MCQs

1. What is federalism?

a) A system where power is centralized in the national government

b) A system where power is divided between the central and state governments

c) A system where military leaders control the government

d) A system where only local governments have power

2. Which of the following is NOT a characteristic of federalism?

a) Multiple levels of government

b) The central government has supreme authority over all matters

c) The constitution guarantees powers to different levels of government

d) Courts resolve disputes between different levels of government

3. In which year did Belgium become a federal state?

a) 1947

b) 1972

c) 1993

d) 2001

4. What is the key difference between a federal and a unitary system?

a) A federal system has multiple levels of government with independent powers

b) A unitary system has equal power-sharing between central and state governments

c) A federal system does not allow local governments

d) A unitary system has no central government

5. What type of federation is India?

a) Coming-together federation

b) Holding-together federation

c) Military federation

d) Monarchical federation

Answers and Explanations

1. (b) A system where power is divided between the central and state governments.

• Federalism involves sharing power between different levels of government .

2. (b) The central government has supreme authority over all matters.

• In a federal system, both the central and state governments have constitutionally guaranteed powers .

3. (c) 1993.

• Belgium officially became a federal state in 1993 .

4. (a) A federal system has multiple levels of government with independent powers.

• In a federal system, both central and state governments function independently in their respective domains .

5. (b) Holding-together federation.

• India is a “holding-together” federation where power is distributed among different states but the central government retains significant authority .