Assertion (A) : Constitutional provisions define the powers of the States and the Centre. Reason (R) : Respect

Question

Q. Assertion (A) : Constitutional provisions define the powers of the States and the Centre. Reason (R) : Respecting regional sentiments is not just a matter of creating States but it has to be backed up with an institutional structure. (A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A). (B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A). (C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false. (D) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.

CBSECBSE Class XII Board 2026MCQ· 1mImportance★★★★★

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Concept understanding — Hydel Power Generation

Hydel power generation is simply electricity made from falling water. You already know the intuition: if you stand under a strong waterfall, the force of the water pushes you down. That force — the energy of moving water — is what we capture to spin a turbine and produce electricity.

The word "hydel" comes from "hydro" (water) and "electricity". In your NCERT textbook, hydel power is described as a renewable source of energy because it uses the natural flow of rivers, which is continuously replenished by rainfall and snowmelt. Unlike coal or petroleum, water is not "burnt up" in the process — it simply passes through the power station and continues downstream.

Here is how it works, step by step:

A dam is built across a river to create a reservoir (a large artificial lake). This stores water and gives it height — the higher the water is stored, the more potential energy it has.
Water is released from the reservoir through large pipes called penstocks. As it falls down, its potential energy converts into kinetic energy (the energy of motion).
The fast-moving water strikes the blades of a turbine, causing it to spin. The turbine is connected to a generator — a machine that converts mechanical rotation into electrical current.
The electricity is then sent through transmission lines to homes, factories, and cities.

Important

Hydel power is considered clean energy because it produces no smoke, no ash, and no greenhouse gases during operation. However, building large dams can displace communities and affect river ecosystems — this is a key trade-off discussed in your syllabus under "environmental concerns of development".

Why does this matter for a commerce or humanities student? Because hydel power is a major part of India's energy mix. It provides cheap, reliable electricity for industries, agriculture (pumping irrigation water), and households. States like Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and the northeastern states rely heavily on hydel projects. Understanding it helps you grasp topics like energy security, sustainable development, and regional economic disparities — all of which appear in your Economics and Geography papers.

A few key points to remember for exams: …

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Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why constitutional provisions defining powers are essential for a functional federal system that respects regional sentiments.

India's constitutional framework is designed to manage a vast and diverse nation, balancing the need for a strong central authority with the imperative to empower regional units. This balance is achieved through a federal system, where powers are distributed between the Union (Centre) and the States.

The Assertion states that constitutional provisions define the powers of the States and the Centre. This is fundamentally true. The Indian Constitution meticulously outlines the division of legislative, administrative, and financial powers between the Union government and the State governments. This division is primarily enshrined in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, which contains three lists:

Union List: Subjects on which only the Parliament can legislate (e.g., defence, foreign affairs, railways, banking).
State List: Subjects on which only the State Legislatures can legislate (e.g., public order, police, public health, agriculture).
Concurrent List: Subjects on which both the Parliament and State Legislatures can legislate, with Union law prevailing in case of conflict (e.g., education, forests, trade unions, marriage). Beyond these lists, various articles of the Constitution detail administrative and financial relations, ensuring clarity on who governs what and how resources are shared. This clear demarcation prevents conflicts and ensures smooth governance across different levels.

Important

The Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution is the primary mechanism for defining the legislative powers of the Union and State governments, crucial for India's federal structure.

The Reason posits that respecting regional sentiments is not just a matter of creating States but must be backed up with an institutional structure. This statement is also true. The creation of states, particularly along linguistic lines after India's independence, was a significant step towards acknowledging and respecting regional identities and cultures. However, merely drawing new boundaries or naming new states is insufficient for genuine regional autonomy and the effective addressing of local needs.

Note

The linguistic reorganization of states in India was a major step in acknowledging regional identities, but it required a robust federal framework to be truly effective.

For regional sentiments to be truly respected and for states to function effectively, they need real power and resources. This is where the "institutional structure" comes into play. This structure includes:

Defined Powers: States must have clear legislative and executive authority over subjects relevant to their regions. …

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Same / Similar Concept — real previous-year questions on the same or a closely similar concept, not this exact question.

CBSE 2026Set 62/3SPQR/41 markMCQ
$Q. Assertion (A) : Constitutional provisions define the powers of the States and the Centre. Reason (R) : Respecting regional sentiments is not just a matter of creating States but it has to be backed up with an institutional structure. (A) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true and Reason (R) is the correct explanation of Assertion (A). (B) Both Assertion (A) and Reason (R) are true, but Reason (R) is not the correct explanation of Assertion (A). (C) Assertion (A) is true, but Reason (R) is false. (D) Assertion (A) is false, but Reason (R) is true.$
›Reveal solutionSolution
Both the assertion and the reason are true, and the reason correctly explains why constitutional provisions defining powers are essential for a functional federal system that respects regional sentiments.

India's constitutional framework is designed to manage a vast and diverse nation, balancing the need for a strong central authority with the imperative to empower regional units. This balance is achieved through a federal system, where powers are distributed between the Union (Centre) and the States.

The Assertion states that constitutional provisions define the powers of the States and the Centre. This is fundamentally true. The Indian Constitution meticulously outlines the division of legislative, administrative, and financial powers between the Union government and the State governments. This division is primarily enshrined in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution, which contains three lists:

Union List: Subjects on which only the Parliament can legislate (e.g., defence, foreign affairs, railways, banking).

State List: Subjects on which only the State Legislatures can legislate (e.g., public order, police, public health, agriculture).

Concurrent List: Subjects on which both the Parliament and State Legislatures can legislate, with Union law prevailing in case of conflict (e.g., education, forests, trade unions, marriage). Beyond these lists, various articles of the Constitution detail administrative and financial relations, ensuring clarity on who governs what and how resources are shared. This clear demarcation prevents conflicts and ensures smooth governance across different levels.

Important

The Seventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution is the primary mechanism for defining the legislative powers of the Union and State governments, crucial for India's federal structure.

The Reason posits that respecting regional sentiments is not just a matter of creating States but must be backed up with an institutional structure. This statement is also true. The creation of states, particularly along linguistic lines after India's independence, was a significant step towards acknowledging and respecting regional identities and cultures. However, merely drawing new boundaries or naming new states is insufficient for genuine regional autonomy and the effective addressing of local needs.

Note

The linguistic reorganization of states in India was a major step in acknowledging regional identities, but it required a robust federal framework to be truly effective.

For regional sentiments to be truly respected and for states to function effectively, they need real power and resources. This is where the "institutional structure" comes into play. This structure includes:

Defined Powers: States must have clear legislative and executive authority over subjects relevant to their regions. …
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