Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan: RAS Prelims MCQs
74 RAS Prelims MCQs on rural development and Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan cover the officials of the three tiers, the rural schemes and the self-help group movement. The BDO, the District Planning Committee, MGNREGA social audit, PMAY-G, PMGSY, NRLM, Panchasutra and the Gram Sabha quorum are asked as facts, matches and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 21–30 of 74 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Economy · Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan
Q21. Assertion (A): Gram Sabhas in Rajasthan have the power to approve the plans, programs, and projects for social and economic development. Reason (R): The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act empowered the State Legislatures to endow Gram Sabhas with necessary powers to function as institutions of self-government at the village level.
Explanation
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act was a landmark in empowering local self-government by giving legal recognition to the Gram Sabha. This body serves as the legislative foundation at the village level, with the authority to approve development plans and monitor progress. Because the state legislature has endowed it with these powers, the Gram Sabha can effectively direct socioeconomic development projects.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Economy · Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan
Q22. Under the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act, the term of office for every Panchayat, unless dissolved sooner, is fixed for how many years?
Explanation
Under the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act and the constitutional mandate, the term of office for every level of the Panchayati Raj Institution is fixed at five years. This regular cycle ensures democratic accountability and allows for periodic elections. If a Panchayat is dissolved before its term ends, elections must be held within six months to reconstitute the body for representation.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Economy · Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan
Q23. Which of the following best describes the core purpose of conducting a Social Audit of MGNREGA works in Rajasthan?
Explanation
A Social Audit in the context of MGNREGA is a powerful tool for transparency and community participation. It allows the actual beneficiaries to review the records, inspect work sites, and assess whether funds were spent correctly and if the engineering quality is standard. This process helps identify corruption, ensures accountability of officials, and empowers the community to take ownership.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Economy · Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan
Q24. Consider the following statements regarding the 1959 Nagaur experiment in Rajasthan: I. It marked the formal beginning of the Panchayati Raj system in independent India. II. It was based on the recommendations of the Ashok Mehta Committee. III. It implemented the three-tier system of local self-government. IV. The initiative aimed to ensure democratic decentralization. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The 1959 Nagaur experiment was based on the recommendations of the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee, not the Ashok Mehta Committee. It established the pioneering three-tier structure that aimed to bring democratic decentralization to rural India. This initiative was a significant step in moving towards local self-government, allowing rural communities to have a direct say in their own developmental processes.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Economy · Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan
Q25. Regarding the devolution of funds, functions, and functionaries to Panchayats in Rajasthan, which of the following statements is incorrect?
Explanation
The process of devolving funds, functions, and functionaries is not static or identical across India; it varies significantly between states based on their specific laws. In Rajasthan, while the 11th Schedule provides a framework of 29 subjects, the actual implementation involves recommendations from State Finance Commissions and overcoming administrative hurdles where line departments may still hold control over local staff.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Economy · Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan
Q26. The District Planning Committee (DPC) is structurally tasked with integrating the plans of rural and urban areas. A significant proportion of DPC members are elected from amongst whom?
Explanation
The District Planning Committee is designed to be a representative body that integrates rural and urban perspectives. To ensure democratic participation, at least four-fifths of its members must be elected from among the members of the Zila Parishad and the Municipalities within the district. This structure ensures that those responsible for local governance have a role in shaping the district plan.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Economy · Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan
Q27. Which of the following correctly outlines the rationale behind implementing the Backward Region Grant Fund (BRGF) in specific districts of Rajasthan?
Explanation
The Backward Region Grant Fund was established to address regional imbalances by providing additional financial support to districts that lagged behind in development. In Rajasthan, the scheme provided resources to historically disadvantaged areas to build essential infrastructure, improve service delivery, and enhance the capacity of local governments. This targeted approach aimed to bring these districts on par with prosperous regions.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Economy · Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan
Q28. In the context of rural-urban migration in Rajasthan, the term "distress migration" primarily refers to:
Explanation
Distress migration refers to the movement of people who feel they have no choice but to leave their homes due to survival threats. In Rajasthan, this is often triggered by extreme weather events like prolonged droughts, which lead to total crop failure. Without alternative livelihoods in their villages, rural families move to cities in a desperate search for work and sustenance.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Economy · Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan
Q29. Match the key concepts in List I with their descriptions in List II and select the correct answer using the codes given below.
List I
List II
A. Democratic Decentralization
i. Sustaining sanitation
B. E-Gram
ii. Transfer of authority
C. ODF Plus
iii. Community-led verification
D. Social Audit
iv. Digital empowerment
Explanation
Democratic decentralization involves the transfer of authority to local bodies. E-Gram is a digital empowerment initiative for local governance. ODF Plus focuses on sustaining sanitation and waste management. Social Audit is a community-led process to verify public works and spending. Together, these concepts represent the modern framework of rural development and governance aimed at transparency, sustainability, and local empowerment.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Economy · Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan
Q30. Identify the correct statement regarding the integration of agriculture and livestock in Rajasthan’s rural economy.
Explanation
In Rajasthan, agriculture and livestock are deeply interconnected through a system of mixed farming. This integration is vital because crops often fail during the state’s frequent dry spells. Livestock provides a steady secondary source of income and nutrition, acting as a buffer against economic loss. This traditional practice is a sophisticated strategy for survival and economic stability in challenging environments.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
21
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
22
(c) 5 years
23
(a) Community assessment of engineering quality and financial transparency of public works.
24
(b) I, III and IV only
25
(d) A static process identical across all Indian states without variation.
26
(c) Elected members of the Zila Parishad and Municipalities in the district.
27
(b) Financial resources for districts with historical deficits to close infrastructural gaps.
28
(d) Movement forced by harsh environmental conditions, crop failure, and lack of options.
29
(a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii
30
(c) Mixed farming provides a risk-mitigation strategy against climatic uncertainties.
Key facts from Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan
The Block Development Officer holds the executive power of the Panchayat Samiti.
The District Planning Committee consolidates the plans of Panchayats and Municipalities into a draft district plan.
Findings of the MGNREGA social audit must be discussed in the Gram Sabha.
PMAY-G uses the AwaasSoft MIS; a PMGSY road has a five-year built-in maintenance contract.
Panchasutra means five principles of SHG management, including regular meetings and savings.
The Gram Sabha quorum is one-tenth of the members; the State Government reserves seats for SC, ST and women in Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan?
This page has 74 practice MCQs on Rural Development and Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan (Rajasthan Economy). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Who holds the executive power of the Panchayat Samiti?
The Block Development Officer (BDO). The order of officials from the village to the district is the Village Development Officer, the BDO and the Chief Executive Officer, who heads the Zila Parishad administration.
What is the quorum of a Gram Sabha in Rajasthan?
One-tenth of the total members. The Gram Sabha is the body of all the registered voters of a village, and it discusses the social audit and the plans of the Gram Panchayat.
What is the Panchasutra for SHGs?
Five principles of SHG management: regular meetings, regular savings, inter-loaning, timely repayment and proper books of account. Women’s SHGs in Rajasthan follow it to build discipline and credit.
