Q11. How is the Gram Sabha defined under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act?
Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Urban Bodies: RAS Prelims MCQs
65 RAS Prelims MCQs on local government cover the 73rd and 74th Amendments, the committees that led to them, the three-tier system, State Finance Commissions, the Eleventh Schedule and urban local bodies. The explanations give the Articles, dates and numbers that the exam asks for.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 11–20 of 65 questions
Q12. Under the mandatory provisions of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, reservation of seats is NOT compulsory for which of the following categories?
Explanation
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act makes it mandatory to reserve seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population. It also mandates that at least one-third of seats be reserved for women. However, providing reservation for Backward Classes is a discretionary power given to state legislatures, meaning it is not a compulsory constitutional requirement.
Q13. Given below are two statements, one labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The 73rd Amendment Act provides for the reservation of not less than one-third of the total number of seats for women in Panchayats.
Reason (R): The purpose of this reservation is to ensure the political empowerment of women at the grassroots level.
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The 73rd Amendment Act provides for the reservation of not less than one-third of the total number of seats for women in Panchayats.
Reason (R): The purpose of this reservation is to ensure the political empowerment of women at the grassroots level.
Explanation
The 73rd Amendment Act introduced mandatory reservation of no less than one-third of total seats for women in all Panchayati Raj Institutions. This landmark provision was designed specifically to ensure the political empowerment of women at the grassroots level. By increasing their participation in decision-making processes, the Act aims to foster gender equality and responsive governance in rural areas.
Q14. The Governor of a State constitutes a State Finance Commission to review the financial position of the Panchayats every:
Explanation
Under Article 243I of the Indian Constitution, the Governor of a state is required to constitute a State Finance Commission at the expiration of every five years. This commission reviews the financial position of both Panchayats and Municipalities. It makes recommendations regarding the distribution of tax proceeds between the state and local bodies to ensure fiscal sustainability.
Q15. Match List-I (Local Government Functionaries/ Bodies) with List-II (Primary Role):
| Local Government Functionaries/ Bodies | Primary Role |
|---|---|
| A. State Election Commission | i. Recommending devolution of taxes |
| B. State Finance Commission | ii. Conducting Panchayat elections |
| C. District Planning Committee | iii. Foundation of the Panchayati Raj system |
| D. Gram Sabha | iv. Consolidating rural and urban plans |
Explanation
The State Election Commission is responsible for conducting and supervising elections to local bodies. The State Finance Commission recommends the devolution of taxes and grants from the state to local governments. The District Planning Committee consolidates plans from rural and urban areas. Finally, the Gram Sabha is the foundational body that ensures direct democratic participation in the village.
Q16. Which of the following represents the correct sequence of Urban Local Bodies from the transitional area to the larger urban area as per the 74th Constitutional Amendment?
Explanation
The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act categorizes Urban Local Bodies based on the size and nature of the area. A Nagar Panchayat is constituted for transitional areas moving from rural to urban status. A Municipal Council is established for smaller urban areas. Large urban areas are governed by a Municipal Corporation, reflecting the increasing complexity and scale of city administration.
Q17. How many functional items are placed within the purview of Panchayats under the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution?
Explanation
The Eleventh Schedule, added to the Constitution by the 73rd Amendment Act, contains twenty-nine functional items. These items represent the subjects over which Panchayats have been granted powers and responsibilities. They include agriculture, land improvement, minor irrigation, animal husbandry, and rural housing, enabling these institutions to function as effective units of self-government for rural economic and social development.
Q18. Consider the following subjects:
I. Agriculture, including agricultural extension.
II. Fire services.
III. Minor forest produce.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are included in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution?
I. Agriculture, including agricultural extension.
II. Fire services.
III. Minor forest produce.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are included in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution?
Explanation
The Eleventh Schedule specifically includes agriculture and agricultural extension as core functional areas for Panchayati Raj Institutions. It also lists the management and development of minor forest produce. However, fire services are categorized under the Twelfth Schedule, as they are primarily an urban responsibility managed by municipalities rather than rural panchayats, which focus on rural developmental activities.
Q19. Find the odd one out among the following functional items in the context of the Eleventh Schedule:
Explanation
Land improvement, public health, and animal husbandry are all critical subjects listed under the Eleventh Schedule for rural governance. These areas are vital for the sustainability of village economies and community well-being. In contrast, slum improvement and upgradation are urban-centric functions explicitly listed in the Twelfth Schedule, falling under the jurisdiction of Municipalities rather than Panchayats.
Q20. The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, which gave constitutional status to municipalities, came into force on:
Explanation
The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, which provides a constitutional framework for municipalities, was enacted in 1992. It officially came into force on June 1, 1993. This Act granted constitutional status to urban local bodies, ensuring they function as effective institutions of self-government through regular elections, financial devolution, and the performance of specific urban planning and development functions.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 11 | (d) A body of persons registered in the electoral rolls of a village within the Panchayat area. |
| 12 | (c) Backward Classes |
| 13 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 14 | (a) Five years |
| 15 | (a) A-ii, B-i, C-iv, D-iii |
| 16 | (b) Nagar Panchayat, Municipal Council, Municipal Corporation |
| 17 | (a) 29 |
| 18 | (c) I and III only |
| 19 | (d) Slum improvement and upgradation |
| 20 | (c) 1 June 1993 |
Key facts from Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Urban Bodies
- The Balwantrai Mehta Committee of 1957 examined the Community Development Programme and the National Extension Service.
- The Eleventh Schedule lists 29 functional items for Panchayats.
- The Panchayat Samiti is the intermediate level; the Gram Panchayat is at the village level and the Zila Parishad at the district level.
- The 74th Amendment, which gave constitutional status to municipalities, came into force on 1 June 1993.
- The District Planning Committee is constituted under Article 243ZD.
- The Governor constitutes a State Finance Commission every five years; reservation for Backward Classes in Panchayats is a voluntary provision.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Urban Bodies?
This page has 65 practice MCQs on Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Urban Bodies (Indian Polity and Governance). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
How many subjects are in the Eleventh Schedule?
29 functional items, covering agriculture, minor irrigation, rural housing, drinking water, roads, education and other matters that may be transferred to Panchayats. It was added by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act.
When did the 74th Amendment come into force?
On 1 June 1993. It gave constitutional status to urban local bodies and added Part IXA, with the Twelfth Schedule listing their 18 functions. The 73rd Amendment for Panchayats had come into force earlier, in April 1993.
What is the sequence of urban local bodies?
From the transitional area to the largest city it is Nagar Panchayat, Municipal Council and Municipal Corporation. The type of body depends on the population and the nature of the area.