NCERT Solutions For Class 11 Political Science Chapter 7 Federalism - 2025-26

1. From the list of following events which ones would you identify with the functioning of federalism? Why?

(a) The Centre on Tuesday announced Sixth Schedule status to GNLF-led Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, which would ensure greater autonomy to the governing body in the Hill district of West Bengal. A tripartite Memorandum of Settlement was signed in New Delhi between the Centre, West Bengal government and the Subhas Ghising-led Gorkha National Liberation Front (GNLF) after two days of hectic deliberations.

(b) Government for action plan for rain-hit States: Centre has asked the rain-ravaged States to submit detailed plans for reconstruction to enable it to respond to their demands for extra relief expeditiously.

(c) New Commissioner for Delhi: The Capital is getting a new municipal commissioner. Confirming this, present MCD Commissioner Rakesh Mehta said he has received his transfer orders and that he is likely to be replaced by IAS officer Ashok Kumar, who is serving as the Chief Secretary in Arunachal Pradesh. Mehta, a 1975 batch IAS officer, has been heading the MCD for about three-and-a-half years.

(d) CU Status for Manipur University: Rajya Sabha on Wednesday passed a Bill to convert the Manipur University into a Central University with the Human Resource Development Minister promising such institutions in the North Eastern States of Arunachal Pradesh, Tripura and Sikkim as well.

(e) Funds released: The Centre has released Rs. 553 lakh to Arunachal Pradesh under its rural water supply scheme. The first instalment was of Rs. 466.81 lakh.

(f) We’ll teach the Biharis how to live in Mumbai: Around 100 Shiv Sainiks stormed J. J. Hospital, disrupted daily operations, raised slogans and threatened to take matters into their own hands if no action was taken against non-Maharashtrian students.

(g) Demand for dismissal of Government: The Congress Legislature Party (CLP) in a representation submitted to State Governor recently, has demanded dismissal of the ruling Democratic Alliance of Nagaland (DAN) government for its alleged financial mismanagement and embezzlement of public money.

(h) NDA government asks naxalites to surrender arms: Amid a walkout by opposition RJD and its allies Congress and CPI (M), the Bihar government today appealed to the naxalites to shun the path of violence and reaffirmed its pledge to root out unemployment to usher in a new era of development in Bihar.

Answer

(a) Yes, this event reflects federalism as it involves collaboration between the central government, the state of West Bengal, and the GNLF to grant autonomy to the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council, allowing for decentralized governance.

(b) Yes, this situation demonstrates federalism since the states are asked to prepare and submit their reconstruction plans to the Centre for flood relief. It shows cooperation between different levels of government.

(c) No, appointing a new municipal commissioner in Delhi does not highlight the principle of federalism, as this is an administrative decision typically controlled by higher authorities rather than through a division of power.

(d) No, conferring central university status to Manipur University is not an example of federal functioning, as such institutions fall under the direct administration of the central government, rather than involving shared power with states.

(e) Yes, this is a federal feature since the central government provides financial assistance to Arunachal Pradesh for rural water supply, enabling the state to use these funds as per its needs and priorities.

(f) No, the actions of Shiv Sena activists against non-local students violate the spirit of federalism, which is supposed to protect the rights and freedoms of all citizens, regardless of their state of origin.

(g) No, demanding the dismissal of a democratically elected state government undermines federalism, as it threatens the autonomy and constitutional stability of the state government.

(h) Yes, tackling the naxalite issue by the Bihar government is a federal practice, since law and order and related challenges are primarily under state jurisdiction.

2. Think which of the following statements would be correct. State why.

• Federalism enhances the possibility of people from different regions to interact without the fear of one’s culture being imposed upon them by others.

• Federal system will hinder easier economic transaction between two different regions that have distinct types of resources.

• A federal system will ensure that the powers of those at the centre will remain limited.

Answer

• The first statement is correct, as federalism allows different regions and communities to preserve their cultural identities and prevents the imposition of any single culture.

• The second statement is not correct. In reality, federalism can promote economic cooperation and resource sharing among different states, rather than obstructing trade or transactions.

• The third statement is correct because federalism limits the authority of the central government by constitutionally dividing powers, ensuring that states retain significant autonomy.

3. Based on the first few articles of Belgian constitution – given below – explain how federalism is visualised in that country. Try and write a similar Article for the Constitution of India.

Title I: On Federal Belgium, its components and its territory.

Article 1 : Belgium is a Federal State made up of communities and regions.

Article 2 : Belgium is made up of three communities: The French Community, the Flemish Community and the German Community.

Article 3 : Belgium is made up of three regions: The Walloon region, the Flemish region and the Brussels region.

Article 4 : Belgium has four linguistic regions: The Frenchspeaking region, the Dutch-speaking region, the bilingual region of Brussels Capital and the German-speaking region. Each «commune» (county borough) of the Kingdom is part of one of these linguistic regions. ……..

Article 5 : The Walloon region is made up of the following provinces: The Walloon Brabant, Hainault, Liege, Luxemburg and Namur. The Flemish region is made up of the following provinces: Antwerp, the Flemish Brabant, West Flanders, East Flanders and Limburg. ……

Answer

Belgium's constitution sets up federalism through the recognition of various communities, regions, and linguistic areas, ensuring power-sharing based on both territory and culture.

Sample Article for India:

Title I: On Federal India, its components and its territory.

Article 1: India is a federal union made up of multiple communities and territories.

Article 2: India is home to over 20 major languages and hundreds of dialects.

Article 3: India includes a diversity of religions and faiths.

Article 4: The country is divided into 28 states and 7 union territories.

Article 5: There are two main levels of government: the central government and state governments. The central government retains greater authority in matters of national importance.

4. Imagine that you were to rewrite the provisions regarding federalism. Write an essay of not more than 300 words making your suggestions about:

a. division of powers among the centre and the States,

b. distribution of financial resources,

c. methods of resolving inter-State disputes and

d. appointment of Governors

Answer

a. The division of powers between the Centre and the States should be clear and well-defined, allowing states to govern their own affairs independently while the Centre focuses on national interests. Subjects listed under the Union List should be managed solely by Parliament, while those under the State List should remain under state authority. Any subject not specifically listed should fall under the Centre's jurisdiction.

b. Both the Centre and the States should have adequate revenue sources to fulfill their respective responsibilities. There must be an equitable allocation of financial resources. The Centre should have exclusive rights to collect certain taxes, while states should manage others. Some taxes could be collected by the Centre but shared with states to ensure they are not financially dependent on central grants. Loans to states should be governed by clear rules passed by Parliament.

c. For disputes between states, the Centre should take the lead in facilitating a quick and fair resolution, with the Supreme Court serving as the final arbiter. An inter-state council or committee could also be established to investigate and offer recommendations to Parliament for settling disagreements.

d. Governors should be appointed by the central government but only after consulting with the concerned state. This process would help avoid misuse of the Governor’s position. Appointees should be non-partisan, with no direct political affiliations. Imposing President’s Rule should be made more stringent to prevent its misuse, and states must have the right to contest such decisions in the Supreme Court.

5. Which of the following should be the basis for formation of a State? Why?

a. Common Language
b. Common economic interests
c. Common religion
d. Administrative convenience

Answer

Administrative convenience should be the main criterion for forming a new state. This approach ensures efficient governance and better delivery of services to the people. While language, economy, or religion may play a role, administrative ease helps in managing resources and development more effectively, benefiting the population as a whole. Past experiences, like those of Andhra Pradesh and Telangana, show that linguistic or religious factors alone may not guarantee regional harmony or effective governance.

6. Majority of people from the States of north India – Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar—speak Hindi. If all these States are combined to form one State, would it be in tune with the idea of federalism? Give arguments.

Answer

No, merging these large and diverse states into one would contradict the core principles of federalism. Each state has its unique social, economic, and cultural context. Combining them would create an unmanageable administrative unit and would likely lead to resource imbalances, unequal development, and dissatisfaction among the people. Federalism is designed to respect regional diversity and promote balanced governance, which would not be possible in such a large, unified state.

7. List four features of the Indian Constitution that give greater power to the central government than the State government.

Answer

• Power distribution favors the Centre: The Union List contains more subjects than the State List, and in case of conflicts over concurrent subjects, central laws take precedence.

• Emergency provisions: When a national, state, or financial emergency is declared, the Centre assumes greater control over state matters and finances, temporarily reducing state autonomy.

• Governor’s appointment: The Governor, who acts as the head of the state, is appointed by the President and can be removed at any time, giving the central government influence over state administration.

• Special powers under Articles 33 and 34: These allow the Centre to control certain public services and protect central employees, limiting state authority in these areas.

8. Why are many States unhappy about the role of the Governor?

Answer

States often feel discontented with the role of the Governor because this position is filled by the central government, raising concerns about potential political interference. Since Governors are not elected by the state, but appointed and removed by the Centre, they can sometimes act in ways that undermine the autonomy of elected state governments. The Governor can also dissolve the assembly or send state bills to the President, which may be perceived as overstepping local authority.

9. President’s rule can be imposed in a State if the government is not being run according to the provisions of the Constitution. State whether any of the following conditions are a fit case for imposition of President’s rule in the State. Give reasons.

Answer

(a) No, the killing of two MLAs is a serious law and order issue, but it does not justify dismissing the state government unless there is evidence of government involvement or a constitutional breakdown.

(b) No, an increase in crimes such as kidnappings or offenses against women is a law and order problem and does not warrant President’s Rule unless the situation leads to a total collapse of governance.

(c) No, President’s Rule cannot be imposed merely because no party has a majority. The largest party or alliance should be given a chance to form the government and prove its majority on the assembly floor.

(d) No, different political parties ruling at the Centre and State, even if they are rivals, is normal in a federal setup and not grounds for President’s Rule.

(e) Yes, if large-scale communal violence occurs and the state government is unable to restore order, it indicates administrative failure, which can justify the imposition of President’s Rule.

(f) Yes, if a state government refuses to comply with a Supreme Court judgment, it represents a breakdown of constitutional order, making President’s Rule appropriate in such a case.

10. What are the demands raised by States in their quest for greater autonomy?

Answer

• Clearer separation of powers: States like Tamil Nadu, West Bengal, and Punjab have called for more authority to be devolved from the Centre to the states.

• More financial independence: Some states seek increased control over their revenues and natural resources, so they are less reliant on central grants.

• Greater administrative control: States want more freedom to run their own administrative systems without interference from the Centre.

• Protection of local culture and language: Some states have asked for autonomy to preserve and promote their distinct languages and cultural practices.

11. Should some States be governed by special provisions? Does this create resentment among other States? Does this help in forging greater unity among the regions of the country?

Answer

It is sometimes necessary to grant special provisions to certain states due to their distinct historical, social, or geographical conditions, such as the northeastern states or Jammu & Kashmir. Article 370, for example, gave Jammu & Kashmir unique status, and Article 371 offers special arrangements for several northeastern and other states with unique cultural backgrounds.

However, these special arrangements can sometimes lead to dissatisfaction among other states, who may feel these measures are unfair or divisive. Instead of strengthening unity, these provisions may at times create a sense of favoritism or bias, rather than fostering national integration.