Civics Polity

Local Government System

642 Questions

The local government system questions focus on the structure, functions, and constitutional provisions of Panchayati Raj institutions and urban local bodies. Test takers will explore the electoral processes and responsibilities of Gram Panchayats and Zilla Parishads. This topic is highly relevant for state-level civil services and UPSC examinations.

Panchayati Raj structureGram Panchayat functionsUrban local bodiesZilla Parishad electionConstitutional provisions

Local Government System Questions

Multiple choice civics role of the state government legislature at the state level the legislature vidhan sabha and vidhan parishad

In the parlance of parliament and state legislatures, what is special majority?

  1. Two-thirds of present and voting members must vote yes, and this number must also constitute the majority of the total capacity of membership of that House

  2. Two-thirds of present and voting members must vote yes

  3. Two-thirds of present and voting members must vote yes, and there should also be two-thirds majority of the total capacity of membership of that House

  4. None of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Two-thirds of present and voting members must vote yes, and this number must also constitute the majority of the total capacity of membership of that House.

Multiple choice civics role of the state government legislature at the state level the legislature vidhan sabha and vidhan parishad

Who among the following in the state legislature decides the disqualification of a member of the legislative assembly arising on the grounds of defection?

  1. Speaker of Legislative Assembly

  2. Chief Minister

  3. Chairman of Legislative Council

  4. Leader of Majority party
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Such a decision by the Speaker is subject to judicial review as well as a Supreme Court's decision in 1992.

Multiple choice civics role of the state government legislature at the state level the legislature vidhan sabha and vidhan parishad

Who among the following in the state Legislature decides whether a bill is a Money Bill or not?

  1. Speaker of Legislative Assembly

  2. Chief Minister

  3. Chairman of Legislative Council

  4. Leader of Majority party
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

A speaker of Legislative Assembly is the head of the House. Who has all the power of approval as well as the rejection of bills. So the Speaker has the power to decide whether the bill is Money Bill or not.

Multiple choice general knowledge introduction to indian polity and governance union territory, reorganisation of the states and citizenship merger of princely states post - independence india

The Parliament of India passed the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Law popularly known as PESA Law. Which one among the following statements regarding PESA Law is not correct?

  1. PESA was meant to provide self-governance in the scheduled areas.

  2. PESA disempowers Gram Sabhas.

  3. PESA protects the interests of the tribals.

  4. PESA conducts public hearings to protect inheritance rights of the tribals.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

PESA (Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas) was enacted to empower Gram Sabhas in scheduled areas, not to disempower them. It aims to ensure tribal self-governance.

Multiple choice

The members of the panchayat are

  1. nominated by the district officer

  2. the electorates of the respective territorial constituencies

  3. nominated by local self-government minister of the state

  4. nominated by the block development organization
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Members of the Gram Panchayat are directly elected by the voters (the electorate) residing within the territorial constituencies of the panchayat area.

Multiple choice civics our district physical geography of rajasthan introduction to local self-government local self governing bodies

____________ was the first state in India to implement Panchayati Raj in India.

  1. Rajasthan

  2. Madhya Pradesh

  3. Uttar Pradesh

  4. Kerala
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Rajasthan was the first state to implement Panchayati Raj in India on 2nd of Oct 1959 in the Nagaur district. Rajasthan was followed by Andhra Pradesh which also implemented in the year 1959. Thereafter most of the states adopted the system.

Multiple choice civics local self-government-rural our district physical geography of rajasthan introduction to local self-government

Which is the basic, first formal democratic institution at the village level?

  1. Zila Parishad

  2. Gram Sabha

  3. Gram Panchayat

  4. Corporation
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Gram Panchayat is the basic, first formal democratic institution at the village level. It is the primary unit of local self-government.  Gram panchayat is a cabinet of the village elders, directly elected by the adult citizens of the village.

Multiple choice civics our district physical geography of rajasthan introduction to local self-government local self governing bodies

Panchayat Samitis are at the __________ level in the Panchayati Raj Institutions.

  1. Base

  2. Intermediate

  3. Top

  4. None
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Panchayat Samiti are rural local governments (panchayats) at the intermediate level in Panchayat Raj institutions. The 73rd Amendment defines the levels of panchayati raj institution as:

  1. District (or apex) level.
  2. Intermediate level.
  3. Base level.

Multiple choice political science election and democracy elections in indian society methods or types of election election in indian democracy

Which of the following statements about the Panchayat Raj Institutions after the Constitutional Amendment in 1992 are false?
I. Seats are reserved for the Scheduled Casts, Scheduled  Tribes, and Other Backward Classes in the elected bodies of the Panchayat Raj
II. Elections to the Panchayat Raj Institutions are supervised by the Election Commission of India.
III. Elections to the Panchayat Raj institutions are held regularly after every five years
IV. Half of the seats in all the States are reserved for women

  1. I and III

  2. I and II

  3. III and IV

  4. II and IV
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation
The Panchayati Raj in India signifies the system of rural local self-government. It was constitutionalized through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992. 
The act provides for the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in every panchayat in the proportion of their population to the total population in the panchayat area.
The act also provides for the reservation of not less than 1/3rd of the total number of seats for women. 
The act provides for a five-year term of office to the panchayat at every level. Further, fresh elections to constitute a Panchayat shall be completed before the expiry of its duration of five years.
The superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of all elections to the Panchayats shall be vested in the State election commission.
Multiple choice

What is the primary function of the Election Commission of India?

  1. To conduct elections to the Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha

  2. To conduct elections to the State Legislative Assemblies and Legislative Councils

  3. To conduct elections to the Panchayats and Municipalities

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Election Commission of India is responsible for conducting elections to the Lok Sabha, Rajya Sabha, State Legislative Assemblies, Legislative Councils, Panchayats, and Municipalities.

Multiple choice

What is the role of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 in tribal empowerment?

  1. It extends the provisions of the Panchayati Raj Act to tribal areas.

  2. It provides for the establishment of Gram Sabhas in tribal areas.

  3. It ensures the participation of tribal communities in the decision-making process at the local level.

  4. All of the above.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 plays a crucial role in empowering tribal communities by extending the provisions of the Panchayati Raj Act to tribal areas and ensuring their participation in local governance.

Multiple choice

What is the main function of the Inter-State Council?

  1. To resolve disputes between states

  2. To promote cooperation between states

  3. To advise the central government on inter-state matters

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The main function of the Inter-State Council is to resolve disputes between states, promote cooperation between states, and advise the central government on inter-state matters.

Multiple choice

What is the role of Panchayati Raj institutions in promoting rural development?

  1. They facilitate local participation in decision-making

  2. They implement development programs and projects

  3. They monitor and evaluate the progress of rural development initiatives

  4. All of the above
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Panchayati Raj institutions play a crucial role in promoting rural development by facilitating local participation in decision-making, implementing development programs and projects, and monitoring and evaluating the progress of rural development initiatives.

Multiple choice

What is the purpose of the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996?

  1. To extend the provisions of the Panchayats Act, 1992 to Scheduled Areas

  2. To provide special provisions for the administration of Scheduled Areas

  3. To provide special provisions for the administration of Scheduled Tribes

  4. To provide special provisions for the administration of both Scheduled Areas and Scheduled Tribes
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 extends the provisions of the Panchayats Act, 1992 to Scheduled Areas.

Multiple choice

What is the primary role of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in environmental protection?

  1. To promote sustainable agriculture practices

  2. To conserve and manage natural resources

  3. To regulate pollution and waste management

  4. To raise awareness about environmental issues
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

PRIs are responsible for the conservation and management of natural resources within their jurisdiction, including forests, water bodies, and land.