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

Consider the following parameters:

  1. Population of the area
  2. Density of the Population
  3. Revenue generated for local administration
  4. Percentage of employment in agricultural activities
  5. Economic importance of the area Which of the following parameters decide the area to be qualified as Municipality?

  1. 1, 2 and 3

  2. 1, 3 and 5

  3. 1, 2, 3 and 5

  4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A transitional area, a smaller urban area or a larger urban area means such area as the governor may specify by public notification for this purpose with regard to the following factors:

Population of the area
Density of the population
Revenue generated for local administration
Percentage of employment in non-agricultural activities Economic importance or such other factors as the governor may deem fit.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements about Municipalities:

  1. State Finance Commission provides constitution of funds for crediting all money of municipalities.
  2. State Finance Commission assigns municipality with taxes, duties, toll and fees to be collected by the state government. Which of the above is/are correct?

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Both statements are incorrect. The State Finance Commission (not State) recommends principles for distribution of funds between state and municipalities, and it does not assign municipalities with taxes to be collected by state government. Article 243-I and 243-Y of the Constitution deal with State Finance Commission, which recommends financial principles but does not directly constitute funds or assign taxes.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

  1. 3-tier panchayati raj system is adopted by states like Rajasthan, Andhra Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
  2. In Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh, the unit of planning and development is at block level.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1: It is incorrect. Rajasthan adopted the 3 tier system while Tamil Nadu adopted the 2-tier system. Statement 2: It is correct. In Rajasthan and Andhra Pradesh pattern, panchayat samiti is powerful and the block is the unit of planning and development.

Multiple choice

The bearing of self government institution is present in which of the following?

  1. Fundamental Rights
  2. Directive Principles of State Policy
  3. 7th Schedule
  4. 11th Schedule
  5. 12th Schedule
    Select the correct option:

  1. Only 1, 2 and 4

  2. Only 2, 3 and 4

  3. Only 2, 3, 4 and 5

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

Statement 1. It is incorrect. There is no reference of self government in Fundamental Rights.

Statement 2. It is correct. Art.40 in DPSP says that the state shall take steps to organise village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self government.
Statement 3. It is correct. The reference of local government is present in the state list of 7th schedule.
Statement 4. It is correct. 11th schedule is dedicated to panchayat raj institutions which is the other name for local self government. Statement 5. It is correct. 12th schedule features the power and authority of urban local government which was declared in Magna Carta of local self government by Lord Ripon in 1882.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. MPs and MLAs represent constituencies of municipal areas.
  2. Members with special knowledge in municipal administration have the right to vote in meetings of municipal issues.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1: It is correct. MPs and MLAs represent constituencies of municipal areas. Members of the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assembly represent constituencies that comprises wholly or partly the municipal areas and members of Rajya Sabha and State Legislative Council registered as electors within municipal areas.

Statement 2: It is incorrect. Persons having special knowledge or experience in municipal administration have no right to vote in the meetings of municipality.

Multiple choice

Which of the following statements is/are correct?

  1. Preparation of electoral rolls for panchayat is done by State Election Committee.
  2. State legislatures make all legislation for panchayat election.

  1. Only 1

  2. Only 2

  3. Both 1 and 2

  4. Neither 1 nor 2
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1: It is correct. The superintendence, direction and control of the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduction of all elections to panchayats are vested in the State Election Committee. Statement 2: It is correct. The state legislature may make provisions w.r.t. all matters relating to elections to panchayat.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a type of municipality?

  1. Municipal Council

  2. Municipal Corporation

  3. Township

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

As per the 74th Amendment Act of 1992, municipality is one unit among 8 types of local governments and township is the other type. Under municipality, there are 3 sub-types. They are: Nagar Panchayat for transitional area between rural and urban areas, Municipal Council for smaller urban areas and Municipal Corporation for larger urban areas.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a type of Urban Local Government?

  1. Cantonment Board

  2. Township

  3. Port Trust

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

There are 8 types of Urban Governments. They are: Municipal Corporation, municipality, notified area committee, town area committee, cantonment board, township, port trust and special purpose agency.

Multiple choice

G.V.K. Rao Committee was adopted for

  1. Strengthening Community Development Programme

  2. Revitalisation of Panchayati Raj Institution for democracy and development

  3. Administrative arrangement for rural development and poverty alleviation

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

G.V.K  Rao Committee was appointed by planning commission in 1985 on administrative arrangement for rural development and poverty alleviation programmes.

Multiple choice

Which of the following committees is not associated with the system of rural local self government?

  1. Ashok Mehta Committee

  2. G. V. K. Rao Committee

  3. L. M. Singhvi Committee

  4. None of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Ashok Mehta Committee was formed in December 1977 under Janta government to revive and strengthen the declining panchayati raj system. G. V. K. Rao Committee was appointed by the planning commission in 1985 on administrative arrangement for rural development and poverty alleviation programmes. L. M. Singhvi committee was set up in 1986 by Rajiv Gandhi government on revitalisation of panchayati raj institution for democracy and development.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is the correct statement?

  1. A Sarpanch is elected by Gram Sabha.

  2. A Sarpanch is nominated by the Collector or Deputy Commissioner of the district.

  3. A Sarpanch is elected by the members of Gram Panchayat from among themselves.

  4. A Sarpanch is nominated by the President of Zila Parishad.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

A Sarpanch is elected by the members of Gram Panchayat from among themselves.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a source of income for Gram Panchayats?

  1. Property tax

  2. Tax on agricultural land

  3. Professional tax

  4. Tax imposed on pilgrimage
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The main source of income of the Gram Panchayat is the property tax levied on the buildings and open spaces within the village. Other sources of income include professional tax, taxes on pilgrimage, animal trade, grant received from the state government in proportion of land revenue and the grants received from the Zila Parishad. Tax on agricultural land is imposed by the state government and the revenue thus obtained forms a part of the state treasury.

Multiple choice

In the Panchayati Raj system, the 'Panchayat Samiti' is constituted at the

  1. village level

  2. block level

  3. city level

  4. district level
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

In India's three-tier Panchayati Raj system, the Gram Panchayat operates at the village level, the Panchayat Samiti (also called Block Samiti or Janpad Panchayat) operates at the block level, and the Zilla Parishad operates at the district level. The Panchayat Samiti is the intermediate level that connects village panchayats to the district council.