Field and District Administration: RAS Prelims MCQs
82 RAS Prelims MCQs on field and district administration cover the Collector, the Tehsildar, the Revenue Inspector and the Patwari. The questions ask for the origin of the Collector’s office, revenue functions and terms, disaster management and law and order powers, and how land records connect to a farmer’s credit.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 11–20 of 82 questions
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · Field and District Administration
Q11. Consider the following statements regarding the District as the basic unit of administration: I. It is the principal geographical unit where state government policies are implemented. II. The district is universally recognized in India for revenue and general administration. III. The structural boundary of a district always perfectly matches a parliamentary constituency. IV. It serves as a localized hub for disaster management and law enforcement. Which of the above statement(s) is/are incorrect?
Explanation
While the district is the principal unit for implementing state policies and managing law enforcement, its boundaries do not always coincide with parliamentary constituencies. Constituencies are demarcated based on population for electoral purposes, whereas districts are created for administrative efficiency. The district serves as a hub for disaster management and remains the universally recognized unit for revenue collection.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · Field and District Administration
Q12. What is the fundamental difference between the District Collector and the District Magistrate?
Explanation
The roles of Collector and District Magistrate are often held by the same individual but represent different functional capacities. As a Collector, the officer focuses on land revenue, government dues, and general administration. As a District Magistrate, the officer exercises executive magisterial powers under the Code of Criminal Procedure to maintain public peace, order, and overall law administration.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · Field and District Administration
Q13. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer:
Functionary
Primary Task
A. District Magistrate
i. Conduction of Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha polls
B. District Development Officer
ii. Maintenance of public peace and order
C. District Election Officer
iii. Collection of land revenue and government dues
D. District Collector
iv. Implementation of rural development programs
Explanation
A District Magistrate is primarily responsible for maintaining public peace, while as the District Development Officer, they oversee rural development programs. In the capacity of District Election Officer, the official conducts Lok Sabha and Vidhan Sabha polls. Finally, as the Collector, they manage the collection of land revenue and various other government dues within the district’s jurisdiction.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · Field and District Administration
Q14. Identify the correct pair representing the revenue functions of the District Collector.
Explanation
Managing government lands and estates is a core revenue function of the District Collector. This involves ensuring the proper utilization of state property and maintaining accurate land records. While collectors handle diverse tasks like election coordination and disaster management, the administration of land resources and the collection of related dues remain their primary responsibilities under state revenue legislation.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · Field and District Administration
Q15. Which of the following is an exception to the regular revenue functions of a District Collector in Rajasthan?
Explanation
The District Collector is an executive officer and does not possess the authority to conduct trials for serious criminal offenses like murder. Such judicial functions are exclusively reserved for the District and Sessions Judge under the judicial branch. The Collector’s duties are limited to revenue administration, executive magistracy for maintaining order, land acquisition processes, and the distribution of agricultural loans.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · Field and District Administration
Q16. Consider the following functions of a District Collector/Magistrate: I. Imposing Section 144 of CrPC. II. Issuing domicile and caste certificates. III. Conducting municipal elections. IV. Acting as the Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority. V. Passing final verdicts in civil property ownership disputes. Which of the above statement(s) represents the correct functions?
Explanation
A District Collector performs several critical roles, including imposing Section 144 of the CrPC for public safety and issuing domicile or caste certificates. They also oversee the conduct of municipal elections and chair the District Disaster Management Authority. However, passing final verdicts in civil property ownership disputes is a judicial function handled by the civil courts, not the Collector.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · Field and District Administration
Q17. Under the framework of disaster management, what specific role does the District Collector play?
Explanation
Under the Disaster Management Act of 2005, the District Collector is designated as the Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority. In this role, the Collector is responsible for preparing the district’s disaster management plan and coordinating relief operations. They lead the local response to natural and man-made calamities, ensuring effective collaboration between various government departments and emergency services.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · Field and District Administration
Q18. Consider the following statements regarding the Tehsildar: I. The Tehsildar is the principal revenue officer at the Tehsil level. II. The Tehsildar acts as an Executive Magistrate when specially empowered. III. The Tehsildar is appointed directly by the President of India. Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Tehsildar serves as the principal revenue officer at the Tehsil level, managing land records and tax recovery. Additionally, they can act as an Executive Magistrate when specifically empowered by the state government for maintaining order. Tehsildars are typically appointed by the state government or through the state public service commission, rather than directly by the President of India.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · Field and District Administration
Q19. Who is the immediate controlling authority of the Patwari in the revenue hierarchy?
Explanation
In the revenue hierarchy, the Revenue Inspector, also known as the Girdawar or Kanungo, is the immediate controlling authority for the Patwari. The Inspector supervises the Patwari’s work, verifies the accuracy of land records, and conducts field inspections. This level of supervision ensures that the primary data collected at the village level is reliable before it moves up the administrative chain.
RAS PrelimsRajasthan Polity and Administration · Field and District Administration
Q20. The following question consists of two statements: one labeled as Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R). Examine these two statements carefully and select the correct answer: Assertion (A): The Naib Tehsildar plays a crucial subordinate role in revenue administration. Reason (R): The Naib Tehsildar has no statutory powers and acts purely as a clerk to the Tehsildar.
Explanation
The Naib Tehsildar plays a crucial role in revenue administration by assisting the Tehsildar in various executive and judicial tasks. Contrary to being a mere clerk, the Naib Tehsildar possesses specific statutory powers under the Rajasthan Land Revenue Act. They often have independent charge of sub-tehsils and perform essential duties related to land record maintenance, revenue recovery, and local administration.
Answer key for these questions
Q
Correct answer
11
(b) III only
12
(d) Collector manages revenue and administration, while Magistrate exercises executive magisterial powers.
13
(a) A-ii, B-iv, C-i, D-iii
14
(b) Managing government lands and estates - Revenue Administration
15
(b) Direct trial of murder cases under the Indian Penal Code
16
(a) I, II, III and IV
17
(c) Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA)
18
(a) I and II
19
(c) Revenue Inspector / Girdawar
20
(c) A is true but R is false.
Key facts from Field and District Administration
Warren Hastings created the office of the District Collector in 1772.
The Collector is Chairperson of the District Disaster Management Authority (DDMA) and manages government lands and estates under revenue administration.
The District Magistrate or Sub-Divisional Magistrate is empowered to act in a communal riot, and the District Magistrate chairs the monthly crime review meeting.
The Revenue Inspector (Girdawar or Kanungo) controls the Patwari and links village and Tehsil administration.
Girdawari is the assessment of crop conditions and harvest.
Revenue recovery is the legal mechanism to realise unpaid taxes and dues as arrears of revenue.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Field and District Administration?
This page has 82 practice MCQs on Field and District Administration (Rajasthan Polity and Administration). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Who created the office of the District Collector?
Warren Hastings, in 1772. The Collector was first meant to collect revenue and later became the main officer of the district, combining revenue, magisterial and developmental functions, and he still heads the district.
Who controls the Patwari?
The Revenue Inspector, also called the Girdawar or Kanungo. He supervises the Patwari’s land records and acts as the link between the village and the Tehsil, so that errors in village records can be corrected.
What is Girdawari?
Girdawari is the field inspection and recording of crop conditions and harvest by revenue staff. These records are the basis for assessing land revenue, relief in a crop failure and claims for farm credit.
