Podcast
Questions and Answers
Which of the following statements best describes federalism?
Which of the following statements best describes federalism?
What major constitutional change occurred in Belgium in 1993?
What major constitutional change occurred in Belgium in 1993?
Which of the following countries is considered an exception to the trend of large countries having federal systems?
Which of the following countries is considered an exception to the trend of large countries having federal systems?
In a federal system, what is usually the responsibility of the central government?
In a federal system, what is usually the responsibility of the central government?
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What distinguishes a federal system from a unitary system?
What distinguishes a federal system from a unitary system?
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Which of the following is an outcome of Sri Lanka's governmental structure?
Which of the following is an outcome of Sri Lanka's governmental structure?
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Which countries exemplify federal political systems according to the content?
Which countries exemplify federal political systems according to the content?
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How does power distribution function in a federal system?
How does power distribution function in a federal system?
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What was one significant outcome of creating linguistic States in India after 1947?
What was one significant outcome of creating linguistic States in India after 1947?
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Which of the following is not a reason for the creation of new States in India?
Which of the following is not a reason for the creation of new States in India?
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Which language is recognized as the official language of India, but is the mother tongue of only about 40% of Indians?
Which language is recognized as the official language of India, but is the mother tongue of only about 40% of Indians?
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How many Scheduled Languages are recognized by the Indian Constitution?
How many Scheduled Languages are recognized by the Indian Constitution?
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What major political change occurred in India after 1990?
What major political change occurred in India after 1990?
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What action did the Central Government take in response to the demand for English to remain an official language?
What action did the Central Government take in response to the demand for English to remain an official language?
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What key feature differentiates a coalition government?
What key feature differentiates a coalition government?
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Which statement about the relationship between Centre and State governments is accurate?
Which statement about the relationship between Centre and State governments is accurate?
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Which Constitutional provision was aimed at ensuring the linguistic diversity of India?
Which Constitutional provision was aimed at ensuring the linguistic diversity of India?
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What fear did national leaders have regarding the formation of States based on language?
What fear did national leaders have regarding the formation of States based on language?
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What does the term 'federalism' refer to in the context of Indian governance?
What does the term 'federalism' refer to in the context of Indian governance?
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In what manner did the Supreme Court influence Centre-State relations?
In what manner did the Supreme Court influence Centre-State relations?
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What percentage of the Indian population identifies Hindi as their mother tongue?
What percentage of the Indian population identifies Hindi as their mother tongue?
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What is an example of how linguistic diversity is organized in India?
What is an example of how linguistic diversity is organized in India?
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Which subjects can only be legislated by the Union Government?
Which subjects can only be legislated by the Union Government?
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What power do the State Governments have in relation to the State List?
What power do the State Governments have in relation to the State List?
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In case of conflicting laws between Union and State on subjects in the Concurrent List, which law prevails?
In case of conflicting laws between Union and State on subjects in the Concurrent List, which law prevails?
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What role does the judiciary play in the federal structure?
What role does the judiciary play in the federal structure?
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Which of the following states enjoys special provisions under Article 371?
Which of the following states enjoys special provisions under Article 371?
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What constitutes residuary subjects in the context of Indian federalism?
What constitutes residuary subjects in the context of Indian federalism?
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Which body must approve changes to the power-sharing arrangement between the Union and State Governments?
Which body must approve changes to the power-sharing arrangement between the Union and State Governments?
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What happens when a new subject not mentioned in the lists arises?
What happens when a new subject not mentioned in the lists arises?
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What is the significance of linguistic States in the context of Indian federalism?
What is the significance of linguistic States in the context of Indian federalism?
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What is a Union Territory?
What is a Union Territory?
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Can the Prime Minister intervene in state police policies?
Can the Prime Minister intervene in state police policies?
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Which of the following subjects is NOT included in the Concurrent List?
Which of the following subjects is NOT included in the Concurrent List?
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Why is it difficult to change the federal structure in India?
Why is it difficult to change the federal structure in India?
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Which is an essential aspect of the success of federalism in India?
Which is an essential aspect of the success of federalism in India?
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What is the significance of the Eighth Schedule in the Indian Constitution?
What is the significance of the Eighth Schedule in the Indian Constitution?
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Why is decentralization deemed necessary in India?
Why is decentralization deemed necessary in India?
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Which term is used to refer to the rural local government in India?
Which term is used to refer to the rural local government in India?
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What percentage of positions in local government is reserved for women under the Constitution?
What percentage of positions in local government is reserved for women under the Constitution?
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What key change was introduced in the Constitution in 1992 regarding local government?
What key change was introduced in the Constitution in 1992 regarding local government?
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Which body is responsible for conducting elections to panchayats and municipalities?
Which body is responsible for conducting elections to panchayats and municipalities?
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What role does the gram sabha play in rural governance?
What role does the gram sabha play in rural governance?
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Which statement is inaccurate regarding the representation in local governments?
Which statement is inaccurate regarding the representation in local governments?
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How is the governance structure arranged from village level upwards?
How is the governance structure arranged from village level upwards?
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Which of the following states is described as being larger than entire countries in Europe?
Which of the following states is described as being larger than entire countries in Europe?
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What is the implication of federal power sharing in India?
What is the implication of federal power sharing in India?
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Which of the following statements about Hindi as a language in India is true?
Which of the following statements about Hindi as a language in India is true?
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What institutional change supports local government elections in India?
What institutional change supports local government elections in India?
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Why do people prefer local governments for decision making?
Why do people prefer local governments for decision making?
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What is one key characteristic that differentiates federal systems from unitary systems?
What is one key characteristic that differentiates federal systems from unitary systems?
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Which of the following statements best describes the nature of power-sharing in a federal system?
Which of the following statements best describes the nature of power-sharing in a federal system?
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In which of the following countries would you find a 'coming together' federation?
In which of the following countries would you find a 'coming together' federation?
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Which feature ensures the financial independence of each level of government in a federal system?
Which feature ensures the financial independence of each level of government in a federal system?
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What is a common misconception about federalism as reflected in the discussion among Nepalese citizens?
What is a common misconception about federalism as reflected in the discussion among Nepalese citizens?
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How does the federal system accommodate regional diversity?
How does the federal system accommodate regional diversity?
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What role do courts play in a federal system?
What role do courts play in a federal system?
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What significant change was introduced to India's federal structure post-independence?
What significant change was introduced to India's federal structure post-independence?
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Why are some federal systems described as 'holding together' federations?
Why are some federal systems described as 'holding together' federations?
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What was the primary consideration for the framers of the Indian Constitution regarding federalism?
What was the primary consideration for the framers of the Indian Constitution regarding federalism?
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Which aspect of federalism can lead to unequal power distribution among constituent units?
Which aspect of federalism can lead to unequal power distribution among constituent units?
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Which of the following best defines the jurisdiction in the context of federalism?
Which of the following best defines the jurisdiction in the context of federalism?
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What is required for changes to the fundamental provisions of a federal constitution?
What is required for changes to the fundamental provisions of a federal constitution?
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What is one consequence of the federal division of powers in a country like India?
What is one consequence of the federal division of powers in a country like India?
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Flashcards
Federalism
Federalism
A system of government where power is shared between a central authority and smaller political units (states or provinces).
Federal System
Federal System
A form of government where power is divided between a central government and regional governments.
Unitary System
Unitary System
A government system where all or most power is held by a central authority.
Levels of Government (Federation)
Levels of Government (Federation)
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Indian Government Type
Indian Government Type
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Power Division (Federal)
Power Division (Federal)
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Constitutional Powers
Constitutional Powers
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Belgium's Change
Belgium's Change
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Dual Objectives of Federalism
Dual Objectives of Federalism
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Power-Sharing Agreement
Power-Sharing Agreement
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Mutual Trust
Mutual Trust
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Balance of Power
Balance of Power
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Coming-Together Federations
Coming-Together Federations
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Holding-Together Federations
Holding-Together Federations
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Unitary Government
Unitary Government
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Jurisdiction
Jurisdiction
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Levels of Government
Levels of Government
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Constitutional Guarantees
Constitutional Guarantees
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Constitutional Amendment
Constitutional Amendment
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Court's Role (Dispute Resolution)
Court's Role (Dispute Resolution)
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Financial Autonomy
Financial Autonomy
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Indian Union
Indian Union
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Scheduled Languages
Scheduled Languages
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Non-Scheduled Languages
Non-Scheduled Languages
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Linguistic Diversity
Linguistic Diversity
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Mother Tongue
Mother Tongue
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Decentralisation
Decentralisation
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Local Government
Local Government
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Why Decentralise?
Why Decentralise?
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Panchayati Raj
Panchayati Raj
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Gram Panchayat
Gram Panchayat
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Gram Sabha
Gram Sabha
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Panchayat Samiti
Panchayat Samiti
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Zilla Parishad
Zilla Parishad
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Municipalities
Municipalities
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Municipal Corporations
Municipal Corporations
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Political Head of Zilla Parishad
Political Head of Zilla Parishad
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State Reorganization (1947)
State Reorganization (1947)
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Linguistic States
Linguistic States
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Cultural States
Cultural States
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Indian Language Policy
Indian Language Policy
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English in India (Post-1965)
English in India (Post-1965)
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Hindi Promotion in India
Hindi Promotion in India
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Center-State Relations in India
Center-State Relations in India
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Early Center-State Relations
Early Center-State Relations
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Rise of Regional Parties
Rise of Regional Parties
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Coalition Government
Coalition Government
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Center-State Relations (Present)
Center-State Relations (Present)
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Supreme Court's Role in Federalism
Supreme Court's Role in Federalism
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Linguistic Diversity of India
Linguistic Diversity of India
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121 Major Languages in India
121 Major Languages in India
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Union List
Union List
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State List
State List
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Concurrent List
Concurrent List
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What are 'residuary' subjects?
What are 'residuary' subjects?
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Special Status in India
Special Status in India
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Union Territories
Union Territories
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Changing the Power-Sharing Arrangement
Changing the Power-Sharing Arrangement
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Judicial Role in Federalism
Judicial Role in Federalism
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Why are there Agriculture and Commerce Ministers in the Union Cabinet?
Why are there Agriculture and Commerce Ministers in the Union Cabinet?
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Can a State Government prevent the Union Government's actions?
Can a State Government prevent the Union Government's actions?
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Can a State Government introduce new textbooks without Union approval?
Can a State Government introduce new textbooks without Union approval?
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Can the Prime Minister intervene in State Police matters?
Can the Prime Minister intervene in State Police matters?
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Beyond Constitutional Provisions
Beyond Constitutional Provisions
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Study Notes
Federalism
- Federalism is a system where power is divided between a central authority and smaller units (states, provinces).
- Typically, a federation has two levels of government: central and regional.
- The central government handles national matters, while regional bodies manage daily state affairs.
- Each level of government is independent of the other.
- Federalism aims to balance national unity with regional diversity.
- Power-sharing agreements and mutual trust are key to a successful federal system.
- The balance of power varies across federations, influenced by historical contexts.
- Federations can form in two ways: "coming together" (independent states uniting) and "holding together" (a larger country dividing power).
- In "coming together" federations, constituent states often have equal power.
- "Holding together" federations—India, Spain, Belgium—usually have a more powerful central government with unequal state powers.
- Some states may have special powers based on historical or societal differences.
- Federalism contrasts with unitary systems, where a single government level controls all or most powers.
Indian Government Type
- India's government is a "Union of States," based on federal principles, though not explicitly called a federation.
- It has two main levels: Union (Central) and State governments.
- A third tier, Panchyats and Municipalities, was later added.
- Powers are divided into three lists: Union, State, and Concurrent.
- Union List: National importance (defence, foreign affairs).
- State List: State and local matters (police, trade, agriculture).
- Concurrent List: Shared interest (education, forests, trade unions).
- The Union government's laws usually take precedence over conflicting state laws in the Concurrent list.
- The Union has power over "residuary" subjects not covered in the three lists.
- Some states have special provisions (Article 371) due to unique historical and social factors.
- Union Territories are areas under the direct control of the Central Government.
Key Features of Indian Federalism
- Multiple levels of government.
- Different tiers govern the same citizens with specific jurisdictions over legislation, taxation, and administration.
- Jurisdictions are constitutionally defined and guaranteed.
- Constitutional amendments require consent from both levels of government.
- Courts interpret the constitution and settle disputes between government levels.
- Revenue sources for each level are clearly defined to maintain financial autonomy.
Success of Indian Federalism
- The creation of linguistic states has unified the country and made administration simpler.
- India maintains a cautious language policy, preserving Hindi and recognizing other languages.
- Centre-State relations have improved with the rise of regional political parties and coalition governments, fostering respect for state autonomy.
- This new era respects the different state's autonomy.
- The Supreme Court has made it more challenging for the Central Government to arbitrarily dismiss state governments.
Decentralization in India
- India's size and internal diversity necessitate a third tier of government—local government.
- The rationale for decentralization is local knowledge of issues and efficient resource management.
- The Constitution originally had local bodies under the control of state governments.
- Amendments in 1992 strengthened local governments with constitutional provisions:
- Regular elections
- Reserved seats for marginalized groups (SC, ST, OBC).
- Women's reservation.
- Creation of state election commissions.
- Power-sharing and revenue allocation between states and local governments.
Challenges and Perspectives
- Some people fear that federalism leads to reservations like in India's caste system.
- Others argue it isn't necessary for smaller countries.
- The need for autonomy for certain regions is also recognized.
- Federalism can maintain unity while acknowledging regional diversity.
Linguistic Diversity
- India has over 1,300 distinct languages, categorized into major languages and subgroups.
- The 2011 Census recognized 121 major languages, 22 of which are scheduled languages.
- No single language is the majority mother tongue.
- The largest language (Hindi) is spoken by around 44% of the population.
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Description
This quiz delves into the concept of federalism, a system that divides power between a central authority and regional units. It explores the dynamics of governmental structures, the balance of power in different federations, and the processes that lead to the formation of federations. Test your understanding of this essential political system and its implications for governance.