How many subjects have been listed for Panchayats under Eleventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution?

The correct answer is (a) 18 subjects.

The Eleventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists 29 subjects that are to be devolved to the panchayats. However, the 73rd Amendment Act of 1992, which inserted the Eleventh Schedule, also states that the states may add or omit subjects from the list. As a result, the number of subjects that are actually devolved to the panchayats varies from state to state.

The 18 subjects that are listed in the Eleventh Schedule are:

1. Agriculture
2. Animal husbandry
3. Fisheries
4. Minor irrigation
5. Water management
6. Social forestry
7. Land improvement
8. Soil conservation
9. Minor forest produce
10. Cottage industries
11. Khadi and village industries
12. Rural housing
13. Drinking water
14. Roads
15. Rural electrification
16. Non-conventional energy sources
17. Poverty alleviation
18. Education

The Eleventh Schedule also includes a provision for the states to add or omit subjects from the list. As a result, the number of subjects that are actually devolved to the panchayats varies from state to state.