Q51. Identify the correct statement regarding the interaction between the Sub-Divisional Officer (SDO) and the local police.
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 51–60 of 82 questions
Q52. 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 District Collector’s role as a District Development Officer has evolved significantly since the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act.
Reason (R): The 73rd Amendment transferred massive development funds and functions to the Panchayati Raj Institutions, slightly shifting the direct developmental control away from the Collector in some states like Rajasthan.
Assertion (A): The District Collector’s role as a District Development Officer has evolved significantly since the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act.
Reason (R): The 73rd Amendment transferred massive development funds and functions to the Panchayati Raj Institutions, slightly shifting the direct developmental control away from the Collector in some states like Rajasthan.
Explanation
The District Collector’s role as a development officer has changed significantly since the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act. This legislation empowered Panchayati Raj Institutions by transferring many developmental funds and functions directly to local bodies like the Zila Parishad. Consequently, while the Collector remains involved, the direct control over rural development has partially shifted toward elected representatives, requiring a more collaborative approach to governance.
Q53. Find the odd one out concerning the authorities tasked with resolving land revenue disputes.
Explanation
The Board of Revenue, Sub-Divisional Officer, and Revenue Appellate Authority are all specialized entities within the revenue administration hierarchy tasked with resolving land disputes. In contrast, the Chief Judicial Magistrate belongs to the judicial branch and primarily handles criminal cases. Therefore, the Chief Judicial Magistrate is not part of the standard administrative framework used for adjudicating land revenue and agricultural property-related legal conflicts.
Q54. Consider the following statements regarding the administration of a Division:
I. The Divisional Commissioner monitors the functioning of local bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions in the division.
II. The Divisional Commissioner has no authority to review the revenue decisions made by the District Collector.
III. The office of Divisional Commissioner was reintroduced to reduce the direct administrative burden on the state secretariat.
IV. Divisional Commissioners conduct periodic tours and inspections of district offices.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The Divisional Commissioner monitors the functioning of local bodies and Panchayati Raj institutions in the division.
II. The Divisional Commissioner has no authority to review the revenue decisions made by the District Collector.
III. The office of Divisional Commissioner was reintroduced to reduce the direct administrative burden on the state secretariat.
IV. Divisional Commissioners conduct periodic tours and inspections of district offices.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
The Divisional Commissioner monitors local bodies and conducts regular inspections of district offices to ensure administrative efficiency. The office was reintroduced to reduce the direct burden on the state secretariat by providing regional oversight. Contrary to having no authority, the Divisional Commissioner actually possesses the power to review certain revenue decisions made by the Collector, acting as a crucial intermediate level of administration.
Q55. Which of the following defines the "Record of Rights" (Jamabandi)?
Explanation
The "Record of Rights," commonly known as Jamabandi, is a critical register that documents the ownership, rights, and various liabilities associated with every parcel of land. It serves as the definitive legal evidence of a person’s title to their property. Maintaining an accurate Jamabandi is essential for preventing land disputes, facilitating property transactions, and ensuring that farmers can access bank loans and government subsidies.
Q56. Which of the following is an incorrect statement regarding the Naib Tehsildar?
Explanation
A Naib Tehsildar is an important revenue official who supervises Patwaris and assists in revenue recovery and executive magistracy. However, they do not have the authority to declare state emergencies, which is a constitutional power reserved for the President of India. Their role is focused on the local administration of land records and assisting higher-level officers in maintaining order and implementing state policies.
Q57. Match List I with List II and select the correct answer:
| Revenue Term | Function/Meaning |
|---|---|
| A. Khatauni | i. Change of ownership name |
| B. Khasra | ii. Crop inspection report |
| C. Girdawari | iii. Plot or field number in village map |
| D. Mutation | iv. Register of cultivators showing land held |
Explanation
In revenue terminology, the Khatauni is a register of cultivators showing the land they hold, while the Khasra identifies specific plots on a village map. Girdawari refers to the periodic crop inspection report, and mutation denotes the official change of ownership name in the records. These tools are fundamental for the systematic management of agricultural land and the fair collection of land-related taxes.
Q58. What is the effect of an improperly maintained land record by a Patwari on a farmer?
Explanation
A Patwari who keeps land records badly can cause a farmer to be denied agricultural credit and subsidies, since banks and schemes rely on those records.
Q59. Read the following statements regarding the duties of the District Collector and select the correct answer:
Statement I: The District Administration is responsible for ensuring the smooth supply of essential commodities.
Statement II: The District Collector enforces the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
Statement I: The District Administration is responsible for ensuring the smooth supply of essential commodities.
Statement II: The District Collector enforces the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act, 1955.
Explanation
The district administration is tasked with ensuring the continuous and fair supply of essential commodities like food and fuel to the public. To achieve this, the District Collector enforces the provisions of the Essential Commodities Act of 1955. This involves monitoring market prices, preventing hoarding, and overseeing the public distribution system to protect consumers from shortages and unfair trade practices within the district.
Q60. Consider the following functions of a Divisional Commissioner:
I. Directing relief measures during widespread natural calamities in the division.
II. Acting as a channel of correspondence between districts and the state government.
III. Acting as the returning officer for municipal elections.
IV. Adjudicating service matters of non-gazetted revenue staff.
V. Granting state-level mining leases.
Which of the above function(s) is/are incorrect for a Divisional Commissioner?
I. Directing relief measures during widespread natural calamities in the division.
II. Acting as a channel of correspondence between districts and the state government.
III. Acting as the returning officer for municipal elections.
IV. Adjudicating service matters of non-gazetted revenue staff.
V. Granting state-level mining leases.
Which of the above function(s) is/are incorrect for a Divisional Commissioner?
Explanation
A Divisional Commissioner coordinates relief during calamities and manages correspondence between the districts and the state government. They also oversee administrative matters for non-gazetted revenue staff. However, they do not act as the returning officer for municipal elections, nor do they grant state-level mining leases. These specialized functions are handled by the State Election Commission and the Department of Mines and Geology respectively.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 51 | (c) The SDO can order a magisterial inquiry into incidents like police firing. |
| 52 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 53 | (d) Chief Judicial Magistrate |
| 54 | (b) I, III and IV |
| 55 | (c) A register containing details of land ownership, rights, and liabilities. |
| 56 | (a) Has the power to declare state emergencies. |
| 57 | (a) A-iv, B-iii, C-ii, D-i |
| 58 | (b) It can cause denial of agricultural credit and subsidies from banks. |
| 59 | (a) Both Statement I and Statement II are true. |
| 60 | (b) III and V |
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.