Panchayati Raj and Community Development Archives

1. Which of the following statements relating to the Constitution (74 th

Which of the following statements relating to the Constitution (74^th Amendment) Act is/are correct?

It was passed to constitute Municipalities.
It provides for elections to Municipalities.
It has inserted Part IX A.

Select the correct answer using the code given below:

1 only

2 only

1 and 2

1, 2 and 3

This question was previously asked in

UPSC SO-Steno – 2017

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Statements 1, 2, and 3 are all correct regarding the Constitution (74th Amendment) Act. This amendment constitutionalized urban local self-government bodies, providing for their establishment and functioning.

The 74th Amendment mandated the constitution of Municipalities (Statement 1), ensured regular elections to these bodies (Statement 2) by introducing provisions for an Election Commission for Municipalities (Article 243K read with 243ZA), and added Part IXA (‘The Municipalities’) to the Constitution (Statement 3).

The 74th Amendment Act, 1992 came into force on 1st June 1993. It added the Twelfth Schedule to the Constitution, listing 18 functional items within the purview of Municipalities (Article 243W).

2. The Organization of Village Panchayats with specific powers and author

The Organization of Village Panchayats with specific powers and authority as may be necessary to endow them to function as units of self-government, is mentioned in

Article 40 of the Constitution of India

Article 41 of the Constitution of India

Article 42 of the Constitution of India

Article 43 of the Constitution of India

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2021-22

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Article 40 of the Constitution of India, which is a Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP), states 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.” This Article is a foundational principle guiding the establishment and empowerment of local self-government institutions at the village level.

Article 40 mandates the State to organize Village Panchayats and empower them as units of self-government.

While Article 40 was in the DPSP, it provided the basis for subsequent constitutional developments relating to Panchayati Raj. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions, adding Part IX and the Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution, and making the organization and functioning of Panchayats a mandatory requirement for States. However, the principle itself is articulated in Article 40. Articles 41, 42, and 43 deal with other DPSPs like right to work, just and humane conditions of work, and living wage, respectively.

3. The jurisdiction of the courts has been ousted in which one of the fol

The jurisdiction of the courts has been ousted in which one of the following matters?

Any law dealing with delimitation of constituencies with regard to election to municipalities

Reservations made for various categories for elections in municipalities

Disqualification for membership of a Panchayat

Election of members of the board in a cooperative society

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2019-20

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Article 243ZG of the Constitution, relating to Municipalities, explicitly bars interference by courts in electoral matters, stating that the validity of any law relating to the delimitation of constituencies or the allotment of seats to such constituencies cannot be called into question in any court. This represents a specific ouster of court jurisdiction.

– Article 243ZG(a) constitutionally ousts the jurisdiction of courts regarding the validity of laws related to the delimitation of constituencies and allotment of seats for municipalities.
– While election disputes can be raised through an election petition to a designated authority (as per 243ZG(b)), challenging the delimitation law itself in court is barred.
– Reservations (B) as a concept might be challenged on constitutional grounds, but the allotment of seats based on delimitation and reservation is covered by the ouster in 243ZG(a).
– Disqualification for Panchayat membership (C) is dealt with by state law and election petitions, with court intervention limited but not a complete constitutional ouster of the law itself like delimitation.
– Disputes in cooperative societies (D) are governed by state law, often through tribunals or registrars, with limited but not fully ousted court jurisdiction, and it’s not a constitutional ouster.

Similar provisions barring court interference in electoral matters for Panchayats exist in Article 243O of the Constitution. These articles aim to prevent delays and disruptions in local body elections by channeling specific disputes to designated authorities and barring challenges to the fundamental processes of delimitation and seat allotment in courts.

4. The Constitution of India does not require the constitution of Panchay

The Constitution of India does not require the constitution of Panchayats at

village level

intermediate level with a population exceeding 20 lakhs

all intermediate levels

district level

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2019-20

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The Constitution does not require the constitution of Panchayats at *all* intermediate levels.

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act mandates a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj: Village, Intermediate, and District levels (Article 243B). However, Article 243B(2) provides that Panchayats at the intermediate level may *not* be constituted in a State having a population *not exceeding twenty lakhs*. Therefore, the requirement for an intermediate level Panchayat is conditional on the state’s population. It is not required in states with a population up to 20 lakhs. Thus, the constitution of Panchayats is not required at *all* intermediate levels across the country or in every state irrespective of population.

Panchayats at the village and district levels are mandatory in all states where the three-tier system applies. The intermediate level (often block or taluk level) is optional for smaller states (population <= 20 lakhs).

5. In India, from 2006, the day 21 April is celebrated every year as the

In India, from 2006, the day 21 April is celebrated every year as the

National Science Day

National Ujjwala Day

National Panchayati Raj Day

Indian Civil Services Day

This question was previously asked in

UPSC Combined Section Officer – 2019-20

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Since 2006, April 21st is celebrated annually in India as ‘Indian Civil Services Day’. This day is chosen to commemorate the address given by Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel to the first batch of administrative service probationers at Metcalfe House, Delhi, in 1947, where he referred to civil servants as the ‘steel frame of India’.

Civil Services Day recognizes the contribution of India’s civil servants to the nation.

National Science Day is celebrated on February 28th. National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated on April 24th. There is no widely recognized ‘National Ujjwala Day’.

6. Which one of the following statements about Panchayati Raj Institution

Which one of the following statements about Panchayati Raj Institutions in India is not correct ?

Not less than one-third of the total number of the offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats at each level are reserved for women

Reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes are provided for at all the three levels of local bodies

States can provide for reservations for the Other Backward Classes (OBCs), if needed

State Election Commissioner is appointed by the President of India on the advice of the Governor to conduct Panchayat elections

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2023

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The statement that is not correct is D. The State Election Commissioner responsible for conducting Panchayat elections is appointed by the Governor of the respective state, not the President of India.

– Statement A is correct: Article 243D(4) of the Constitution mandates the reservation of not less than one-third of the total number of offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats at each level for women.
– Statement B is correct: Article 243D(1) provides for reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population in every Panchayat at all three levels (Gram, Intermediate, and District).
– Statement C is correct: Article 243D(6) allows the Legislature of a State to make provisions for reservation of seats or offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats in favour of backward classes of citizens (OBCs).
– Statement D is incorrect: Article 243K(1) vests the power of superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls for and the conduct of all elections to the Panchayats in a State Election Commission. Article 243K(2) specifies that the State Election Commissioner shall be appointed by the Governor of the State.

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions. This Act added Part IX to the Constitution, which includes provisions regarding the composition, duration, reservation of seats, powers, functions, and elections of Panchayats. The establishment of a State Election Commission independent of the Election Commission of India is a key feature ensuring free and fair elections to local bodies.

7. Gram Sabha means a body consisting of persons registered

Gram Sabha means a body consisting of persons registered

in the electoral rolls relating to a village comprised within the area of Panchayat at the village level.

in the electoral rolls of wards within the area of Panchayat.

in the electoral rolls of civic bodies within the area of Panchayat.

in the electoral rolls of several villages within a local body.

This question was previously asked in

UPSC CISF-AC-EXE – 2021

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The correct answer is A) in the electoral rolls relating to a village comprised within the area of Panchayat at the village level.

Article 243(b) of the Constitution of India, inserted by the 73rd Amendment Act, defines “Gram Sabha” as a body consisting of persons registered in the electoral rolls relating to a village comprised within the area of Panchayat at the village level. It is essentially the general body of all registered voters residing within the area of a village Panchayat.

The Gram Sabha is the foundation of the Panchayat Raj system. It is vested with powers and functions at the village level as the State Legislature may provide by law. It acts as a forum for direct participation of citizens in local governance, discussing and approving development plans and budgets, and holding the Panchayat accountable.

8. Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in

Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in

Federalism

Democratic decentralisation

Administrative delegation

Direct democracy

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2017

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The correct answer is B, stating that local self-government is best explained as an exercise in democratic decentralisation.

Democratic decentralisation is the process of transferring power, authority, and resources from central or state governments to elected local bodies, empowering them to make decisions and manage affairs at the local level. Local self-government bodies like Panchayats and Municipalities in India are prime examples of this principle in practice.

While related to the broader concept of power distribution, federalism typically refers to the division of power between the union and state governments. Administrative delegation involves assigning tasks but not necessarily the autonomy to govern. Direct democracy involves citizens participating directly in decision-making, which is different from the representative structure of local self-government bodies where elected representatives make decisions on behalf of the people. Thus, democratic decentralisation is the most fitting description.

9. Consider the following statements : 1. The minimum age prescribed fo

Consider the following statements :

1. The minimum age prescribed for any person to be a member of Panchayat is 25 years.
2. A Panchayat reconstituted after premature dissolution continues only for the remainder period.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

1 only

2 only

Both 1 and 2

Neither 1 nor 2

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2016

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The correct option is B) 2 only.

– Statement 1 is incorrect. Article 243F(1)(a) of the Constitution states that a person shall be disqualified for being chosen as, or for being, a member of a Panchayat if he is less than twenty-one years of age. Thus, the minimum age prescribed for becoming a member of Panchayat is 21 years, not 25 years.
– Statement 2 is correct. Article 243E(3) of the Constitution states that a Panchayat constituted upon the premature dissolution of a Panchayat shall continue only for the remainder of the period for which the dissolved Panchayat would have continued under clause (1) had it not been so dissolved. However, if the remainder period is less than six months, it shall not be necessary to hold any election for constituting the Panchayat for such period.

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, added Part IX to the Constitution, dealing with Panchayats. It provides for a three-tier system of Panchayats (Village, Intermediate, and District levels) and mandates their elections every five years. The age qualification for voting in Panchayat elections is 18 years, but for being a member, it is 21 years.

10. The fundamental object of Panchayati Raj system is to ensure which amo

The fundamental object of Panchayati Raj system is to ensure which among the following?

1. People’s participation in development
2. Political accountability
3. Democratic decentralization
4. Financial mobilization

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

1, 2 and 3 only

2 and 4 only

1 and 3 only

1, 2, 3 and 4

This question was previously asked in

UPSC IAS – 2015

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The correct option is C (1 and 3 only). The fundamental objectives of the Panchayati Raj system are primarily people’s participation in development and democratic decentralization.

– The Panchayati Raj system, formalized by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, aims to strengthen democracy at the grassroots level.
– Democratic decentralization (Statement 3) is the core principle, transferring power and responsibilities from the central/state government to local elected bodies.
– This decentralization enables and encourages people’s participation in the planning and implementation of development programs (Statement 1).
– Political accountability (Statement 2) exists as the elected representatives are accountable to the local electorate, but it’s a consequence of democratic setup rather than the primary objective itself.
– Financial mobilization (Statement 4) is crucial for the functioning of PRIs and undertaking development projects, but it’s a means to achieve the objectives of development and governance, not the fundamental objective for establishing the system.

The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957) is credited with recommending the three-tier Panchayati Raj system for democratic decentralization. The 73rd Amendment Act gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions, aiming to make them effective instruments of local self-governance and rural development.