Here are the Assertion and Reason Questions along with answers and their explanations of Civics Chapter 2 ‘Federalism’. Let’s practice all possible questions to score well in exams.
Must practice these Assertion/Reason questions
Q.1 Assertion (A): In a unitary system, the central government can pass orders to provincial or local governments.
Reason (R): In a federal system, the central government cannot order the state governments, as both are independently answerable to the people.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: In a unitary system, the central government has the power to issue orders to the sub-units. However, in a federal system, central and state governments have separate powers and are independently answerable to the people.
Q.2 Assertion (A): In a federal system, the central and state governments have separate powers for legislation, taxation, and administration, as outlined in the constitution.
Reason (R): The constitution guarantees the existence and authority of both levels of government and cannot be changed unilaterally by one level.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Federalism is based on the division of powers between different levels of government, which are constitutionally guaranteed, and cannot be altered by just one tier.
Q.3 Assertion (A): In a federal system, courts have the power to interpret the constitution and act as umpires in disputes between different levels of government.
Reason (R): Courts ensure that the powers of central and state governments are not violated, protecting the system of federalism.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Courts serve as arbiters in federal systems, ensuring that the division of powers between levels of government is respected and protecting the constitution.
Q.4 Assertion (A): In a federal system, the financial autonomy of each level of government is ensured by clearly specifying the sources of revenue for each level.
Reason (R): This ensures that both central and state governments have the necessary resources to perform their respective functions independently.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: Financial autonomy is crucial in federal systems, and the clear specification of revenue sources ensures that each level of government can function without relying on the other.
Q.5 Assertion (A): Power is shared equally between the central and state governments in India, ensuring complete autonomy at each level.
Reason (R): The Constitution of India allows both the Union and State Governments to exercise their powers independently.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: d) A is false, but R is true.
Explanation: While the Constitution divides powers between the central and state governments, the central government holds more power in certain areas, limiting the autonomy of states in certain aspects.
Q.6 Assertion (A): States like Assam, Nagaland, and Mizoram have special provisions that give them additional powers, especially in protecting their culture and land rights.
Reason (R): These special provisions are based on the unique historical and social contexts of these states.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: These states enjoy special provisions due to their unique contexts, particularly regarding cultural protection and land rights.
Q.7 Assertion (A): The creation of linguistic States was initially resisted, but it eventually contributed to the unity of the country and easier administration.
Reason (R): The formation of linguistic States allowed people who spoke the same language to live in the same State, reducing administrative complexity.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: The creation of linguistic States led to greater unity and easier governance by ensuring linguistic homogeneity, which also simplified administration.
Q.8 Assertion (A): The Indian government ensured the protection of languages other than Hindi, making English an associate official language.
Reason (R): Hindi was adopted as the national language and was enforced uniformly across all states, despite opposition from non-Hindi-speaking regions.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: c) A is true, but R is false.
Explanation: While Hindi was promoted, the Indian government allowed English to continue alongside Hindi due to opposition from non-Hindi-speaking regions, especially Tamil Nadu, which was not a direct imposition of Hindi.
Q.9 Assertion (A): The centralization of power was a problem in the early years of Indian federalism, especially when the central government dismissed state governments led by rival parties.
Reason (R): After 1990, the rise of regional parties and coalition governments improved Centre-State relations and strengthened federalism in India.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: The misuse of central power to dismiss state governments was a problem earlier, but the rise of regional parties and coalition governments after 1990 contributed to strengthening federalism.
Q.10 Assertion (A): Before the 1992 constitutional amendment, Panchayats and Municipalities had full powers and regular elections.
Reason (R): They were directly under the control of the State Governments, and elections were not held regularly.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is false, but R is true.
d) A is true, but R is false.
Answer: c) A is false, but R is true.
Explanation: Panchayats and Municipalities existed, but they were weak because elections were irregular and powers were limited.
Q.11 Assertion (A): The gram sabha supervises the working of the gram panchayat.
Reason (R): All the voters in a village are members of the gram sabha.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is true, but R is false.
d) A is false, but R is true.
Answer: a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
Explanation: The gram sabha, made up of all voters, directly monitors the gram panchayat’s performance.
Q.12 Assertion (A): In urban areas, only municipal corporations are formed irrespective of the city’s size.
Reason (R): Municipal corporations are meant for large cities, while municipalities are set up in smaller towns.
a) Both A and R are true, and R is the correct explanation of A.
b) Both A and R are true, but R is not the correct explanation of A.
c) A is false, but R is true.
d) A is true, but R is false.
Answer: c) A is false, but R is true.
Explanation: Only bigger cities have municipal corporations. Smaller towns have municipalities.
