Q741. What is the most likely effect of a lack of devolved ‘functionaries’ to Panchayati Raj Institutions?
Indian Polity and Governance: RAS Prelims MCQs
944 RAS Prelims practice MCQs on Indian polity and governance are on this page, in 12 chapters. They cover the framing of the Constitution, the Preamble, Fundamental Rights, the Directive Principles, the Union executive, Parliament and the judiciary, Union-State relations, emergency provisions, local government, constitutional bodies, public policy and the vigilance and accountability institutions. Each question has an answer and an explanation.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
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Q742. 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?
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.
Q743. All of the following were recommendations of the Ashok Mehta Committee EXCEPT:
Explanation
The Ashok Mehta Committee made several recommendations to revitalize the Panchayati Raj system, including constitutional recognition, participation of political parties, and the establishment of separate Nyaya Panchayats. Significantly, they proposed a two-tier model instead of the three-tier system suggested by the Balwantrai Mehta Committee. This change aimed at making the district the primary unit for planning and administration.
Q744. Given below are two statements, one labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Balwantrai Mehta Committee coined the term ‘Democratic Decentralization’.
Reason (R): The committee aimed to create a system where local communities have the administrative and financial autonomy to govern themselves.
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): The Balwantrai Mehta Committee coined the term ‘Democratic Decentralization’.
Reason (R): The committee aimed to create a system where local communities have the administrative and financial autonomy to govern themselves.
Explanation
The Balwantrai Mehta Committee is credited with coining the term ‘Democratic Decentralization’ to describe its proposed three-tier system. The committee’s primary objective was to create a framework where local communities would have both the administrative authority and financial autonomy to manage their own affairs. This approach was intended to foster active participation in the nation’s developmental and democratic processes.
Q745. Which of the following is a voluntary (discretionary) provision of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act?
Explanation
Certain provisions of the 73rd Amendment are mandatory, such as establishing State Election and Finance Commissions and holding regular elections. However, some provisions are voluntary, leaving the decision to the state legislatures. Providing reservation for Backward Classes in Panchayats is one such discretionary provision, allowing states to adapt the reservation policy to their specific socio-political and demographic contexts.
Q746. Match List-I (Constitutional Articles on Reservation) with List-II (Institution/Process):
| Constitutional Articles on Reservation | Institution/Process |
|---|---|
| A. Article 243D | i. Elections to Municipalities |
| B. Article 243T | ii. Reservation in Panchayats |
| C. Article 243K | iii. Reservation in Municipalities |
| D. Article 243ZA | iv. Elections to Panchayats |
Explanation
Article 243D covers the reservation of seats in Panchayats, while Article 243T addresses reservation in Municipalities. Similarly, Article 243K deals with the conduct of elections to Panchayats through the State Election Commission. Article 243ZA provides the constitutional basis for elections to Municipalities, ensuring that the democratic process is consistently applied across both rural and urban local government bodies.
Q747. Which of the following represents the correct historical sequence of the establishment of local self-government milestones in independent India?
Explanation
The evolution of local self-government in India began with the Community Development Programme in 1952. Its evaluation led to the appointment of the Balwantrai Mehta Committee in 1957. Later, the Ashok Mehta Committee in 1977 suggested major reforms. This long process of refinement eventually culminated in the landmark 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992, which institutionalized Panchayati Raj.
Q748. The concept of Gram Sabha is best understood as an example of which type of democracy?
Explanation
The Gram Sabha is the most prominent example of direct democracy in the Indian political system. Unlike representative democracy where citizens elect officials to make decisions on their behalf, the Gram Sabha involves the direct participation of all registered voters in a village. This assembly allows every resident to have a voice in the planning and implementation of local development.
Q749. Consider the following matters regarding the State Finance Commission (SFC):
I. It determines the taxes, duties, and tolls to be assigned to Panchayats.
II. It recommends the grants-in-aid to Panchayats from the State Consolidated Fund.
III. It audits the accounts of the Gram Panchayats.
IV. It recommends measures to improve the financial position of Panchayats.
Which of the above statement(s) reflects the true functions of the SFC?
I. It determines the taxes, duties, and tolls to be assigned to Panchayats.
II. It recommends the grants-in-aid to Panchayats from the State Consolidated Fund.
III. It audits the accounts of the Gram Panchayats.
IV. It recommends measures to improve the financial position of Panchayats.
Which of the above statement(s) reflects the true functions of the SFC?
Explanation
The State Finance Commission is tasked with determining the taxes, duties, and tolls that can be assigned to Panchayats. It also recommends the amount of grants-in-aid given to these bodies from the State’s Consolidated Fund and proposes measures to improve their overall financial health. Auditing the accounts of local bodies is typically the responsibility of the state’s audit department.
Q750. The State Election Commissioner can be removed from office in the same manner and on the same grounds as a:
Explanation
To ensure the independence and impartiality of the State Election Commission, the Constitution provides that the State Election Commissioner cannot be removed from office except in the same manner and on the same grounds as a Judge of a High Court. This high threshold of security of tenure protects the commissioner from arbitrary removal by the executive or political leadership.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 741 | (a) Inability to effectively execute transferred subjects and schemes. |
| 742 | (c) I and III only |
| 743 | (b) Establishing a three-tier system for representation. |
| 744 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 745 | (c) Providing reservation for Backward Classes in Panchayats. |
| 746 | (a) A-ii, B-iii, C-iv, D-i |
| 747 | (a) Community Development Programme, Balwantrai Mehta Committee, Ashok Mehta Committee, 73rd Amendment |
| 748 | (b) Direct democracy |
| 749 | (b) I, II, and IV only |
| 750 | (a) Judge of a High Court |
Key facts from Indian Polity and Governance
- The RPSC syllabus lists the Indian Constitution, the political system and governance, with public policy, vigilance and accountability bodies as part of the paper.
- Article-number questions are the commonest: for example Article 356 for President’s Rule, Article 324 for the Election Commission and Article 243K for the State Election Commission.
- Statement and assertion-reason questions test exceptions, so learn each provision with its limits.
- Questions on bodies ask for appointing authority, removing authority, tenure and the body to which the report goes.
- The Rajasthan-specific part of polity is on a separate page, with its own 8 chapters.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Indian Polity and Governance?
This page has 944 practice MCQs on Indian Polity and Governance. Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which chapters does the Indian polity set cover?
Twelve chapters: framing of the Constitution, Preamble and citizenship; Fundamental Rights; DPSP and Fundamental Duties; Union executive; Parliament; Union judiciary; Union-State relations; emergency provisions; local government; constitutional and statutory bodies; public policy and citizen charter; and vigilance and accountability.
Is polity part of the RAS Prelims syllabus?
Yes. The RPSC syllabus for General Knowledge includes the Indian Constitution, political system and governance, together with the political and administrative system of Rajasthan, which is covered on the separate Rajasthan polity page.
How should I revise polity for RAS Prelims?
Make a table of articles, bodies and amendments. Attempt each chapter, read the explanation for every miss and note the article number and the exception. Repeat the chapter after a few days, as polity facts are easy to confuse.