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

The provision for organising village Panchayats exists in the

  1. Preamble of the Constitution

  2. chapter on Directive Principles

  3. chapter on Local Self Government in the Constitution

  4. chapter on Fundamental Rights

Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
B Correct answer
Explanation

The original Constitution of India did not contain elaborate provisions with respect to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India, though village Panchayats as units of local administration had been functional since the early British days. As per Article 40 of the Constitution, a Directive exists in the Directive Principles of State Policy under which the State is required to 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. 

Multiple choice

What is the meaning of 'romantic' as used in the passage?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

However romantic the concept of self government might be, the reality is as grim as it was a decade ago. Power to the people has been a lip service, a mere slogan. If anything, the Panchayat System has virtually legitimised the exploitation of the rural elite, barring, of course, in a few states like West Bengal and Karnataka.

No one is blind to the fact that the scheduled caste members are made to sit separately in panchayat meetings, that the poorest of the poor is never identified and the benefits go to the preferred ones. So vicious is the trap that no law from Delhi can undo it overnight. Instead of mere legislation, however well-intentioned it may be, what is needed is political education and general awareness. The villager must be given scope for critical thinking on his environment. This is possible through his initiation into the understanding of the system he is a victim of.

The concept of community control must be replaced by community participation which would free the villager of unnecessary political and bureaucratic interference and give him a sense of belonging to the village property. Unless the Panchayati Raj builds up into a truly people’s movement backed by a willing community, the vested interests will stifle the rare lone voice of resistance.

  1. a feeling of love

  2. a feeling of excitement

  3. something fanciful

  4. imaginary or fictitious
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

The contextual meaning is something which is a cherished dream.

Multiple choice

Under the Panchayat System the rural elite has not been able to exploit in

Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

However romantic the concept of self government might be, the reality is as grim as it was a decade ago. Power to the people has been a lip service, a mere slogan. If anything, the Panchayat System has virtually legitimised the exploitation of the rural elite, barring, of course, in a few states like West Bengal and Karnataka.

No one is blind to the fact that the scheduled caste members are made to sit separately in panchayat meetings, that the poorest of the poor is never identified and the benefits go to the preferred ones. So vicious is the trap that no law from Delhi can undo it overnight. Instead of mere legislation, however well-intentioned it may be, what is needed is political education and general awareness. The villager must be given scope for critical thinking on his environment. This is possible through his initiation into the understanding of the system he is a victim of.

The concept of community control must be replaced by community participation which would free the villager of unnecessary political and bureaucratic interference and give him a sense of belonging to the village property. Unless the Panchayati Raj builds up into a truly people’s movement backed by a willing community, the vested interests will stifle the rare lone voice of resistance.

  1. Tamil Nadu

  2. Andhra Pradesh

  3. West Bengal

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

It is clear from the last line of the first paragraph.

Multiple choice

What can be the best title of the passage?

Directions: Read the passage and answer the questions that follow.

However romantic the concept of self government might be, the reality is as grim as it was a decade ago. Power to the people has been a lip service, a mere slogan. If anything, the Panchayat System has virtually legitimised the exploitation of the rural elite, barring, of course, in a few states like West Bengal and Karnataka.

No one is blind to the fact that the scheduled caste members are made to sit separately in panchayat meetings, that the poorest of the poor is never identified and the benefits go to the preferred ones. So vicious is the trap that no law from Delhi can undo it overnight. Instead of mere legislation, however well-intentioned it may be, what is needed is political education and general awareness. The villager must be given scope for critical thinking on his environment. This is possible through his initiation into the understanding of the system he is a victim of.

The concept of community control must be replaced by community participation which would free the villager of unnecessary political and bureaucratic interference and give him a sense of belonging to the village property. Unless the Panchayati Raj builds up into a truly people’s movement backed by a willing community, the vested interests will stifle the rare lone voice of resistance.

  1. Importance of political awareness

  2. Fighting bureaucratic control

  3. Community participation

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

The main thing discussed in the passage is the importance of participation of the community.

Multiple choice

The three tiers of Panchayat are for

  1. economic development

  2. running the government

  3. keeping law and order

  4. development and progress
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

Panchayati Raj is a system of governance in which gram panchayats are the basic units of administration. The three tiers of Panchayat are for development and progress. 

Multiple choice

The Constitution (Seventy-Third Amendment) Act, 1992, which aims at promoting the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the country, provides for which of the following?

  1. Constitution of District Planning Committees.
  2. State Election Commissions to conduct all panchayat elections.
  3. Establishments of State Finance Commissions.

  1. 1 only

  2. 1 and 2 only

  3. 2 and 3 only

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

The Constitution (Seventy-Third Amendment) Act, 1992, aims at promoting the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the country, provides for State Election Commissions to conduct all panchayat elections, Establishment of State Finance Commissions, bar to interference by court in election matters, power to impose taxes and financial resources.

Multiple choice

With reference to Panchayati Raj System, consider the following statements:

1.         Gram Sabha is the only permanent unit in Panchayati Raj system that is not constituted for a particular period. 2.         The reservation provisions for SC/ST/Women in Panchayati Raj System are not applicable to Arunachal Pradesh.

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
C Correct answer
Explanation

Statement 1: It is correct. Gram Sabha is a body consisting of all the persons registered in the electoral rolls relating to a village comprised within the area of Panchayat at the village level. Statement 2: It is correct. Any provision of Panchayati Raj is not applicable to states of Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram, Hill areas in the State of Manipur. Some provisions are not applicable to hill areas of the District of Darjeeling in the State of West Bengal which affect the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council (such as district level provisions). The reservation provisions of Panchayati Raj are not applicable to Arunachal Pradesh. 

Multiple choice political science directive principles of state policy savings, investment, wealth, welfare and business cycle fundamental duties and directive principles fundamental duties and directive principles of state policy

Which Directive Principle has been fully implemented in the country?

  1. Setting up village Panchayats as the unit of self-Government

  2. Securing the Uniform Civil Code throughout the country

  3. Prohibition of the use of intoxicants

  4. Providing adequate means of livelihood for all citizens
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
A Correct answer
Explanation

This principle has been transformed into reality through the Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 which provided for a three-tier Panchayati Raj system in the country. 

Multiple choice political science directive principles of state policy savings, investment, wealth, welfare and business cycle fundamental duties and directive principles fundamental duties and directive principles of state policy

The importance of Village Panchayats was 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
C Correct answer
Explanation

The importance of Village Panchayats was recognised by the fathers of the Indian Constitution. The provision for organising Village Panchayats exists in in the Directive Principles of State Policy under Article 40. Directive principles which are based on Gandhian ideology for Village Panchayat is:

“To organise village panchayats and endow them with necessary powers and authority to enable them to function as units of self-government.”

Multiple choice evs - i safety and first aid community health hygiene first aid

In India, ........ are responsible for maintaining the general well being of a particular area.

  1. Doctors

  2. Builders

  3. Municipal corporators

  4. Teachers
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation
  • The Greater Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (GHMC) is the civic body that oversees Public Municipal schools; Street lighting; Maintenance of parks and open spaces; Garbage disposal and street and Health & Sanitation. 
  • Hence, In India, Municipal corporators are responsible for maintaining the general well being of a particular area.   
  • So, the correct answer is 'Municipal corporators'.
Multiple choice sociology community study of community forests - tribals study of tribals

One-third of seats are reserved for women in the

  1. Community Development Programme.

  2. Health Centres.

  3. Private Organisations

  4. Panchayati Raj.
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
D Correct answer
Explanation

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act in India mandates that one-third of the seats in Panchayati Raj institutions be reserved for women.

Multiple choice geography human settlements settlements and service provision settlements representation of geographical features

The basic unit of settlement recurring throughout India is the village. Which of the following criteria is largely responsible for the selection of village sites?

  1. Behavioural patterns of the community

  2. Availability of flat land

  3. Essential resources like water and fuel

  4. Fuel resources and building materials
Reveal answer Fill a bubble to check yourself
C Correct answer
Explanation

Historically, the selection of village sites in India has been heavily influenced by the proximity to essential resources, particularly water sources and fuel, which are necessary for survival and daily life.

Multiple choice common health problem international health bodies health organisation biology

Which of the following is included in local bodies ?

  1. Municipal corporations

  2. Municipalities

  3. Town area committees

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

All cities towns and even the larger villages have some kind of local body to look after the health and sanitation of their people. These includes municipal corporations, municipalities, town area committees etc.