Revision Notes
Class - 10 Social Science (Political Science)
Chapter 2 - Federalism
What is federalism?
● Belgium had a unitary form of government. The regional governments had power
but it could be withdrawn by the Central government at any point in time.
● It got changed in 1993 and they were given constitutional powers which changed
it into a federal government.
● A system of government in which the power is shared among the central authority
and various other constituent units of the country, is called federalism.
Two levels of government exist:
I. One exists at the national or the central level that is usually responsible for the
entire country. They take care of few subjects that are of national interest.
II. Others exists at the level of state or divisional provinces and look after the
administration on daily basis.
● In a unitary system of government, only one level holds political power or
authority. If other levels of government are present they work as subordinates or
under the central government.
● A federal government, in contrast, cannot order the state or the local government
to follow the guidelines generated by the central government.
Key features of federalism are:
1. More than one tier of government.
2. There are different defined laws and jurisdictions for different tiers in terms of
legislation, taxation, and administration.
Class X Social Science www.vedantu.com 1
, 3. The Constitution defines the jurisdiction.
4. Courts can intervene and interpret the powers of government at any level.
5. For financial autonomy, the sources of income are specifically defined for each
level of government.
6. This form of government has dual objectives: promotes the unity of the nation,
along with accommodating regional diversity.
What makes India a federal country?
The Constitution provided for a two-tier system of government: the Union
Government or Central Government and the State governments. Later Panchayats
and Municipalities were also added.
Since there is a three-tier of government, the Constitution states three lists:
1. Union List:
● Subjects like defense, foreign affairs, currency etc. are included in the list.
● These subjects are of national importance.
● Laws related to this list are made by the Union List.
2. State List:
● Subjects like police, commerce, irrigation etc. are covered under this list.
● These subjects are of State and local importance.
● Laws related to this subject are made by the state government.
3. Concurrent list:
● Contains subjects of common interest to both the Union as well as the States such
as education, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption, and succession.
● Both the Central and the state governments can make laws in the Concurrent List.
Class X Social Science www.vedantu.com 2
Class - 10 Social Science (Political Science)
Chapter 2 - Federalism
What is federalism?
● Belgium had a unitary form of government. The regional governments had power
but it could be withdrawn by the Central government at any point in time.
● It got changed in 1993 and they were given constitutional powers which changed
it into a federal government.
● A system of government in which the power is shared among the central authority
and various other constituent units of the country, is called federalism.
Two levels of government exist:
I. One exists at the national or the central level that is usually responsible for the
entire country. They take care of few subjects that are of national interest.
II. Others exists at the level of state or divisional provinces and look after the
administration on daily basis.
● In a unitary system of government, only one level holds political power or
authority. If other levels of government are present they work as subordinates or
under the central government.
● A federal government, in contrast, cannot order the state or the local government
to follow the guidelines generated by the central government.
Key features of federalism are:
1. More than one tier of government.
2. There are different defined laws and jurisdictions for different tiers in terms of
legislation, taxation, and administration.
Class X Social Science www.vedantu.com 1
, 3. The Constitution defines the jurisdiction.
4. Courts can intervene and interpret the powers of government at any level.
5. For financial autonomy, the sources of income are specifically defined for each
level of government.
6. This form of government has dual objectives: promotes the unity of the nation,
along with accommodating regional diversity.
What makes India a federal country?
The Constitution provided for a two-tier system of government: the Union
Government or Central Government and the State governments. Later Panchayats
and Municipalities were also added.
Since there is a three-tier of government, the Constitution states three lists:
1. Union List:
● Subjects like defense, foreign affairs, currency etc. are included in the list.
● These subjects are of national importance.
● Laws related to this list are made by the Union List.
2. State List:
● Subjects like police, commerce, irrigation etc. are covered under this list.
● These subjects are of State and local importance.
● Laws related to this subject are made by the state government.
3. Concurrent list:
● Contains subjects of common interest to both the Union as well as the States such
as education, forest, trade unions, marriage, adoption, and succession.
● Both the Central and the state governments can make laws in the Concurrent List.
Class X Social Science www.vedantu.com 2
