SST Civics Class 10 Ch 1 Power Sharing Notes 2025 & Study Material

Power sharing is a foundational concept in political science, emphasising how democratic nations handle the division of power to ensure stability, protect diverse interests, and avoid conflicts. In Chapter 1 of the Class 10 Civics NCERT book, "Power Sharing," we explore how various forms of power sharing promote social harmony, peace, and stability within a country.

Let’s get into this chapter's key ideas and examples, made to support students in understanding these complex ideas effectively. The class 10 civics chapter 1 notes, question banks, and other study materials are curated to help students understand concepts clearly, regardless of their learning style. 

CBSE Class 10 Power Sharing Notes

Below contains links to downloadable PDFs for Class 10 Civics Chapter 1 notes, categorized according to each question typology.

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CBSE Class 10 Power Sharing Experiential Activities

Below, we have provided links to downloadable PDFs of the Experiential Learning Activity for Class 10 Civics Chapter 1, designed to help students apply their acquired knowledge in real-world situations.

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CBSE Class 10 Power Sharing Important Questions

Below, we have provided Class 10 Civics Important Questions that encompass all the key questions related to Power Sharing.

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CBSE Class 10 Power Sharing Mind maps

Below, we have provided Class 10 Civics Mind Maps that feature mind maps of the key concepts related to Power Sharing.

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CBSE Class 10 Power Sharing Question Bank

Below, we have provided Class 10 Civics Question Banks that cover all question typologies, along with detailed explanations from various resources, all in one place.

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CBSE Class 10 Power Sharing Support Material

Below, we have provided Class 10 Civics Support Materials that include Case Study-based questions from various concepts explained in the NCERT chapters.

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CBSE Class 10 Power Sharing DoE Worksheets

Below, we have provided Class 10 Civics Support Materials that feature Case Study-based questions covering various concepts explained in the NCERT chapters.

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Brief Summary of Power Sharing Civics Chapter 1

Power sharing in democracy is based on the belief that people in any society have diverse preferences and identities. Acknowledging these differences and giving them a voice in governance helps prevent conflicts and ensures peaceful coexistence. In a democracy, people’s voices are valued, which necessitates a power-sharing mechanism to maintain unity in diversity.

Two main reasons support the need for power sharing:

Prudential Reasons: Power sharing helps reduce conflicts between social groups, ensuring political stability and harmony.

Moral Reasons: Power sharing is an ideal of democratic governance, where citizens participate in decision-making directly or through elected representatives.

Case Studies: Belgium and Sri Lanka

The chapter presents two countries with distinct approaches to managing ethnic diversity: Belgium and Sri Lanka. These examples highlight both successful and unsuccessful outcomes of different power-sharing models.

Belgium: A Model of Accommodation

Belgium is a small European country with a diverse population. The country has three main communities:

• Dutch-speaking Flemish: approximately 19% of the population, mainly in the northern region of Flanders.
• French-speaking Walloons: About 40% of the population, concentrated in the southern Wallonia region.
• German-speaking community: Makes up about 1% of the population in the eastern region.

Due to ethnic diversity, Belgium faced tensions between Dutch and French-speaking communities. To manage these conflicts, Belgium adopted several power-sharing arrangements:

1. Equal Representation in Government: Both Dutch and French-speaking communities have an equal number of ministers in the central government, preventing any one group from overpowering the other.
2. State and Community Governments: Apart from the central government, each community (Dutch, French, and German) has its own government to oversee matters specific to their language and culture.
3. Brussels Arrangement: In Brussels, a bilingual region, separate governments manage different community matters to respect both groups' interests.
4. Community Governments: These governments handle education, culture, and language issues within each community.

The Belgian model is a successful example of how diverse communities can coexist peacefully, thanks to prudent power-sharing arrangements.

Sri Lanka: A Majoritarian Approach

Sri Lanka provides a contrasting example. In this island nation, two main ethnic communities exist:

• Sinhalese make up about 74% of the population, primarily practicing Buddhism.
• Tamils: Constitute around 18% of the population, with a majority being Hindu.

After gaining independence in 1948, the Sri Lankan government adopted policies favouring the Sinhalese majority, such as:

Sinhala as the Official Language: In 1916, Sinhala was made the official language, disregarding Tamil interests.

Preference in Jobs and Education: Sinhalese received preferential treatment, sidelining the Tamil community in government jobs and educational opportunities.

The lack of power sharing and the majoritarian approach led to tensions and ultimately a civil war between the Tamil minority and the Sinhalese government. Sri Lanka’s example shows how neglecting power-sharing arrangements can result in conflict and instability.

Forms of Power Sharing

This chapter also examines different forms of power sharing commonly seen in democracies:

Horizontal Power Sharing: Here, power is distributed among different branches of government, such as the executive, legislature, and judiciary. Each branch operates independently, providing a system of checks and balances to prevent any branch from becoming too powerful. For example, in India, the judiciary can review laws passed by the legislature, and the executive enforces these laws.

Vertical Power Sharing: Power is divided across various levels of government, such as central, state, and local governments. This arrangement is also known as federalism. Each level of government has specific powers and responsibilities, allowing regional governments to address local needs.

Power Sharing Among Social Groups: Power can also be shared among different social or ethnic groups. This form of power sharing provides representation to minority groups, as seen in Belgium, where community governments protect the interests of linguistic minorities.

Power Sharing Among Political Parties and Pressure Groups: In democracies, power is shared among multiple political parties to ensure no single party monopolises power. Coalition governments and alliance politics often exemplify this form of power sharing. Additionally, pressure groups and interest groups influence government decisions, making governance more inclusive.

Advantages of Power Sharing

Power sharing offers several benefits for democratic governance:

• Conflict Prevention: By giving representation to diverse groups, power sharing reduces social conflicts and fosters unity.
• Political Stability: Equitable power sharing helps avoid political turmoil, as people feel included in the governance process.
• Democratic Participation: Power sharing strengthens democracy by allowing citizens to participate in decision-making, either directly or indirectly.
• Better Governance: Shared power ensures that no single branch or group has unchecked authority, leading to more balanced and accountable governance.

Key Takeaways from Ch 1 - Power Sharing - CBSE Class 10 Civics

• Power sharing is the distribution of power among various organs or segments of society to avoid conflicts and ensure stability in a democratic setup.

Reasons for Power Sharing:

• Prudential Reasons: Power sharing reduces social conflicts and promotes political stability.
• Moral Reasons: It respects the spirit of democracy, ensuring everyone has a voice in governance.

Case Studies on Power Sharing:

Belgium:

• Belgium has Dutch-speaking, French-speaking, and German-speaking communities.
• To avoid ethnic conflict, Belgium introduced power-sharing measures, including equal representation in government, community governments, and a unique arrangement for Brussels.

Sri Lanka:

• The Sinhalese majority adopted a majoritarian approach, favouring Sinhala over Tamil, leading to civil war and tensions.
• Sri Lanka’s example illustrates the risks of excluding minorities from power-sharing arrangements.

Types of Power Sharing:

• Horizontal Power Sharing: Power is shared among different branches of government (executive, legislature, judiciary) to maintain checks and balances.
• Vertical Power Sharing: Power is distributed across various levels of government, like central, state, and local governments.
• Among Social Groups: ensures representation for ethnic or linguistic minorities, protecting cultural and regional identities.
• Among Political Parties and Pressure Groups: involves coalition governments, multiparty systems, and influence from interest groups, creating a more inclusive political environment.

Benefits of Power Sharing:

• Reduces the chances of conflict by involving diverse groups in decision-making.
• Encourages political stability and social harmony.
• Strengthens democratic principles by ensuring citizen participation in governance.
• Leads to a more balanced governance structure by preventing any single group or branch from becoming too powerful.

Power sharing is essential for the smooth functioning of a democratic nation. Through the examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka, students can see the contrasting outcomes of different power-sharing methods. Belgium’s model showcases how a balanced approach can create harmony, whereas Sri Lanka's majoritarian approach led to long-term conflict. 

Why should students download these Chapter-wise PDFs?

These PDFs make sure that students have reliable, syllabus-aligned resources for effective study and revision, supporting a smoother preparation journey for board exams.

Downloading chapter-wise PDFs for Civics, especially for topics like "Power Sharing" in Class 10, can be highly beneficial for students. Here’s why:

1. Structured and Easy Access: Chapter-wise PDFs provide focused content in one place, helping students access specific topics directly, which saves time and allows them to study efficiently.
2. Exam-Oriented Preparation: These PDFs often cover key points, summaries, FAQs, and important questions aligned with the CBSE syllabus, which helps students prepare directly for exams without additional search or filtering.
3. Offline Availability: With chapter PDFs, students can study anytime, anywhere, without needing internet access. This is especially helpful for revision on the go or in situations with limited connectivity.
4. Simplified Revision: Chapter-wise PDFs often condense content into simplified formats, such as bullet points, diagrams, and quick summaries, making revision faster and easier, particularly close to exam dates.
5. Helps in Self-Assessment: Many PDFs include sample questions, FAQs, and practice exercises that allow students to test their understanding of each chapter and identify areas that need improvement.

As students of civics, understanding power sharing helps in grasping the importance of inclusivity and prudence in governance. The chapter serves as a valuable lesson on the importance of embracing diversity within democratic frameworks, ensuring peace, stability, and equality for all citizens.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is power sharing important in a democracy?

Power sharing is important in a democracy because it reduces conflicts, promotes social harmony, and ensures that all groups in society have a voice. It helps to maintain political stability and protects the interests of minority groups, making governance more inclusive and fair.

What are the two main reasons for power sharing in a democratic country?

The two main reasons are:

Prudential Reason: Power sharing prevents social conflicts and ensures political stability.

Moral Reason: It upholds the democratic principle of respecting every group’s voice in decision-making.

How did Belgium and Sri Lanka handle ethnic diversity differently?

Belgium handled ethnic diversity by implementing power-sharing arrangements that included all communities in governance, resulting in stability and harmony.

Sri Lanka took a majoritarian approach that favoured the Sinhalese majority, leading to conflicts and civil war due to the exclusion of the Tamil minority.

What are the different forms of power sharing in democracies?

The forms of power sharing include:

• Horizontal Power Sharing (among branches like the executive, legislature, and judiciary)
• Vertical Power Sharing (across central, state, and local levels)
• Power Sharing Among Social Groups (to protect minority rights)
• Power Sharing Among Political Parties and Pressure Groups (involving coalitions and multiparty systems).

What lessons can be learned from the power-sharing examples of Belgium and Sri Lanka?

Belgium shows that a balanced, inclusive approach to power sharing can bring stability and peace. Sri Lanka’s example demonstrates that ignoring the needs of minority groups can lead to severe conflict, highlighting the importance of inclusive governance in maintaining harmony within a nation.