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Read the given source and… (Social Science 2025 32/2/1 Q35)

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Social ScienceCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2025, set 32/2/1 · 4 marks · Case-based

CBSE Class 10 Social Science 2025: question 35

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2025, paper 32/2/1, section E, question 35, for 4 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q35 · 4 marks · Case-basedCompetency-basedPower-sharing

Read the given source and answer the questions that follow:
Decentralisation in India
The need for decentralisation was recognised in our Constitution. Since then, there have been several attempts to decentralise power to the level of villages and towns. Panchayats in villages and municipalities in urban areas were set up in all the States. But these were directly under the control of state governments. Elections to these local governments were not held regularly. Local governments did not have any powers or resources of their own. Thus, there was very little decentralisation in effective terms.
A major step towards decentralisation was taken in 1992. The Constitution was amended to make the third-tier of democracy more powerful and effective.

  1. (35.1)

    At how many levels has decentralisation of power been done in the Indian Constitution?

    1 mark
  2. (35.2)

    Explain the role of local self-government in solving problems.

    1 mark
  3. (35.3)

    "Local government is the best way to realise one important principle of democracy, namely local self-government." Explain the statement.

    2 marks

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2025 board paper, set 32/2/1.

Hints

Open one hint at a time and try again before the next.

Hint 1

Count the tiers of government: Centre, State and the third tier.

Hint 2

Ask who knows local problems best.

Hint 3

Think of how local bodies let ordinary people take part in decisions.

Step-by-step solution

Each step shows the marks it earns, as an examiner would award them. Checked by an independent re-solve from the question paper.

  1. (i) Decentralisation is at three levels: Central, State and Local government (rural and urban).

    1 mark

  2. (ii) Many problems are best settled locally because people know their local problems better and have better ideas on where to spend money and how to manage things efficiently.

    1 mark

  3. (iii) Local government ensures representation of diverse groups in the community.

    1 mark

  4. (iii) People can participate directly in decision making, which deepens democracy through wide participation.

    1 mark

Answer: (i) Three levels: Central, State, Local. (ii) Local people know local problems and how to spend money better. (iii) Local government allows representation and direct participation, deepening democracy.

Where the marks are

  • (i) Three levels: Centre, State, Local (1 mark)
  • (ii) Local knowledge of problems or better use of money (1 mark)
  • (iii) Representation of diverse groups (1 mark)
  • (iii) Direct participation deepens democracy (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

  • Chapter: Power-sharing (notes, formulas, where marks are lost and every past question)
Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from Power-sharing, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2025 board paper, set 32/2/1: every question, by section.

The question is transcribed from the official paper; figures are described in words. The solution, hints and chapter tag are ours. Spotted an error? Write tosupport@questionbuddy.in.