Federalism and Centre-State Relations MCQ

Question 1

What is federalism?

• A) A system of government where power is concentrated at the national level
• B) A system of government where power is shared between the national and state governments
• C) A system of government where power is concentrated at the state level
• D) A system of government where power is held by a single authority

Question 2

Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the distribution of powers between the Centre and the States?

• A) Article 370
• B) Article 356
• C) Article 246
• D) Article 312

Question 3

Which list in the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution contains subjects on which both the Centre and the States can legislate?

• A) Union List
• B) State List
• C) Concurrent List
• D) Residuary List

Question 4

Who has the power to resolve disputes between the Centre and the States regarding the distribution of powers?

• A) President
• B) Prime Minister
• C) Supreme Court
• D) Governor

Question 5

Which institution acts as the guardian of the federal structure in India?

• A) Parliament
• B) President
• C) Judiciary
• D) Prime Minister

Question 6

Which amendment to the Indian Constitution introduced the concept of cooperative federalism?

• A) 42nd Amendment
• B) 73rd Amendment
• C) 74th Amendment
• D) 97th Amendment

Question 7

Which article of the Indian Constitution mandates the formation of an Inter-State Council to address Centre-State and interstate relations?

• A) Article 249
• B) Article 263
• C) Article 370
• D) Article 356

Question 8

What is the significance of the Sarkaria Commission?

• A) It recommended the formation of the National Integration Council
• B) It recommended measures to improve Centre-State relations
• C) It recommended the abolition of the concurrent list
• D) It recommended the establishment of Union Territories

Question 9

Which doctrine asserts the supremacy of the Constitution and the role of the Judiciary in interpreting it?

• A) Doctrine of Separation of Powers
• B) Doctrine of Federal Supremacy
• C) Doctrine of Basic Structure
• D) Doctrine of Checks and Balances

Question 10

What is the purpose of the Zonal Councils in India?

• A) To promote regional cooperation among states
• B) To resolve disputes between the Centre and the States
• C) To administer Union Territories
• D) To manage inter-state rivers

Question 11

Which of the following is NOT a feature of federalism in India?

• A) Supremacy of the Constitution
• B) Distribution of powers between the Centre and the States
• C) Single citizenship
• D) Dual judiciary

Question 12

What is fiscal federalism?

• A) A system where states have control over foreign policy
• B) A system where states have control over their own finances
• C) A system where states have control over defense
• D) A system where states have control over education

Question 13

Who has the power to establish new states and alter their boundaries?

• A) Parliament
• B) President
• C) Prime Minister
• D) Governor

Question 14

Which of the following is an example of asymmetric federalism in India?

• A) Centre-State Relations in Gujarat
• B) Centre-State Relations in Maharashtra
• C) Centre-State Relations in Jammu and Kashmir
• D) Centre-State Relations in Tamil Nadu

Question 15

Which committee recommended the establishment of a National Development Council (NDC) to strengthen Centre-State relations?

• A) Rajamannar Committee
• B) Ashok Mehta Committee
• C) Balwantrai Mehta Committee
• D) Punchhi Commission

Question 16

What is the role of the Finance Commission in Centre-State relations?

• A) To recommend measures for economic development
• B) To allocate funds between the Centre and the States
• C) To resolve disputes related to water resources
• D) To appoint Governors for Union Territories

Question 17

Which of the following is NOT a mechanism for cooperative federalism in India?

• A) Inter-State Council
• B) National Integration Council
• C) Finance Commission
• D) National Development Council

Question 18

What is the primary function of the Planning Commission (replaced by NITI Aayog) in Centre-State relations?

• A) To allocate funds for development projects
• B) To formulate Five-Year Plans
• C) To resolve disputes between the Centre and the States
• D) To appoint Governors for Union Territories

Question 19

Which article of the Indian Constitution provides for the appointment of a Governor for each state?

• A) Article 153
• B) Article 155
• C) Article 156
• D) Article 160

Question 20

What is the role of the President in Centre-State relations?

• A) To ensure the implementation of Directive Principles of State Policy
• B) To act as the ceremonial head of the Centre and the States
• C) To appoint Governors and dissolve state assemblies
• D) To represent India in international forums

Explanation for Each Answer

1. B) A system of government where power is shared between the national and state governments: Federalism is a system of government where power is divided and shared between a central authority (national government) and constituent political units (states or provinces).
2. C) Article 246: Article 246 of the Indian Constitution deals with the distribution of legislative powers between the Centre and the States. It contains three lists - Union List, State List, and Concurrent List - which enumerate the subjects on which each level of government can legislate.
3. C) Concurrent List: The Concurrent List in the Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution contains subjects on which both the Centre and the States can legislate simultaneously. This includes subjects such as criminal law, marriage, bankruptcy, and education.
4. C) Supreme Court: Disputes between the Centre and the States regarding the distribution of powers are resolved by the Supreme Court of India, which acts as the ultimate interpreter of the Constitution.
5. C) Judiciary: The judiciary, particularly the Supreme Court, acts as the guardian of the federal structure in India by ensuring that the principles of federalism are upheld and any disputes between the Centre and the States are resolved constitutionally.
6. A) 42nd Amendment: The concept of cooperative federalism was introduced in India through the 42nd Amendment to the Constitution, which aimed to enhance cooperation and coordination between the Centre and the States in matters of national importance.
7. B) Article 263: Article 263 of the Indian Constitution mandates the formation of an Inter-State Council to address Centre-State and interstate relations, promote cooperation among states, and discuss matters of common interest.
8. B) It recommended measures to improve Centre-State relations: The Sarkaria Commission, constituted in 1983, recommended measures to improve Centre-State relations and suggested guidelines for better cooperation and coordination between the Centre and the States.
9. C) Doctrine of Basic Structure: The Doctrine of Basic Structure asserts the supremacy of the Constitution and the role of the Judiciary in interpreting it, ensuring that the federal structure and essential features of the Constitution are protected from any arbitrary amendments by the Parliament.
10. A) To promote regional cooperation among states: The purpose of the Zonal Councils in India is to promote regional cooperation among states and union territories in specific zones by discussing and resolving common issues and sharing best practices.
11. D) Dual judiciary: Dual judiciary is NOT a feature of federalism in India. India follows a single integrated judiciary system where both the Centre and the States are subject to the jurisdiction of the same courts, with the Supreme Court at the apex.
12. B) A system where states have control over their own finances: Fiscal federalism refers to the system of financial relations between the Centre and the States, where states have control over their own finances, including taxation, expenditure, and borrowing powers.
13. A) Parliament: The power to establish new states and alter their boundaries lies with the Parliament of India, which can pass laws for the creation of new states, alteration of state boundaries, or the establishment of Union Territories.
14. C) Centre-State Relations in Jammu and Kashmir: Asymmetric federalism refers to a system where different states have different degrees of autonomy and powers. In India, Jammu and Kashmir had special status and enjoyed greater autonomy under Article 370 before its abrogation in 2019.
15. D) Punchhi Commission: The Punchhi Commission, constituted in 2007, recommended the establishment of a National Development Council (NDC) to strengthen Centre-State relations and promote cooperative federalism in India.
16. B) To allocate funds between the Centre and the States: The primary function of the Finance Commission in Centre-State relations is to recommend the allocation of financial resources between the Centre and the States, including tax revenues and grants-in-aid.
17. B) National Integration Council: The National Integration Council is NOT a mechanism for cooperative federalism in India. It is a forum for dialogue and deliberation on issues affecting national integration and communal harmony.
18. B) To formulate Five-Year Plans: The Planning Commission (replaced by NITI Aayog) was responsible for formulating Five-Year Plans and coordinating development initiatives between the Centre and the States. It played a significant role in planning and resource allocation.
19. B) Article 155: Article 155 of the Indian Constitution provides for the appointment of a Governor for each state by the President of India. The Governor acts as the constitutional head of the state and represents the Centre in the state.
20. C) To appoint Governors and dissolve state assemblies: The role of the President in Centre-State relations includes appointing Governors for states, dissolving state assemblies under certain circumstances, and representing India in international forums as the head of state.