NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 2 – Federalism

NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 2 explains the concept of federalism and its practical application in India. In NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 2, students understand how power is divided between different levels of government to ensure balanced governance in a diverse country.

Federalism is a system in which powers are shared between the Central Government and State Governments. NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 2 highlights that India is described as a “Union of States” under Article 1 of the Constitution. The Constitution clearly divides powers into the Union List, State List and Concurrent List.

A key theme of NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 2 is linguistic reorganisation of states. After the formation of Andhra Pradesh in 1953, the States Reorganisation Act, 1956 reorganised states on the basis of language. Later, states like Gujarat and Maharashtra (1960), Haryana (1966) and Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand (2000) were created.

The chapter also explains fiscal federalism through the Finance Commission (Article 280) and judicial safeguards through the Supreme Court of India. The S.R. Bommai Case (1994) limited misuse of Article 356 and strengthened federalism.

A major part of NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 2 focuses on decentralisation through the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments (1992), which introduced Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Bodies as the third tier of government.

For competitive exams, NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 2 is essential for understanding Centre-State relations, constitutional provisions and grassroots democracy.

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1. Overview

• Chapter focuses on Vertical Division of Power, commonly known as Federalism.
• Explains theory and practice of federalism with special reference to India.
• Discusses federal constitutional provisions and how political processes strengthened federalism in practice.
• Examines role of policies and politics in deepening federal structure.
• Concludes with discussion on Local Government as the third tier of Indian federalism.

2. What is Federalism?

• Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a Central Authority and various Constituent Units (States/Provinces) of a country.
• Usually, a federation has two levels of government: one for the entire country handling national subjects, and others at the state level managing regional matters. Both levels exercise powers independently of each other.
• Belgium shifted from a Unitary State to Federal State in 1993, granting constitutional powers to regional governments, preventing domination by the centre.
• In contrast, Sri Lanka continues to function largely as a Unitary System, where the national government holds most powers.
• In a federal system, the Constitution clearly divides powers between different levels and protects this division from unilateral changes by one level.
• Features of federalism include: existence of multiple levels of government, constitutional division of powers, independent judiciary, and financial autonomy for each level.
• Although only about 25 out of 193 countries follow federal systems, they include major countries like United States of America, Canada, Brazil and India, covering nearly 40% of world population.
• Federalism ensures unity in diversity by balancing national interests with regional autonomy.

3. What makes India a federal country?

• The Constitution of India (1950) establishes a federal system with three levels of government — Union Government, State Governments, and later Local Governments.
• The Constitution clearly divides powers through the Union List, State List and Concurrent List. Subjects like defence, foreign affairs, currency fall under Union List; police, agriculture, trade under State List; and education, forests, marriage under Concurrent List.
• Residuary Powers (subjects not mentioned in lists) are vested in the Union Government, making Indian federalism relatively strong at the centre.
• The division of powers is written in the Constitution and cannot be changed unilaterally by Parliament; amendments require special majority and consent of half the states.
• India has an independent judiciary, headed by the Supreme Court of India, which resolves disputes between Union and States and safeguards constitutional provisions.
• Financial relations are structured: the Union collects major taxes and distributes revenue to states through mechanisms like the Finance Commission (Article 280).
• India is described in Article 1 as a “Union of States”, indicating that states do not have the right to secede from the Union.
• Unlike classic federations like USA, India adopted federalism through constitutional design after independence in 1947, accommodating diversity of language, culture and region.
• Though India has a federal structure, it also has unitary features, such as strong central powers during National Emergency (Article 352).
• Thus, India is a quasi-federal system, combining federal principles with a strong centre to maintain unity and integrity.

4. How is federalism practised?

• Initially, after Independence (1947), India had a strong one-party dominance under the Indian National Congress, which reduced conflicts between Union and States.
• From 1967 onwards, rise of regional parties in states like Tamil Nadu, Punjab and West Bengal led to assertion of state autonomy, strengthening federal practice.
• The creation of new states on linguistic basis began with Andhra Pradesh (1953) after demand by Potti Sriramulu, followed by States Reorganisation Act (1956), recognising language as basis of state formation.
• Over time, new states like Gujarat and Maharashtra (1960), Haryana (1966), Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand and Uttarakhand (2000) were created to accommodate regional aspirations.
• Emergence of Coalition Governments at the Centre (1989 onwards), such as governments led by V. P. Singh (1989) and later alliances like NDA and UPA, required power-sharing with regional parties.
• The Supreme Court, through judgments like the S.R. Bommai case (1994), restricted misuse of Article 356 (President’s Rule), protecting state governments from arbitrary dismissal.
• The establishment of the Inter-State Council (Article 263) promotes coordination between Union and States on policy matters.
• Fiscal federalism has improved through bodies like the Finance Commission, ensuring fair distribution of tax revenues.
• Federalism in India has evolved from constitutional design to practical cooperation, negotiation and accommodation between Union and States.
• Thus, federalism in India is not static; it has been strengthened by political competition, regional assertion and judicial intervention.

5. Decentralisation in India

• Decentralisation means transferring power from Central and State Governments to lower levels such as Local Governments, bringing governance closer to the people.
• The need for decentralisation was felt because states in India are large and diverse; local issues require local decision-making for effective administration.
• A major step was taken through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) for Rural Local Government (Panchayati Raj) and the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) for Urban Local Government (Municipalities). These came into force in 1993.
• The 73rd Amendment introduced a three-tier system in rural areas: Gram Panchayat (village level), Panchayat Samiti (block level) and Zila Parishad (district level).
• The Gram Sabha, comprising all adult members of a village, acts as a foundation of local democracy.
• Seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs) and at least one-third for women, promoting inclusive participation.
• Regular elections are conducted by the State Election Commission, and State Finance Commissions recommend financial powers to local bodies.
• Urban areas have Municipal Corporations (large cities), Municipal Councils (small towns) and Nagar Panchayats for transitional areas.
• Decentralisation strengthens democracy by increasing people’s participation, transparency and accountability in governance.
• Thus, decentralisation represents the third tier of Indian federalism, deepening grassroots democracy.

6. Exam Oriented Facts

• Federalism: Division of power between Central Authority and Constituent Units (States/Provinces).
• Only about 25 out of 193 countries have federal systems; they cover nearly 40% of world population.
• Belgium became a Federal State in 1993; Sri Lanka remains largely Unitary.
• Constitution of India came into force on 26 January 1950; Article 1 describes India as a “Union of States”.
• Division of powers: Union List, State List, Concurrent List; Residuary Powers with Union Government.
• Finance Commission (Article 280) recommends distribution of taxes between Union and States.
• Article 356: President’s Rule; limited by S.R. Bommai Case (1994).
• Linguistic reorganisation: Andhra Pradesh (1953); States Reorganisation Act (1956); Gujarat & Maharashtra (1960); Haryana (1966); Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Uttarakhand (2000).
• 73rd & 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts (1992) implemented in 1993 for decentralisation.
• Rural structure: Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zila Parishad; Urban bodies: Municipal Corporation, Municipal Council, Nagar Panchayat.
• Reservation in local bodies: SC, ST and minimum one-third seats for women.

Understanding NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 2 – Federalism is crucial to analyse India’s constitutional structure and power distribution.

NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 2 connects directly with Indian Constitution, Governance, Fiscal Federalism and Local Self-Government topics in BPSC and UPSC foundation preparation.

Students preparing for board and competitive exams should refer to the official NCERT website for authentic textbooks and syllabus updates.

Continue reading NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 3 – Democracy and Diversity to understand how social differences shape democratic politics.

FAQs

Q1. What is NCERT Class 10 Polity Chapter 2 about?
It explains federalism and division of powers between Union and State governments in India.

Q2. What are the three lists in Indian Constitution?
Union List, State List and Concurrent List.

Q3. When were states reorganised on linguistic basis?
Through the States Reorganisation Act, 1956.

Q4. What is the role of the Finance Commission?
It recommends distribution of financial resources between Centre and States under Article 280.

Q5. Why is Chapter 2 important for competitive exams?
It builds foundation for understanding federal structure, decentralisation and constitutional governance in India.

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