Q761. Identify the incorrect statement regarding the concept of "Devolution of 3Fs" in local self-government:
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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Q762. Consider the following challenges cited in the functioning of local self-government in India:
I. Irregular elections in some states prior to the 73rd/74th amendments.
II. Inadequate mobilization of internal financial resources.
III. Reluctance of state governments to devolve powers.
IV. Interference by local Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
Which of the above statement(s) reflects the major enduring challenges of local bodies?
I. Irregular elections in some states prior to the 73rd/74th amendments.
II. Inadequate mobilization of internal financial resources.
III. Reluctance of state governments to devolve powers.
IV. Interference by local Members of Legislative Assembly (MLAs).
Which of the above statement(s) reflects the major enduring challenges of local bodies?
Explanation
Local self-government in India continues to face several enduring challenges, including historical issues with irregular elections and poor internal revenue generation. Furthermore, the reluctance of state governments to fully devolve powers and the frequent interference by local political figures like MLAs can undermine the autonomy of these institutions. Addressing these issues is vital for the long-term success of decentralized governance in India.
Q763. Read the following statements regarding local self-government:
Statement I: The State Legislature may endow the Panchayats with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self-government.
Statement II: The 73rd Amendment makes it mandatory for the State Legislature to devolve all 29 subjects in the Eleventh Schedule to the Panchayats.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: The State Legislature may endow the Panchayats with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self-government.
Statement II: The 73rd Amendment makes it mandatory for the State Legislature to devolve all 29 subjects in the Eleventh Schedule to the Panchayats.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Constitution allows state legislatures to endow local bodies with the powers necessary to function as institutions of self-government. However, the 73rd Amendment does not make it mandatory for states to devolve all twenty-nine subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule. The degree of devolution remains a discretionary matter for each state, leading to significant variations in the powers held by Panchayats.
Q764. Match List-I (Key Concept/Term) with List-II (Associated Context):
| Key Concept/Term | Associated Context |
|---|---|
| A. Democratic Decentralization | i. Balwantrai Mehta Committee |
| B. 3Fs Challenge | ii. Gram Sabha |
| C. Direct Democracy | iii. Nagar Panchayat |
| D. Transitional Area | iv. Funds, Functions, Functionaries |
Explanation
The Balwantrai Mehta Committee introduced the concept of democratic decentralization. The "3Fs" represent the three core challenges for local bodies: Funds, Functions, and Functionaries. Direct democracy is best exemplified by the Gram Sabha in rural areas. Finally, the concept of a transitional area refers to those regions moving from rural to urban status, which are governed by a Nagar Panchayat.
Q765. Consider the following systemic features of Panchayati Raj:
I. Constitution of Gram Sabha.
II. Direct elections to all seats at all tiers.
III. 33% reservation for women.
IV. Constitution of State Election Commission.
V. Constitution of State Finance Commission.
Which of the above statement(s) was made mandatory by the 73rd Amendment Act?
I. Constitution of Gram Sabha.
II. Direct elections to all seats at all tiers.
III. 33% reservation for women.
IV. Constitution of State Election Commission.
V. Constitution of State Finance Commission.
Which of the above statement(s) was made mandatory by the 73rd Amendment Act?
Explanation
The 73rd Amendment Act introduced several mandatory provisions to ensure a uniform Panchayati Raj system.
Q766. In which year did the Balwantrai Mehta Committee submit its report outlining the scheme of ‘democratic decentralisation’?
Explanation
The Balwantrai Mehta Committee was appointed in early 1957 to review the Community Development Programme and the National Extension Service. After a thorough investigation, the committee submitted its influential report in November 1957. The report recommended a three-tier system of local self-government, which laid the foundation for the contemporary Panchayati Raj system in India through its plan for democratic decentralization.
Q767. Which of the following was NOT recommended by the Ashok Mehta Committee?
Explanation
The Ashok Mehta Committee made several key recommendations, such as separating Nyaya Panchayats from development activities and preventing the arbitrary supersession of local bodies. They also suggested appointing a dedicated minister for Panchayati Raj at the state level. However, the committee did not recommend the complete abolition of the Gram Sabha, although it did propose a shift toward a two-tier system.
Q768. Identify the correct statement regarding the tenure of Panchayats under the 73rd Amendment:
Explanation
According to the 73rd Amendment, the tenure of a Panchayat is five years. If a Panchayat is dissolved prematurely, fresh elections must be conducted within a period of six months from the date of its dissolution. However, if the remaining term of the dissolved Panchayat is less than six months, it is not mandatory to hold elections for that short period.
Q769. Read the following statements regarding the reservation of offices of chairpersons in Panchayats:
Statement I: The offices of the chairpersons in the Panchayats at the village or any other level shall be reserved for the SCs and STs in proportion to their population.
Statement II: The state legislature is not authorized to reserve chairperson offices for backward classes.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Statement I: The offices of the chairpersons in the Panchayats at the village or any other level shall be reserved for the SCs and STs in proportion to their population.
Statement II: The state legislature is not authorized to reserve chairperson offices for backward classes.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Constitution mandates the reservation of the offices of chairpersons in Panchayats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes based on their population ratio. While this is a compulsory provision, the 73rd Amendment also authorizes state legislatures to make additional provisions for the reservation of chairperson offices for Backward Classes. This means the state has the discretionary power to include other disadvantaged groups.
Q770. Find the odd one out among the following local bodies, as it is NOT explicitly structured and governed by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act:
Explanation
Nagar Panchayats, Municipal Councils, and Municipal Corporations are the three main types of Urban Local Bodies formally structured and granted constitutional status under the 74th Amendment Act. Cantonment Boards, however, are established for the administration of civilian populations in military areas and are governed by the Cantonments Act, a piece of central legislation managed by the Union Ministry of Defence.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 761 | (a) Amendments automatically executed complete 3Fs transfer in all states. |
| 762 | (d) I, II, III, and IV |
| 763 | (a) Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect. |
| 764 | (a) A-i, B-iv, C-ii, D-iii |
| 765 | (d) I, II, III, IV, and V |
| 766 | (a) 1957 |
| 767 | (c) The Gram Sabha should be abolished entirely as an institution. |
| 768 | (a) If a Panchayat is dissolved, elections must be held within six months of its dissolution. |
| 769 | (a) Statement I is correct and Statement II is incorrect. |
| 770 | (b) Cantonment Board |
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.