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 21–30 of 65 questions
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Urban Bodies
Q21. Match List-I (Type of Urban Area) with List-II (Type of Urban Local Body):
Type of Urban Area
Type of Urban Local Body
A. Transitional area
i. Municipal Corporation
B. Smaller urban area
ii. Municipal Council
C. Larger urban area
iii. Nagar Panchayat
D. Industrial township
iv. Industrial Establishment Authority
Explanation
Transitional areas between rural and urban settings are managed by Nagar Panchayats. Smaller urban areas are governed by Municipal Councils, while large urban centers fall under the jurisdiction of Municipal Corporations. Industrial townships may be governed by specific Industrial Establishment Authorities, excluding them from certain municipal provisions to focus on the industrial and administrative needs of the area.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Urban Bodies
Q22. Consider the following statements regarding the 74th Constitutional Amendment: I. It added Part IXA to the Constitution. II. It introduced the Twelfth Schedule containing 18 functional items. III. It completely exempts cantonment boards from any central legislation. IV. It mandates the constitution of Wards Committees in municipalities with a population of three lakhs or more. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The 74th Amendment Act added Part IXA and the Twelfth Schedule to the Constitution, identifying eighteen functional items for municipalities. It also mandates the creation of Wards Committees in municipalities with a population of three lakhs or more. While it structures urban governance, cantonment boards remain under central legislation, as they are governed by the Ministry of Defence.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Urban Bodies
Q23. Read the following statements regarding Urban Local Bodies: Statement I: The Mayor is the political head of a Municipal Corporation. Statement II: The Municipal Commissioner is the chief executive authority appointed by the state government. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
In the structure of a Municipal Corporation, the Mayor serves as the political head and the symbolic first citizen of the city. The Municipal Commissioner, usually an administrative officer appointed by the state government, acts as the chief executive authority responsible for implementing decisions. This separation of powers ensures that political leadership is balanced by professional administrative execution in cities.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Urban Bodies
Q24. Given below are two statements, one labelled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R): Assertion (A): The 74th Amendment Act provides for a District Planning Committee (DPC) in every state. Reason (R): The DPC is required to consolidate the plans prepared by the Panchayats and the Municipalities in the district.
Explanation
The 74th Amendment Act mandates the constitution of a District Planning Committee in every state at the district level. This body is crucial for holistic development because it is responsible for consolidating the various development plans prepared by the Panchayats and the Municipalities within the district. This ensures a unified approach to spatial planning and resource allocation for the region.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Urban Bodies
Q25. Under which Article of the Indian Constitution is the District Planning Committee constituted?
Explanation
Article 243ZD of the Indian Constitution provides for the constitution of a District Planning Committee in every state. The committee’s primary mandate is to consolidate the plans prepared by both rural and urban local bodies and to prepare a draft development plan for the district as a whole. This article ensures integrated planning for both rural and urban sectors.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Urban Bodies
Q26. Which of the following is generally considered an incorrect statement regarding the challenges faced by local self-governments in India?
Explanation
Local self-governments in India face significant challenges, including an over-dependence on state grants and the creation of parallel bodies by state governments. However, the claim that the devolution of Funds, Functions, and Functionaries is complete and uniform is incorrect. In reality, there is a wide disparity among states, with many local bodies still struggling for meaningful autonomy and resources.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Urban Bodies
Q27. Match List-I (Constitutional Schedule/Part) with List-II (Context):
Constitutional Schedule/Part
Context
A. Eleventh Schedule
i. Panchayats
B. Twelfth Schedule
ii. Municipalities
C. Part IX
iii. 29 Subjects
D. Part IXA
iv. 18 Subjects
Explanation
The Eleventh Schedule lists twenty-nine subjects for Panchayats, while the Twelfth Schedule contains eighteen functional items for Municipalities. Part IX of the Constitution provides the legal framework for Panchayati Raj Institutions in rural areas. Part IXA provides the same for urban local bodies, ensuring that both rural and urban governance are constitutionally protected and structured across India.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Urban Bodies
Q28. Consider the following planning levels in local self-government: I. District Planning Committee Plan II. Gram Panchayat Plan III. Panchayat Samiti Plan IV. Zila Parishad Plan Which of the following represents the correct order of the consolidation of these plans from the grassroots to the district level?
Explanation
The process of decentralized planning begins with the preparation of plans at the Gram Panchayat level. These are then reviewed and integrated by the Panchayat Samiti at the block level. The Zila Parishad further consolidates these into a district-wide rural plan. Finally, the District Planning Committee integrates these rural plans with urban plans to create a comprehensive development strategy.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Urban Bodies
Q29. What is the most likely effect of a lack of devolved ‘functionaries’ to Panchayati Raj Institutions?
Explanation
A lack of devolved functionaries means that Panchayati Raj Institutions do not have the necessary bureaucratic staff or technical experts under their direct control. This results in an inability to effectively execute the subjects and schemes transferred to them. Without human resources, the constitutional powers granted to these local bodies remain purely theoretical, hindering actual grassroots development and administration.
RAS PrelimsIndian Polity and Governance · Local Government: Panchayati Raj and Urban Bodies
Q30. Consider the following recommendations: I. Establishment of a three-tier Panchayati Raj system. II. Direct elections to the Zila Parishad. III. The District Collector should be the chairman of the Zila Parishad. Which of the above statement(s) represents the recommendations made by the Balwantrai Mehta Committee?
Explanation
The Balwantrai Mehta Committee recommended a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj consisting of the Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad. It also suggested that the District Collector should serve as the chairman of the Zila Parishad to ensure administrative coordination. However, the committee proposed indirect elections for the Zila Parishad rather than the direct election method.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
21
(a) A-iii, B-ii, C-i, D-iv
22
(b) I, II, and IV only
23
(c) Both statements are correct.
24
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
25
(a) Article 243ZD
26
(b) Devolution of 3Fs is complete and uniform across all Indian states.
27
(a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii
28
(b) II, III, IV, I
29
(a) Inability to effectively execute transferred subjects and schemes.
30
(c) I and III only
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.
