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How does the Indian… (Class 10 Social Science 2026, Q26)

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Social ScienceCBSE Class 10 · Board exam 2026, set 32/4/1 · 3 marks · Short answer

CBSE Class 10 Social Science 2026: question 26

Set in the CBSE Class 10 board exam of 2026, paper 32/4/1, section C, question 26, for 3 marks. Try it first; the hints and our step-by-step solution are below.

Q26 · 3 marks · Short answerFederalism

How does the Indian Constitution define the distribution of powers between the centre and the states? Explain with examples.

Source: official question paper from cbse.gov.in (PDF). See it in the full 2026 board paper, set 32/4/1.

Hints

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

Hint 1

How many lists does the Constitution have?

Hint 2

Match each list with its subjects.

Hint 3

What happens if a Union law and a state law conflict?

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. The Constitution gives a three-fold distribution of legislative powers through three lists. The Union List has subjects of national importance such as defence, foreign affairs, banking, communications and currency, and only the Union can make laws on them.

    1 mark

  2. The State List has subjects of state and local importance such as police, trade, commerce and agriculture, and the states make laws on them.

    1 mark

  3. The Concurrent List has subjects of common interest such as education, forests, trade unions, marriage and adoption. Both governments can legislate, and in a conflict the Union law prevails. Residuary subjects, such as computer software, go to the Union.

    1 mark

Answer: Powers are divided through the Union, State and Concurrent Lists, with residuary powers given to the Union.

Where the marks are

  • Union List with examples (1 mark)
  • State List with examples (1 mark)
  • Concurrent List and residuary powers (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 paper2026 board paper, set 32/4/1: 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.