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Class 10 · Social Science

Federalism MCQ Quiz

Free CBSE Class 10 Social Science MCQ quiz on Federalism (Weekly Test 23 Aug 2026): 30 questions with instant scoring and answer explanations. No sign-up…

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30 questions

  1. Which of the following statements correctly distinguishes a unitary system of government from a federal system?

    1. In a unitary system, power is divided equally between the national and state governments.
    2. In a unitary system, the central government can pass orders to the local or sub-unit governments.
    3. In a federal system, state governments are strictly subordinate to the central authority.
    4. In a unitary system, state governments have constitutional powers independent of the central government.

  2. Which set of countries all represent the 'Coming Together' form of federation?

    1. India, Spain, and Belgium
    2. USA, Switzerland, and Australia
    3. USA, India, and Spain
    4. Belgium, Switzerland, and Australia

  3. What is a key structural feature of 'Holding Together' federations like India?

    1. Constituent units usually have equal power and are strong vis-a-vis the federal government.
    2. The central government tends to be more powerful vis-a-vis the states.
    3. States can secede from the union whenever they pass a referendum.
    4. Regional governments hold absolute authority over foreign policy decisions.

  4. Under the Indian Constitution, which level of government has the exclusive authority to legislate on subjects listed under the Union List?

    1. State Governments
    2. Union Government
    3. Both Union and State Governments jointly
    4. Local Self-Governments

  5. Under which list of the Indian Constitution do subjects like 'Forests', 'Education', and 'Trade Unions' fall?

    1. Union List
    2. State List
    3. Concurrent List
    4. Residuary List

  6. Suppose a new technological subject like 'Artificial Intelligence Regulation' emerges today. Which authority in India has the power to legislate on it, and under what power?

    1. State Governments under State List
    2. Union Government under Residuary Powers
    3. Local Panchayats under Decentralised Powers
    4. Supreme Court under Judicial Review

  7. If a law made by a State Legislature on a subject in the Concurrent List conflicts with a law made by Parliament on the same subject, what happens?

    1. The State law prevails within that particular State.
    2. Both laws become null and void, requiring fresh legislation.
    3. The law made by the Union Parliament prevails.
    4. The Governor of the State decides which law to enforce.

  8. Which entity acts as an umpire if a dispute arises between different levels of government in the exercise of their respective powers in India?

    1. The President of India
    2. The Comptroller and Auditor General
    3. The High Courts and the Supreme Court
    4. The NITI Aayog

  9. What requirement must be fulfilled to alter the basic power-sharing arrangement defined in the Indian Constitution?

    1. A simple majority vote in the Lok Sabha alone
    2. Approval by a two-thirds majority in both Houses of Parliament plus ratification by legislatures of at least half the total States
    3. An executive order issued by the President of India
    4. Unanimous consent of all State Governors

  10. Why are territories like Chandigarh, Lakshadweep, and Delhi classified as Union Territories?

    1. They are too large to be governed by a single state government.
    2. They are areas that could not be merged with existing states and are too small to become independent states.
    3. They were acquired through international treaties after 1990.
    4. They have autonomous tribal councils that refuse state administration.

  11. What was the primary basis for the reorganisation of several Indian states immediately after Independence in 1956?

    1. Economic prosperity levels
    2. Linguistic identity
    3. Religious demographics
    4. Topographical boundaries

  12. Some Indian states like Nagaland, Uttarakhand, and Jharkhand were created not on the basis of language, but primarily due to:

    1. Differences based on culture, ethnicity, or geography
    2. Demands by foreign diplomatic missions
    3. High literacy rate disparities
    4. Administrative convenience of the Defence Ministry

  13. What does the Indian Constitution state regarding a national language for the country?

    1. Hindi is designated as the sole national language of India.
    2. English is the national language, while Hindi is the official language.
    3. No single language was given the status of national language by the Constitution.
    4. Sanskrit and Hindi are joint national languages.

  14. According to the Census data referenced in the NCERT textbook, approximately what percentage of the Indian population has Hindi as their mother tongue?

    1. 20 percent
    2. 40 percent
    3. 60 percent
    4. 75 percent

  15. Besides Hindi, how many other languages are recognized as 'Scheduled Languages' in the Eighth Schedule of the Indian Constitution?

    1. 14 languages
    2. 21 languages
    3. 22 languages
    4. 25 languages

  16. A candidate appearing for a Central Government recruitment examination in India can choose to take the examination in:

    1. Only Hindi or English
    2. Any of the 22 Scheduled Languages
    3. Only the official language of the state where the exam center is located
    4. English only

  17. How did the political culture in India change after 1990 regarding Centre-State relations?

    1. The Central Government easily dismissed State Governments ruled by opposition parties using Article 356.
    2. The rise of regional political parties led to the era of coalition governments at the Centre.
    3. State Governments voluntarily surrendered their tax-collecting powers to the Centre.
    4. The Supreme Court barred regional parties from contesting national elections.

  18. What is a 'Coalition Government'?

    1. A government formed by a single party holding an absolute two-thirds majority in Parliament.
    2. A government formed by an alliance of two or more political parties when no single party gets a clear majority.
    3. A temporary government run directly by the Supreme Court during national emergencies.
    4. A system where state governments rule the central administration by turn.

  19. What rationale drove the need for decentralisation of power in a country like India?

    1. Indian states are territorially larger and more populous than many independent countries of Europe.
    2. Central government officials refused to govern rural districts.
    3. The United Nations mandated a three-tier government for all developing nations.
    4. State governments were financially broke and needed local bodies to raise foreign loans.

  20. Which major constitutional amendment brought about a constitutional mandate for the three-tier decentralised system in India in 1992?

    1. 42nd and 44th Amendments
    2. 73rd and 74th Amendments
    3. 86th and 91st Amendments
    4. 1st and 10th Amendments

  21. What constitutional provision was made in 1992 to ensure the political representation of women in local self-government bodies?

    1. At least 10% of all positions reserved for women
    2. At least one-third of all positions reserved for women
    3. Exactly 50% reservation in all legislative assemblies
    4. Nomination of women members by the Governor

  22. Which independent body was created in each State by the 1992 Constitutional Amendment to conduct panchayat and municipal elections?

    1. Election Commission of India
    2. State Election Commission
    3. Delimitation Commission
    4. Planning Board of the State

  23. What is the body comprising all the adult voters residing within a Gram Panchayat's territorial jurisdiction called?

    1. Panchayat Samiti
    2. Gram Sabha
    3. Zilla Parishad
    4. Gram Kourt

  24. Which of the following functions belongs to the Gram Sabha?

    1. Appointing the Chief Minister of the State
    2. Approving the annual budget of the Gram Panchayat and reviewing its performance
    3. Passing state laws regarding agriculture
    4. Allocating central tax shares to states

  25. A group of Gram Panchayats combined together at the block or taluka level forms what local government tier?

    1. Zilla Parishad
    2. Panchayat Samiti or Mandal
    3. Municipal Council
    4. Gram Sabha

  26. Who is the political head of a Municipal Corporation?

    1. District Collector
    2. Block Development Officer
    3. Mayor
    4. Sarpanch

  27. Approximately how many elected representatives are there in the Panchayats and Municipalities across India today?

    1. About 1 lakh
    2. About 5 lakh
    3. Over 36 lakh
    4. Over 1 crore

  28. Which article of the Indian Constitution grants special provisions to several Northeastern states like Nagaland, Assam, and Mizoram to protect indigenous rights?

    1. Article 370
    2. Article 371
    3. Article 356
    4. Article 243

  29. A state government in India wants to change its local school curriculum and language of instruction. Under which list can it exercise this authority?

    1. Union List
    2. Concurrent List
    3. Residuary List
    4. Executive Orders of Union Defence Ministry

  30. Despite constitutional mandates for local decentralisation since 1992, what remains a major challenge or shortcoming in its practical implementation in India?

    1. State governments have not transferred significant powers and adequate resources to local bodies.
    2. Elections to local bodies have been completely banned by the Supreme Court.
    3. Women are prohibited from contesting local government seats.
    4. Gram Sabhas have replaced state legislative assemblies across all states.