Civics Polity

Local Government System

622 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 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

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

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.

Multiple choice

The importance of Village Panchayats has been recognised by the fathers of the Indian Constitution. The provision for organising Village Panchayats exists in

  1. Preamble of the Constitution

  2. Chapter on Fundamental Rights

  3. Chapter on Directive Principles

  4. Amendments to the Constitution
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Correct answer is (4).  The 73rd Amendment 1992 added a new Part IX to the constitution titled “The Panchayats” covering provisions from Article 243 to 243(O); and a new Eleventh Schedule covering 29 subjects within the functions of the Panchayats. 

Multiple choice

Consider the following facts.

  1. The powers, authorities and responsibilities of Panchayats are mentioned in the Twelfth Schedule, inserted in the Constitution of India by 73rd Amendment Act, 1992.
  2. Powers and responsibilities of Panchayats include preparation of plan and implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice, and levying, collecting and appropriating taxes, duties, toll and fees.

Which of the above is/are correct?

  1. 1 only

  2. 2 only

  3. Both 1 and 2

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

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act added Schedule Eleven to the Constitution, which deals with powers, authorities and responsibilities of Panchayati Raj institutions. The Twefth Schedule was added by 74th Amendment Act, 1992 and it deals with the powers, authorities and responsibilities of municipalities.

Multiple choice

Sub-district hospitals included under rural hospitals are known as:

  1. Taluk hospitals

  2. Specialty hospitals

  3. Sub-divisional hospitals

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

Rural hospitals have been set up and these include the sub-district hospitals which are known as the sub-divisional / taluk / specialty hospitals (estimated to be about 2000 in the country).