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Differentiate between… (Class 10 Social Science 2025, Q29)

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Social ScienceCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2025, set 32/6/1 · 3 marks · Short answer

CBSE Class 10 Social Science 2025: question 29

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2025, paper 32/6/1, section C, question 29, for 3 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q29 · 3 marks · Short answerFederalism

Differentiate between federal and unitary form of government with examples.

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2025 board paper, set 32/6/1.

Hints

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

Hint 1

Count the levels of government in each system.

Hint 2

Ask who holds the real power in each.

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. Federal system: there are two or more levels of government, and power is divided between them. Central and state governments work in coordination, with decentralisation and a balance of power. Examples: USA, Belgium.

    1 mark

  2. Unitary system: there is only one level of government, or sub-units are subordinate to the central government. All powers are vested in the centre, so power is centralised.

    1 mark

  3. In a unitary system the central government can pass orders to the provincial units, which have no independent powers. Example: Sri Lanka.

    1 mark

Answer: Federal: two or more levels with divided power (e.g. USA/Belgium). Unitary: one level, with power centralised (e.g. Sri Lanka).

Where the marks are

  • Federal features: two or more levels, decentralisation, balance of power (1 mark)
  • Unitary features: single level, centralised power, sub-units subordinate (1 mark)
  • Examples of both systems (1 mark)

Revise the chapter

  • Chapter: Federalism (notes, formulas, where marks are lost and every past question)
Practise this chapterBoard-style questions from Federalism, one at a time, marked against the answer key and marking points.Back to the full paper2025 board paper, set 32/6/1: 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.