Q61. The discretionary powers of a Mayor usually exclude which of the following items?
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 61–65 of 65 questions
Q62. Identify the correct pair matching the Constitutional Part with the institutions it covers:
Explanation
Part IX of the Indian Constitution, added by the 73rd Amendment, contains the provisions relating to Panchayats. Part IXA, added by the 74th Amendment, contains the provisions relating to Municipalities. These parts provide the constitutional foundation for local self-government in India, ensuring that both rural and urban institutions have a clear legal status, regular elections, and defined functional domains.
Q63. The Ashok Mehta Committee (1978) proposed the creation of Nyaya Panchayats. Who was recommended to preside over them?
Explanation
The Ashok Mehta Committee recommended the establishment of Nyaya Panchayats as separate judicial bodies to handle local disputes, keeping them distinct from the development-oriented Panchayats. To ensure the impartiality and legal competence of these bodies, the committee recommended that they should be presided over by a qualified judge, rather than by elected village leaders or administrative officials.
Q64. Read the following statements regarding local financial powers:
Statement I: Gram Panchayats have absolute constitutional authority to levy any tax they deem fit without state intervention.
Statement II: The state legislature authorizes a Panchayat to levy, collect and appropriate certain taxes, duties, and tolls.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: Gram Panchayats have absolute constitutional authority to levy any tax they deem fit without state intervention.
Statement II: The state legislature authorizes a Panchayat to levy, collect and appropriate certain taxes, duties, and tolls.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Panchayats do not have absolute constitutional authority to levy any taxes at their own discretion. Instead, Article 243H specifies that the state legislature must pass laws to authorize a Panchayat to levy, collect, and appropriate specific taxes, duties, tolls, and fees. This ensures that the financial powers of local bodies are exercised within a framework established by the state.
Q65. A District Planning Committee is constitutionally mandated to:
Explanation
The constitutional mandate of a District Planning Committee is to serve as a bridge between various local government units. It is specifically required to consolidate the development plans prepared by the Panchayats and Municipalities within the district. By doing so, the committee creates a draft development plan for the entire district, ensuring that rural and urban development goals are harmonized.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 61 | (c) Issuing direct transfer orders for the Municipal Commissioner. |
| 62 | (a) Part IXA - Municipalities |
| 63 | (d) A qualified judge |
| 64 | (b) Statement II is correct and Statement I is incorrect. |
| 65 | (c) Consolidate the plans prepared by the Panchayats and Municipalities in the district. |
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.