CLASS 10 SOCIAL SCIENCE • CIVICS
COMPLETE BOARD EXAM REVISION NOTES • ALL 5 CHAPTERS
CHAPTER 1: POWER SHARING
Power sharing is the core principle of modern democracy where authority is distributed among different organs, levels, and groups of
society to maintain stability and prevent tyranny.
Case Studies Comparison:
Belgium (Accommodation): Population: 59% Dutch (Flemish), 40% French (Wallonia), 1% German. Capital Brussels:
80% French, 20% Dutch. Minorities held wealth, causing tension. Solution: Equal ministers in central govt, state govts non-
subordinate, equal representation in Brussels, and a unique 'Community Government' for cultural/educational matters.
Sri Lanka (Majoritarianism): Population: 74% Sinhala (Buddhist), 18% Tamil (Hindu/Muslim). Post-1948, Sinhala
government adopted Majoritarian policies (1956 Act making Sinhala sole official language, preference in jobs/universities).
Resulted in alienation, demand for 'Tamil Eelam', and civil war.
WHY IS POWER SHARING DESIRABLE?
Reason Type Core Explanation
Based on practical calculations of gains and losses. Reduces the possibility of social
Prudential Reasons conflict, prevents violence, and ensures political stability. Majoritarianism tyranny
undermines national unity.
Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A legitimate government is one where
Moral Reasons
citizens acquire a stake in the system through participation.
FORMS OF POWER SHARING
1. Horizontal Distribution (Checks and Balances): Power shared among different organs at the same level—Legislature, Executive,
and Judiciary. No organ has unlimited power; each organ checks the others.
2. Vertical Distribution (Federal Division): Power shared among governments at different levels—Central (Union), State
(Provincial), and Local (Panchayat/Municipality).
3. Social Groups: Power shared among different religious, linguistic, or social groups (e.g., 'Community Government' in Belgium,
reserved constituencies in India for SC/ST).
4. Political Parties, Pressure Groups & Movements: Citizens have choices between parties; coalition governments share power
among different ideological parties.
Class 10 Civics — Complete Notes Page 1
, CHAPTER 2: FEDERALISM
Definition: Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central
authority and various constituent units of the country.
Key Features of Federalism:
Two or more tiers/levels of government.
Different tiers govern the same citizens, but each tier has its own jurisdiction in legislation, taxation, and administration.
Jurisdiction is constitutionally guaranteed; fundamental provisions cannot be changed unilaterally by one level.
Courts act as an umpire; the Supreme Court resolves disputes between different levels of government.
Sources of revenue for each level are clearly specified to ensure financial autonomy.
ROUTES TO FEDERALISM
Route Type Mechanism Examples
Independent States voluntarily pool sovereignty and
Coming Together USA, Switzerland, Australia
retain identity to increase security. Equal state power.
A large country decides to divide its power between
Holding Together constituent states and the national government. Central India, Spain, Belgium
government is usually stronger.
WHAT MAKES INDIA A FEDERAL COUNTRY?
The Constitution originally provided a 2-tier system, later expanded to 3 tiers. Legislative powers are divided into 3 Lists:
UNION LIST Defense, Foreign Affairs, Banking, Atomic Energy, Currency (Central Govt alone makes laws).
STATE LIST Police, Trade, Commerce, Agriculture, Irrigation (State Govts alone make laws).
CONCURRENT LIST Education, Forest, Trade Unions, Marriage, Adoption (Both Central and State can legislate; Central law
prevails in case of conflict).
RESIDUARY LIST Subjects not in any list (e.g., Computer Software/IT) — Central Govt legislates.
DECENTRALISATION IN INDIA (1992 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT)
Key Steps Taken in 1992 (73rd & 74th Amendments):
1. Mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies.
2. Seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
3. At least one-third (33%) of all positions reserved for women.
4. An independent State Election Commission created in each state to conduct elections.
5. State governments required to share powers and revenue with local bodies.
Class 10 Civics — Complete Notes Page 2
COMPLETE BOARD EXAM REVISION NOTES • ALL 5 CHAPTERS
CHAPTER 1: POWER SHARING
Power sharing is the core principle of modern democracy where authority is distributed among different organs, levels, and groups of
society to maintain stability and prevent tyranny.
Case Studies Comparison:
Belgium (Accommodation): Population: 59% Dutch (Flemish), 40% French (Wallonia), 1% German. Capital Brussels:
80% French, 20% Dutch. Minorities held wealth, causing tension. Solution: Equal ministers in central govt, state govts non-
subordinate, equal representation in Brussels, and a unique 'Community Government' for cultural/educational matters.
Sri Lanka (Majoritarianism): Population: 74% Sinhala (Buddhist), 18% Tamil (Hindu/Muslim). Post-1948, Sinhala
government adopted Majoritarian policies (1956 Act making Sinhala sole official language, preference in jobs/universities).
Resulted in alienation, demand for 'Tamil Eelam', and civil war.
WHY IS POWER SHARING DESIRABLE?
Reason Type Core Explanation
Based on practical calculations of gains and losses. Reduces the possibility of social
Prudential Reasons conflict, prevents violence, and ensures political stability. Majoritarianism tyranny
undermines national unity.
Power sharing is the very spirit of democracy. A legitimate government is one where
Moral Reasons
citizens acquire a stake in the system through participation.
FORMS OF POWER SHARING
1. Horizontal Distribution (Checks and Balances): Power shared among different organs at the same level—Legislature, Executive,
and Judiciary. No organ has unlimited power; each organ checks the others.
2. Vertical Distribution (Federal Division): Power shared among governments at different levels—Central (Union), State
(Provincial), and Local (Panchayat/Municipality).
3. Social Groups: Power shared among different religious, linguistic, or social groups (e.g., 'Community Government' in Belgium,
reserved constituencies in India for SC/ST).
4. Political Parties, Pressure Groups & Movements: Citizens have choices between parties; coalition governments share power
among different ideological parties.
Class 10 Civics — Complete Notes Page 1
, CHAPTER 2: FEDERALISM
Definition: Federalism is a system of government in which power is divided between a central
authority and various constituent units of the country.
Key Features of Federalism:
Two or more tiers/levels of government.
Different tiers govern the same citizens, but each tier has its own jurisdiction in legislation, taxation, and administration.
Jurisdiction is constitutionally guaranteed; fundamental provisions cannot be changed unilaterally by one level.
Courts act as an umpire; the Supreme Court resolves disputes between different levels of government.
Sources of revenue for each level are clearly specified to ensure financial autonomy.
ROUTES TO FEDERALISM
Route Type Mechanism Examples
Independent States voluntarily pool sovereignty and
Coming Together USA, Switzerland, Australia
retain identity to increase security. Equal state power.
A large country decides to divide its power between
Holding Together constituent states and the national government. Central India, Spain, Belgium
government is usually stronger.
WHAT MAKES INDIA A FEDERAL COUNTRY?
The Constitution originally provided a 2-tier system, later expanded to 3 tiers. Legislative powers are divided into 3 Lists:
UNION LIST Defense, Foreign Affairs, Banking, Atomic Energy, Currency (Central Govt alone makes laws).
STATE LIST Police, Trade, Commerce, Agriculture, Irrigation (State Govts alone make laws).
CONCURRENT LIST Education, Forest, Trade Unions, Marriage, Adoption (Both Central and State can legislate; Central law
prevails in case of conflict).
RESIDUARY LIST Subjects not in any list (e.g., Computer Software/IT) — Central Govt legislates.
DECENTRALISATION IN INDIA (1992 CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT)
Key Steps Taken in 1992 (73rd & 74th Amendments):
1. Mandatory to hold regular elections to local government bodies.
2. Seats reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and Other Backward Classes (OBC).
3. At least one-third (33%) of all positions reserved for women.
4. An independent State Election Commission created in each state to conduct elections.
5. State governments required to share powers and revenue with local bodies.
Class 10 Civics — Complete Notes Page 2
