Panchayati Raj and Community Development

31. Which of the following statements regarding the Panchayat system is/ar

Which of the following statements regarding the Panchayat system is/are correct?

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  • 1. The Constitution of India envisages a three-tier system of Panchayat.
  • 2. Intermediate Panchayat stands between the village and district Panchayats in the State where the population is above 20 lakhs.
  • 3. All the seats in a Panchayat shall be filled by direct election from territorial constituencies in the Panchayat area.

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1 only
2 and 3 only
1 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2023
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All the given statements regarding the Panchayat system are correct.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, constitutionalized the Panchayati Raj system in India. It mandates a three-tier structure of Panchayats at the village, intermediate (Block/Taluk), and district levels.
Statement 1 is correct as Article 243B mandates the establishment of Panchayats at the village, intermediate, and district levels. Statement 2 is correct as per Article 243B(2), which provides for exemption from constituting an intermediate level Panchayat in states with a population not exceeding twenty lakhs. This implies states with a population above 20 lakhs must have the intermediate tier. Statement 3 is correct as Article 243C(2) stipulates that all members of a Panchayat at all three levels shall be elected by direct election from territorial constituencies. Reservations for SC/ST and women are also provided for, but the mode of filling seats is direct election.

32. Which one of the following statements relating to the duration of Panc

Which one of the following statements relating to the duration of Panchayat is not correct?

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Every Panchayat shall continue for six years from the date of its first meeting.
A Panchayat can be dissolved before the expiry of its term in accordance with the procedure prescribed by State Law.
Election to Panchayat must take place within six months of its dissolution.
A Panchayat reconstituted after premature dissolution shall continue only for a remainder of the period.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2023
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The correct answer is ‘Every Panchayat shall continue for six years from the date of its first meeting.’
According to Article 243E of the Constitution of India, the duration of every Panchayat is five years from the date appointed for its first meeting, unless sooner dissolved under any law for the time being in force. Therefore, the statement that a Panchayat shall continue for six years is incorrect.
Statements B, C, and D correctly reflect the provisions regarding the duration of Panchayats as per Article 243E. A Panchayat can be dissolved prematurely, elections must be held within six months of dissolution, and a reconstituted Panchayat serves only for the remaining term of the dissolved Panchayat.

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33. ‘Van Panchayats or Village Forest Councils’ are unique to which one am

‘Van Panchayats or Village Forest Councils’ are unique to which one among the following States?

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Himachal Pradesh
Chhattisgarh
Uttarakhand
Sikkim
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2022
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‘Van Panchayats’ or Village Forest Councils are a unique system of community forest management that is prevalent in the state of Uttarakhand.
These are self-governing institutions that manage local forests based on traditional practices and statutory provisions. They have been in existence for decades and have a distinct legal identity under state legislation.
While other states have various forms of community involvement in forest management, such as Joint Forest Management (JFM), the Van Panchayat system in Uttarakhand is considered a unique model with significant autonomy and legal backing for local communities to manage specific forest areas.

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34. Which committee on Panchayati Raj recommended a two-tier system by rem

Which committee on Panchayati Raj recommended a two-tier system by removing the block-level bodies?

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Balwantrai Mehta Committee
Ashok Mehta Committee
G.V.K. Rao Committee
L. M. Sanghvi Committee
This question was previously asked in
UPSC Geoscientist – 2021
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The Ashok Mehta Committee (1977) was appointed to suggest measures to strengthen Panchayati Raj Institutions. It recommended a two-tier system of Panchayati Raj, consisting of the Zila Parishad at the district level and the Mandal Panchayat (a group of villages) below it. This recommendation aimed to replace the existing three-tier system prevalent in many states, which included the block-level (Panchayat Samiti) body.
The Ashok Mehta Committee advocated for a two-tier Panchayati Raj system.
The Balwantrai Mehta Committee (1957) recommended the three-tier system (Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zila Parishad) which became the basis for Panchayati Raj in most states initially. The G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985) recommended making the district the basic unit for planning and giving the Zila Parishad the most importance. The L. M. Sanghvi Committee (1986) recommended constitutional recognition for Panchayati Raj.

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35. Article 243 (D) of the Constitution of India provides reserved seats i

Article 243 (D) of the Constitution of India provides reserved seats in Panchayats for:

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Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women.
Scheduled Tribes only.
Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and Other Backward Castes.
Other Backward Castes and Women.
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UPSC Geoscientist – 2021
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Article 243D of the Constitution of India deals with the reservation of seats in Panchayats. It mandates the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in every Panchayat in proportion to their population in the Panchayat area. It also mandates the reservation of not less than one-third of the total number of seats for women, including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to SCs and STs. While states are empowered to provide for reservation for Backward Classes (OBCs), this is not mandatory under Article 243D itself; it is left to the discretion of the state legislature. Option A correctly lists the categories for which reservation is mandatory under Article 243D.
Article 243D mandates reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women in Panchayats.
The reservation for OBCs in Panchayats is provided by individual state laws based on enabling provisions in the Constitution, but it is not a mandatory requirement under Article 243D at the central level like the reservations for SCs, STs, and women.

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36. Which of the following statements about the Panchayats in India, as pe

Which of the following statements about the Panchayats in India, as per the Constitution of India is/are correct ?

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  • 1. There is a provision for reservation of seats for the Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
  • 2. Panchayats are not authorised to collect taxes.

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1 only
2 only
Both 1 and 2
Neither 1 nor 2
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2023
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Statement 1 is correct. Article 243D of the Constitution, inserted by the 73rd Amendment Act, mandates the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in every Panchayat at all three levels (village, intermediate, and district) in proportion to their population in the Panchayat area. It also provides for reservation of not less than one-third of the total number of seats for women.
Statement 2 is incorrect. Article 243H empowers the Legislature of a State to endow Panchayats with the power to levy, collect and appropriate taxes, duties, tolls and fees in accordance with such procedure and subject to such limits as may be specified in the law. Thus, Panchayats are authorised to collect taxes through state legislation.
– Part IX of the Constitution, added by the 73rd Amendment Act (1992), provides the constitutional framework for Panchayats.
– Panchayats are local self-governing bodies at the village, intermediate, and district levels.
– The 73rd Amendment aims to decentralise power and ensure representation for weaker sections and women.
Article 243G lists the powers, authority, and responsibilities of Panchayats, which include implementing schemes for economic development and social justice. The State Legislature determines the specific powers delegated to Panchayats, including their financial powers like taxation.

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37. Under which Article of the Constitution of India has provision been ma

Under which Article of the Constitution of India has provision been made for reservation of seats for women in Panchayats ?

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Article 243 B
Article 243 C
Article 243 D
Article 243 E
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2021
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Article 243D of the Constitution of India makes provision for the reservation of seats in Panchayats.
– Article 243D mandates reservation for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs) in proportion to their population in the Panchayat area.
– It also mandates that not less than one-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Panchayat shall be reserved for women. This includes the seats reserved for SCs and STs for women.
– Furthermore, not less than one-third of the total number of offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats at each level shall be reserved for women.
The provisions related to Panchayats were introduced by the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992, adding Part IX to the Constitution. Articles 243 to 243-O cover these provisions. Article 243B deals with the Constitution of Panchayats. Article 243C deals with the Composition of Panchayats. Article 243E deals with the duration of Panchayats.

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38. Which one of the following statements in relation to Panchayats is no

Which one of the following statements in relation to Panchayats is not correct?

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Legislature of a State may, by law, make provisions with respect to the composition of Panchayats.
Panchayat area means the territorial area of a Panchayat.
Gram Sabha includes all persons in the electoral rolls of village within a Panchayat.
Reservation of seats for SCs and STs has nothing to do with proportion of their population.
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2020
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Reservation of seats for SCs and STs in Panchayats is directly linked to the proportion of their population. Article 243D (1) of the Constitution mandates reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in every Panchayat in proportion to their population in the Panchayat area.
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act introduced Part IX to the Constitution, establishing Panchayats as institutions of self-government and providing for their structure, powers, and functions, including reservations for SCs, STs, and women.
Article 243C deals with the composition of Panchayats, allowing state legislatures to make relevant laws. Article 243(e) defines “Panchayat area”. Article 243(b) defines Gram Sabha based on the electoral rolls. Article 243D specifically addresses the reservation of seats based on population proportion.

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39. The concept of “Four Pillar State”, free from district magistracy for

The concept of “Four Pillar State”, free from district magistracy for India was suggested by

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Lala Lajpat Rai
Ram Manohar Lohia
Raja Ram Mohan Roy
Subash Chandra Bose
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2019
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The concept of “Four Pillar State” (Chatushpada Rajya) was suggested by Ram Manohar Lohia.
Ram Manohar Lohia, a prominent socialist leader in India, advocated for a decentralized system of governance based on four pillars: the Centre, the State, the District, and the Village. He envisioned significant administrative, legislative, and financial powers vested in the district and village levels to ensure genuine grassroots democracy and reduce the over-centralization of power.
Lohia believed that this decentralized structure, free from the colonial-era power structure embodied by the District Magistrate, was essential for India’s true democracy and development. His ideas influenced socialist movements and discussions on Panchayati Raj institutions in India. The other leaders listed are not associated with this specific concept.

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40. Which of the following statements about the 73rd and 74th Constitution

Which of the following statements about the 73rd and 74th Constitution Amendment Act is/are correct?

  • 1. It makes it mandatory for all States to establish a three-tier system of Government.
  • 2. Representatives should be directly elected for five years.
  • 3. There should be mandatory reservation of one-third of all seats in all Panchayats at all levels for women.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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1 and 2 only
2 and 3 only
1, 2 and 3
3 only
This question was previously asked in
UPSC CDS-2 – 2017
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The correct answer is 2 and 3 only.
Statement 1: The 73rd Amendment Act mandates a three-tier system of Panchayats at the village, intermediate, and district levels. However, it exempts states with a population not exceeding 20 lakhs from having the intermediate level. Therefore, it is not mandatory for *all* states to establish a three-tier system; states with a population below the threshold can opt for a two-tier system. Statement 1 is incorrect.
Statement 2: The 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts provide for direct elections to all seats in Panchayats and Municipalities, respectively, and stipulate a uniform five-year term of office for these bodies. Statement 2 is correct.
Statement 3: Both the 73rd and 74th Amendment Acts mandate the reservation of not less than one-third of the total number of seats for women in every Panchayat/Municipality, including the seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. It also mandates reserving one-third of the total number of offices of chairpersons for women at all levels. Statement 3 is correct.
The 73rd Amendment Act added Part IX (“The Panchayats”) to the Constitution and the 74th Amendment Act added Part IXA (“The Municipalities”). These amendments aimed to provide constitutional status to Panchayati Raj and urban local bodies, respectively, and strengthen decentralization.

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