NCERT Class 11 Political Science India Constitution at Work: Chapter 7 — Indian Constitution at Work Chapter Seven FEDERALISM
This chapter introduces the concept of Federalism and its functioning within the Indian context. It begins by illustrating the significant changes in India's political map since independence, highlighting the reorganization of states, boundary shifts, and name changes. These transformations reflect the dynamic nature of federalism in practice. The chapter aims to help students understand what federalism is, identify the federal provisions within the Indian Constitution, analyze the complex relationship between the central government and the states, and explore special constitutional provisions designed for states with unique characteristics. By studying this chapter, students will gain a comprehensive understanding of India's federal structure and its evolution.
Quick info
| Board | CBSE / NCERT |
|---|---|
| Class | Class 11 |
| Subject | Political Science |
| Book | India Constitution at Work |
| Chapter | Chapter 7 — Indian Constitution at Work Chapter Seven FEDERALISM |
| Language | English |
| PDF type | NCERT Textbook |
| Session | CBSE 2026 |
| Reading time | 2 minutes |
| Word count | 230 |
Learning outcomes
- Define and understand the concept of Federalism.
- Identify and explain the federal provisions in the Indian Constitution.
- Analyze the issues and dynamics in the relations between the Centre and the States.
- Recognize and understand special provisions for certain states.
Vocabulary
| Word | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Federalism | A system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units. |
| Provinces | Administrative divisions of a country, especially a territory forming part of a larger state. |
| Princely states | Semi-autonomous states ruled by Indian princes under the British Crown's paramountcy. |
| Reorganized | To organize again or in a different way. |
| Constituent political units | The individual states or regions that make up a federal union. |
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Practice questions
- What does the chapter suggest about the changes in India's political map since independence? Answer: The chapter suggests that the political map of India has undergone significant changes, including shifts in state boundaries, names, and the number of states.
- What were princely states in the context of India's independence? Answer: Princely states were semi-autonomous regions ruled by Indian princes that merged with the newly independent Indian union after 1947.
- According to the text, why have state boundaries and names changed over time? Answer: State boundaries and names have changed due to reorganization and according to the wishes of the people of those states.
Practice MCQs
Q1. What is the primary theme of Chapter 7 of 'India Constitution at Work'?
Explanation: The chapter title and introduction clearly indicate that the main topic is Federalism and its functioning in India.
Q2. Which of the following changes is mentioned as having occurred in India since independence?
Explanation: The introduction explicitly states that boundaries, names, and the number of states have changed dramatically over the years.
Q3. What were the 'princely states' in India?
Explanation: The text mentions that princely states were merged with the Indian union, implying they were distinct entities ruled by princes.
Q4. The chapter aims to help students understand the provisions related to:
Explanation: The learning objectives clearly state that the chapter will cover issues involved in the relations between the centre and the States.
Frequently asked questions
What is Federalism?
Federalism is a system of government where power is divided between a central authority and constituent political units, such as states or provinces.
What kind of changes have occurred in India's states since independence?
Since independence, the boundaries of states have changed, their names have been altered, and the total number of states has also changed.
What were the 'provinces' mentioned in the text?
Provinces were administrative divisions organized by the British government for administrative convenience before India's independence.
What will students be able to understand after studying this chapter?
Students will be able to understand what federalism is, the federal provisions in the Indian Constitution, issues in centre-state relations, and special provisions for certain states.
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NCERT Class 11 Political Science — India Constitution at Work — Chapter 7 — Indian Constitution at Work Chapter Seven FEDERALISM. Verified by NCERT Help Editorial Team. Reviewed on 29 Jul 2026. Last updated 10 Aug 2026.