Social Science (087) — CBSE Class 10 board question

Vertical distribution of power in India is effective through a three-tier federal structure:

• Union Government handles national subjects.
• State Governments handle state subjects.
• Local Governments (Panchayati Raj and Municipalities) handle local issues after the 1992 Constitutional amendment.

This decentralisation ensures people's direct participation in governance and promotes local self-government.

Source: Federalism, Chapter 2 (Decentralisation in India)

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• The examiner wants you to link vertical power sharing → federalism → three tiers explicitly.
• Mention the 1992 amendment as the key step that made the third tier constitutionally effective — this earns a dedicated mark.
• Avoid writing about Belgium/Sri Lanka here; this question is India-specific.
• Two marks = two clear points (the three-tier structure + its effectiveness/outcome like decentralisation and participation).