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 statements. 1. Courts have no jurisdiction to examine the validity of a law, relating to delimitation of constituencies of allotments of seats in respect of Panchayats.2. An election to a Panchayat can be called in question only by an election petition which should be presented to such authority and in such manner as may be prescribed by the State Election Commission. Which of the statements given 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
A Correct answer
Explanation

Article 243-O of the Constitution bars the courts from questioning the validity of laws relating to the delimitation of constituencies or allotment of seats in Panchayats. It also specifies that election disputes must be raised through an election petition presented to an authority prescribed by the State Legislature, not the State Election Commission.

Multiple choice

Local self Govt. in India, for the first time was introduced by

  1. Lord Rippon

  2. Lord Lytton

  3. Lord Curzon

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

Lord Ripon is known as the 'Father of Local Self-Government' in India due to his 1882 resolution. He aimed to provide popular political education and improve administration by involving local people in municipal and district boards.

Multiple choice

Consider the following statements:

  1. A Gram Sabha may exercise such powers and perform such functions at the village level as the Legislature of a State may, by law, provide.
  2. Parliament may, by law, make provisions with respect to maintenance of accounts by Panchayats.

Which of the statements given 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
A Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1 is correct as per Article 243A. Statement 2 is incorrect because the State Legislature, not Parliament, makes provisions for the maintenance of accounts by Panchayats under Article 243J.

Multiple choice

A panchayat samiti at the block level is

  1. An advisory body

  2. An administrative authority

  3. A consultant committee

  4. A supervisory authority
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The Panchayat Samiti serves as the intermediate tier of the Panchayati Raj system in India. It acts as an administrative authority that coordinates the activities of the Gram Panchayats within the block.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not the function of the Municipal Corporations?

  1. Maintenance of health and sanitation

  2. Registration of birth and death

  3. Disposal of the civil disputes

  4. Providing primary education
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Municipal Corporations are responsible for public services like sanitation, registration of vital statistics, and primary education. Civil disputes are handled by the judiciary, not municipal bodies.

Multiple choice

Under Panchayat Raj system, the lowest unit is the

  1. Zila Parishad

  2. Gram Sabha

  3. Vikas Khand Samiti

  4. Gram Panchayat
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

Gram Sabha remains the lowest unit of the Panchayati Raj system. Gram Panchayat is only the elected body. Gram Sabha is the total electorate and meets as the first tier of PR system. 

Multiple choice

Which of the following is not a local self governing institution?

  1. Town Area Committee

  2. Zila Parishad

  3. Food Corporation of India

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

The Food Corporation of India is a statutory body under the central government responsible for food security and storage, not a local self-governing institution.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is correct?

  1. A Sarpanch is nominated by the President of Zila Parishad.

  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 elected by Gram Sabha.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

According to the Panchayati Raj system, the Sarpanch is elected by the members of the Gram Panchayat, who are themselves elected by the Gram Sabha.

Multiple choice

Mandal Panchayats were recommended by

  1. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee

  2. Vengal Rao Committee

  3. Ashok Mehta Committee

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

The Ashok Mehta Committee (1977) recommended a two-tier system of Panchayati Raj, which included the Mandal Panchayat at the block level.

Multiple choice

The source of maximum income to Panchayati Raj institution is

  1. government grants

  2. local taxes

  3. regional funds

  4. none of these
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

Panchayati Raj institutions in India are largely dependent on government grants from the state and central governments for their financial requirements, as their own tax-raising powers are limited.

Multiple choice

Which of the following is correct statement?

  1. A Sarpanch is elected by the 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.