections for local government bodies

20. Which level of government is responsible for subjects on the Concurrent List in India?
(a) Union Government
(b) State Government
(c) Both Union and State Governments
(d) Local Governments
Answer: (c) Both Union and State Governments

21. How many languages are recognized in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution?
(a) 15
(b) 18
(c) 21
(d) 22
Answer: (d) 22

22. What happens if there is a conflict between Union and State laws on a Concurrent List subject?
(a) State law prevails
(b) Union law prevails
(c) Both laws are nullified
(d) Court decides which law prevails
Answer: (b) Union law prevails23. Which subject is NOT in the Union List in India?

(a) Defence
(b) Foreign Affairs
(c) Police
(d) Banking
Answer: (c) Police

24. Which list in the Indian Constitution includes subjects of national importance?
(a) State List
(b) Union List
(c) Concurrent List
(d) Residuary List
Answer: (b) Union List

25. What is the role of the judiciary in a federal system?
(a) To make laws
(b) To resolve disputes between levels of government
(c) To collect taxes
(d) To conduct elections
Answer: (b) To resolve disputes between levels of government

26. In which list would subjects like education and marriage be included?
(a) Union List
(b) State List
(c) Concurrent List
(d) Residuary List
Answer: (c) Concurrent List

27. Who has the power to legislate on residuary subjects in India?
(a) State Government
(b) Union Government
(c) Both Union and State Governments
(d) Local Governments
Answer: (b) Union Government

28. Which of the following states enjoys special status under Article 371 of the Indian Constitution?
(a) Tamil Nadu
(b) Nagaland
(c) Gujarat
(d) Karnataka
Answer: (b) Nagaland

29. The Panchayati Raj system was strengthened by which constitutional amendment?
(a) 42nd
(b) 73rd
(c) 86th
(d) 91st
Answer: (b) 73rd

30. How often must a gram sabha meet in a year?
(a) At least once
(b) At least twice
(c) At least three times
(d) At least five times
Answer: (c) At least three times

31. What is the elected head of a Zilla Parishad called?
(a) Mayor
(b) Sarpanch
(c) Chairperson
(d) Collector
Answer: (c) Chairperson

32. The main purpose of decentralization is to:
(a) Centralize power in local governments
(b) Transfer decision-making to lower levels of government
(c) Eliminate state governments
(d) Increase the powers of the judiciary
Answer: (b) Transfer decision-making to lower levels of government

33. Which is a key feature of a unitary government?
(a) Decentralization
(b) Centralized power
(c) Independent state governments
(d) Constitutional division of powers
Answer: (b) Centralized power

34. What was the primary goal of forming linguistic states in India?
(a) Cultural assimilation
(b) Administrative convenience
(c) Political stability
(d) Regional segregation
Answer: (b) Administrative convenience

35. How many languages were grouped together under ‘Hindi’ in the 2011 Census?
(a) 500
(b) 130
(c) 1000
(d) 1300
Answer: (d) 1300

36. In which year was the Indian Constitution implemented?
(a) 1947
(b) 1950
(c) 1952
(d) 1965
Answer: (b) 1950

37. What term describes the division of powers between Union and State Governments in India?
(a) Unitary system
(b) Federal structure
(c) Democratic governance
(d) Coalition politics
Answer: (b) Federal structure

38. Which country is an example of a ‘holding-together’ federation?
(a) United States
(b) Switzerland
(c) India
(d) Australia
Answer: (c) India

39. What is the role of the Mayor in a Municipal Corporation?
(a) Political head
(b) Administrative head
(c) Judicial head
(d) Financial head
Answer: (a) Political head

40. Which amendment added a third tier of governance in India?
(a) 42nd Amendment
(b) 73rd Amendment
(c) 52nd Amendment
(d) 67th Amendment
Answer: (b) 73rd Amendment41. What is the main purpose of the State Election Commission in India?

(a) Conduct state and national elections
(b) Conduct elections for Panchayats and Municipalities
(c) Oversee election campaigning
(d) Regulate political funding
Answer: (b) Conduct elections for Panchayats and Municipalities

42. Which country does NOT have a federal system?
(a) Canada
(b) India
(c) Sri Lanka
(d) Germany
Answer: (c) Sri Lanka

43. What does the term ‘jurisdiction’ mean?
(a) Power to impose taxes
(b) Legal authority over a defined area or subject
(c) Control over financial matters
(d) Authority to regulate elections
Answer: (b) Legal authority over a defined area or subject

44. What is the role of the Gram Sabha in Panchayati Raj?
(a) Legislative decision-making
(b) Supervision of the Gram Panchayat
(c) Financial budgeting for districts
(d) Resolving disputes between states
Answer: (b) Supervision of the Gram Panchayat

45. What feature distinguishes a federal government from a unitary one?
(a) Written constitution
(b) Division of powers between central and state governments
(c) Single legislative system
(d) Dominance of judiciary
Answer: (b) Division of powers between central and state governments

46. Which list in the Indian Constitution includes agriculture?
(a) Union List
(b) State List
(c) Concurrent List
(d) Residuary List
Answer: (b) State List

47. What is the highest court of appeal in a federal system like India’s?
(a) District Court
(b) High Court
(c) Supreme Court
(d) Sessions Court
Answer: (c) Supreme Court

48. Which level of government handles police and law enforcement in India?
(a) Union Government
(b) State Government
(c) Both Union and State Governments
(d) Local Government
Answer: (b) State Government

49. How many scheduled languages are officially recognized in the Indian Constitution?
(a) 15
(b) 18
(c) 22
(d) 25
Answer: (c) 22

50. Which subject would most likely fall under the Residuary Powers?
(a) Education
(b) Defence
(c) Computer software
(d) Agriculture
Answer: (c) Computer software

51. How does the Constitution ensure financial autonomy for states?
(a) Through taxation policies
(b) By allowing states to collect all taxes
(c) By clearly defining sources of revenue for states
(d) By centralizing all revenue collection
Answer: (c) By clearly defining sources of revenue for states

52. Which level of government is responsible for marriage laws in India?
(a) Union Government
(b) State Government
(c) Concurrent List
(d) Residuary Powers
Answer: (c) Concurrent List

53. What happens when Union and State laws on a Concurrent List subject conflict?
(a) Union law prevails
(b) State law prevails
(c) Supreme Court decides
(d) Both laws are nullified
Answer: (a) Union law prevails

54. What role does the High Court play in federalism?
(a) Resolves conflicts between local governments
(b) Interprets the Constitution
(c) Resolves disputes between Union and State Governments
(d) Supervises Union List subjects
Answer: (c) Resolves disputes between Union and State Governments

55. Which feature ensures flexibility in Indian federalism?
(a) Strict power division
(b) Unitary tilt in emergency
(c) Equal powers for states
(d) Limited autonomy for Union Territories
Answer: (b) Unitary tilt in emergency56. What is the main feature of a coalition government at the Union level?

(a) Single-party dominance
(b) Power-sharing among multiple parties
(c) Uniform regional policies
(d) Complete centralization of power
Answer: (b) Power-sharing among multiple parties

57. How many tiers of government does India have?
(a) One
(b) Two
(c) Three
(d) Four
Answer: (c) Three

58. In which list would ‘forests’ be categorized in India?
(a) Union List
(b) State List
(c) Concurrent List
(d) Residuary List
Answer: (c) Concurrent List

59. Which state in India was reorganized based on linguistic lines first?
(a) Andhra Pradesh
(b) Karnataka
(c) Tamil Nadu
(d) Kerala
Answer: (a) Andhra Pradesh

60. What is the purpose of the Residuary Powers in the Indian Constitution?
(a) To distribute financial resources
(b) To allocate new and unforeseen subjects to the Union Government
(c) To determine state boundaries
(d) To create new states
Answer: (b) To allocate new and unforeseen subjects to the Union Government

61. What is the primary role of the Zilla Parishad?
(a) Oversee national development
(b) Manage district-level planning and administration
(c) Conduct elections
(d) Create constitutional amendments
Answer: (b) Manage district-level planning and administration

62. Which amendment introduced mandatory reservations for women in Panchayati Raj institutions?
(a) 42nd Amendment
(b) 73rd Amendment
(c) 86th Amendment
(d) 91st Amendment
Answer: (b) 73rd Amendment

63. In a federal system, local governments are primarily responsible for:
(a) National defense
(b) Foreign policy
(c) Local development and administration
(d) Interstate trade
Answer: (c) Local development and administration

64. What is the term for the process of distributing power to local governments?
(a) Federalism
(b) Decentralization
(c) Unification
(d) Devolution
Answer: (b) Decentralization

65. Which country is an example of a ‘coming-together’ federation?
(a) India
(b) Australia
(c) Spain
(d) Belgium
Answer: (b) Australia

66. What is a Scheduled Language according to the Indian Constitution?
(a) A language used only for regional communication
(b) A language recognized under the Eighth Schedule
(c) A language designated for judiciary purposes
(d) A language used for Parliamentary debates
Answer: (b) A language recognized under the Eighth Schedule

67. Which tier of government in India handles public health and sanitation?
(a) Union Government
(b) State Government
(c) Local Government
(d) Judiciary
Answer: (c) Local Government

68. The term “holding-together federation” implies:
(a) States voluntarily joining the federation
(b) Power is centralized in the states
(c) Unequal distribution of power among states
(d) Equal powers among all states
Answer: (c) Unequal distribution of power among states

69. Which subject does NOT belong to the State List in India?
(a) Agriculture
(b) Police
(c) Currency
(d) Public health
Answer: (c) Currency

70. Which body approves the budget of the Gram Panchayat?
(a) Gram Sabha
(b) State Assembly
(c) Union Government
(d) High Court
Answer: (a) Gram Sabha

71. The linguistic diversity of India was highlighted in which Census year?
(a) 2001
(b) 2011
(c) 1991
(d) 1981
Answer: (b) 2011

72. Which state in India has the highest representation of Hindi speakers?
(a) Maharashtra
(b) Uttar Pradesh
(c) Gujarat
(d) Punjab
Answer: (b) Uttar Pradesh

73. What ensures the autonomy of the judiciary in India?
(a) Independent revenue sources
(b) Separation of powers
(c) Federal structure
(d) Constitutional amendments
Answer: (b) Separation of powers

74. Which is an example of a Union Territory in India?
(a) Assam
(b) Kerala
(c) Lakshadweep
(d) Punjab
Answer: (c) Lakshadweep

75. The role of the Mayor in urban local governance is similar to the role of the ______ in rural governance.
(a) Gram Sabha
(b) Sarpanch
(c) Zilla Parishad
(d) District Collector
Answer: (b) Sarpanch

76. Which feature distinguishes Indian federalism from the United States?
(a) Written constitution
(b) Division of power
(c) Unequal powers among states
(d) Bicameral legislature
Answer: (c) Unequal powers among states

77. Which institution has the final authority in interpreting the Constitution?
(a) President of India
(b) Supreme Court
(c) Parliament
(d) High Court
Answer: (b) Supreme Court

78. Which subject is part of the Union List?
(a) Education
(b) Police
(c) Communications
(d) Agriculture
Answer: (c) Communications

79. Local government elections are conducted by:
(a) Election Commission of India
(b) State Election Commissions
(c) Union Government
(d) Zilla Parishads
Answer: (b) State Election Commissions

80. In federal systems, what is the primary role of the Constitution?
(a) Concentrate power at the top level
(b) Divide powers and responsibilities
(c) Establish regional boundaries
(d) Define economic policies
Answer: (b) Divide powers and responsibilities

81. What type of federation is India classified as?

(a) Coming-together federation
(b) Holding-together federation
(c) Regional federation
(d) Cooperative federation
Answer: (b) Holding-together federation

82. What percentage of Indians listed Hindi as their mother tongue in the 2011 Census?
(a) 40%
(b) 43.6%
(c) 50%
(d) 35%
Answer: (b) 43.6%

83. Which constitutional amendment mandates reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in local governments?
(a) 42nd Amendment
(b) 73rd Amendment
(c) 86th Amendment
(d) 91st Amendment
Answer: (b) 73rd Amendment

84. What is the political head of a Municipal Corporation called?
(a) Collector
(b) Mayor
(c) Commissioner
(d) Sarpanch
Answer: (b) Mayor

85. What distinguishes a unitary system from a federal system?
(a) Lack of a written constitution
(b) Concentration of power at one level
(c) Decentralization of power
(d) Bicameral legislature
Answer: (b) Concentration of power at one level

86. What is the primary responsibility of a District Collector?
(a) Head of the Zilla Parishad
(b) Administrative head of the district
(c) Judicial head of the district
(d) Election supervisor
Answer: (b) Administrative head of the district

87. Which level of government handles interstate trade in India?
(a) Local Government
(b) State Government
(c) Union Government
(d) Zilla Parishad
Answer: (c) Union Government

88. What is the purpose of the Panchayat Samiti?
(a) Manage state-level planning
(b) Coordinate development activities in a block
(c) Conduct municipal elections
(d) Supervise judicial activities
Answer: (b) Coordinate development activities in a block

89. Which subject belongs to the State List?
(a) Defence
(b) Public health
(c) Banking
(d) Foreign affairs
Answer: (b) Public health

90. Which feature of Indian federalism ensures cooperation between different levels of government?
(a) Concurrent List
(b) Residuary Powers
(c) Union List
(d) Directive Principles of State Policy
Answer: (a) Concurrent List

91. How many tiers of Panchayati Raj exist in India?
(a) One
(b) Two
(c) Three
(d) Four
Answer: (c) Three

92. Which Indian state was the first to implement the Panchayati Raj system?
(a) Rajasthan
(b) Gujarat
(c) Maharashtra
(d) Kerala
Answer: (a) Rajasthan

93. Which body supervises the Gram Panchayat in rural areas?
(a) Gram Sabha
(b) Zilla Parishad
(c) Panchayat Samiti
(d) District Magistrate
Answer: (a) Gram Sabha

94. Which term describes the transfer of power to lower levels of government?
(a) Delegation
(b) Devolution
(c) Decentralization
(d) Division of powers
Answer: (c) Decentralization

95. Which constitutional body resolves disputes between states?
(a) Lok Sabha
(b) President
(c) Supreme Court
(d) Rajya Sabha
Answer: (c) Supreme Court

96. In a federal system, which government level has power over communication services?
(a) Local Government
(b) State Government
(c) Union Government
(d) Concurrent Authority
Answer: (c) Union Government

97. The 1992 constitutional amendment aimed to strengthen:
(a) Judiciary
(b) Federal relations
(c) Local self-governments
(d) Centralized taxation
Answer: (c) Local self-governments

98. What is the main purpose of the Concurrent List?
(a) Resolve Union-State conflicts
(b) Ensure cooperative governance
(c) Centralize economic policies
(d) Increase state autonomy
Answer: (b) Ensure cooperative governance

99. What is a Union Territory in India?
(a) An area governed by the Union Government directly
(b) A state with additional autonomy
(c) A region with self-governing powers
(d) A special economic zone
Answer: (a) An area governed by the Union Government directly

100. Which institution plays a major role in interpreting the Indian Constitution?
(a) Parliament
(b) Supreme Court
(c) Election Commission
(d) President
Answer: (b) Supreme Court