Q1. Which of the following princely states in Rajasthan was the first to enact a Gram Panchayat Act in the pre-independence era?
Local Self Government in Rajasthan: RAS Prelims MCQs
78 RAS Prelims MCQs on local self-government in Rajasthan cover the history and structure of Panchayati Raj and the municipal system. The early Panchayat laws of the princely states, the three tiers, the Zila Pramukh, the State Finance Commission, the Rajasthan Municipalities Act 2009 and the 73rd Amendment are asked as facts and statements.
Practice questions based on the RPSC RAS Prelims syllabus. They follow the exam pattern but are not past-paper questions.
Showing 1–10 of 78 questions
Q2. Given below are two statements, one labelled as
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): Rajasthan is recognised as the pioneer state in India to implement the Panchayati Raj system.
Reason (R): Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated the Panchayati Raj system in Rajasthan on 2 October 1959. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?
Assertion (A) and the other as Reason (R):
Assertion (A): Rajasthan is recognised as the pioneer state in India to implement the Panchayati Raj system.
Reason (R): Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurated the Panchayati Raj system in Rajasthan on 2 October 1959. In the context of the above two statements, which one of the following is correct?
Explanation
Rajasthan became the first Indian state to adopt the Panchayati Raj system. Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru officially inaugurated this democratic framework in Nagaur on 2 October 1959. This historic event directly followed the Balwantrai Mehta Committee’s recommendations. The inauguration provided the necessary political impetus for establishing a three-tier structure to ensure effective rural governance throughout the entire state.
Q3. The Balwantrai Mehta Committee was originally appointed in 1957 by the Government of India for which primary purpose?
Explanation
The Government of India established the Balwantrai Mehta Committee in 1957. Its primary mandate was to investigate the effectiveness of the Community Development Programme and the National Extension Service. The committee observed that these initiatives lacked popular participation. Consequently, it recommended the creation of a three-tier democratic decentralization system to ensure sustainable rural development and governance.
Q4. Match List I (Article of the Constitution) with
List II (Subject regarding Panchayati Raj):
List I: (Article of the Constitution)
A. Article 243A
B. Article 243C
C. Article 243D
D. Article 243K
List II: (Subject regarding Panchayati Raj)
i. Reservation of seats
ii. State Election Commission
iii. Gram Sabha
iv. Composition of Panchayats
Choose the correct option:
List II (Subject regarding Panchayati Raj):
List I: (Article of the Constitution)
A. Article 243A
B. Article 243C
C. Article 243D
D. Article 243K
List II: (Subject regarding Panchayati Raj)
i. Reservation of seats
ii. State Election Commission
iii. Gram Sabha
iv. Composition of Panchayats
Choose the correct option:
Explanation
Article 243 of the Constitution outlines the framework for local governance. Specifically, Article 243A establishes the Gram Sabha as the fundamental unit. Article 243C details the composition of Panchayats across different levels. Article 243D mandates the reservation of seats for various groups. Finally, Article 243K empowers the State Election Commission to conduct and oversee all local elections.
Q5. Consider the following statements regarding the three-tier structure of Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan:
Statement I: The middle tier is known as the Panchayat Samiti, which operates at the block level.
Statement II: A Zila Parishad is constituted at the district level for every district in the state.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Statement I: The middle tier is known as the Panchayat Samiti, which operates at the block level.
Statement II: A Zila Parishad is constituted at the district level for every district in the state.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
Rajasthan follows a standardized three-tier Panchayati Raj structure to manage rural administration effectively. The Panchayat Samiti functions as the essential middle tier operating at the development block level. Simultaneously, a Zila Parishad is established as the district-level body for every district. Both institutions work together to coordinate development activities and ensure local democratic participation and planning.
Q6. A significant challenge in local government administration in Rajasthan is the reluctance of local bodies to levy and collect local taxes. What is the most direct effect of this issue?
Explanation
Financial autonomy is a significant challenge for local bodies in Rajasthan. Many institutions hesitate to exercise their powers to levy local taxes and fees. This reluctance results in a heavy over-reliance on grants from state and central governments. Consequently, the ability of these bodies to plan and execute independent development projects according to local needs is often severely compromised.
Q7. Consider the following statements regarding the historical background of Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan:
I. The Rajasthan Panchayat Act was enacted in 1953, prior to the Balwantrai Mehta Committee report.
II. The first elections under the Rajasthan Panchayat Act of 1953 were held in 1954.
III. The Rajasthan Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads Act was passed in 1959.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
I. The Rajasthan Panchayat Act was enacted in 1953, prior to the Balwantrai Mehta Committee report.
II. The first elections under the Rajasthan Panchayat Act of 1953 were held in 1954.
III. The Rajasthan Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads Act was passed in 1959.
Which of the above statement(s) is/are correct?
Explanation
Rajasthan has a long history of institutionalizing rural governance. The state enacted the Rajasthan Panchayat Act in 1953 and conducted its first elections in 1954. Following the Balwantrai Mehta Committee’s report, the Rajasthan Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads Act was passed in 1959. These legislative steps established the comprehensive three-tier system that continues to operate throughout the state today.
Q8. Identify the odd one out among the following states in the context of being early adopters of the Panchayati Raj system closely following the Balwantrai Mehta Committee recommendations:
Explanation
Following the 1957 Balwantrai Mehta Committee recommendations, several states moved quickly to establish Panchayati Raj. Rajasthan was the first, followed by Andhra Pradesh and Maharashtra. However, Nagaland is an exception because it is exempted from the standard Panchayati Raj provisions under the Constitution. Instead, it maintains traditional tribal councils to manage local governance and handle community-level disputes effectively.
Q9. Which of the following represents the correct sequential dates of significant milestones in the establishment of Panchayati Raj in Rajasthan?
Explanation
The establishment of Panchayati Raj followed a specific legislative and experimental timeline. The process began with the Balwantrai Mehta Report in 1957. Rajasthan then passed the Panchayat Samitis Act in 1959 to create the legal framework. Finally, the system was formally inaugurated in Nagaur on 2 October 1959, marking the practical implementation of these historic and democratic reforms.
Q10. Match List I (Key terms in Rajasthan Panchayati Raj) with List II (Associated Tier/Body):
Choose the correct option:
| Key terms in Rajasthan Panchayati Raj | Associated Tier/Body |
|---|---|
| A. Sarpanch | i. Zila Parishad |
| B. Pradhan | ii. Panchayat Samiti |
| C. Pramukh | iii. Gram Panchayat |
| D. Ward Sabha | iv. Ward level of a Gram Panchayat |
Explanation
Rajasthan’s Panchayati Raj system uses specific titles for its leaders at different levels. The Sarpanch heads the Gram Panchayat at the village level. The Pradhan is the elected leader of the Panchayat Samiti at the block level. The Zila Pramukh leads the Zila Parishad at the district level. Additionally, Ward Sabhas operate at the smallest unit of local governance.Answer key for these questions
| Q | Correct answer |
|---|---|
| 1 | (b) Bikaner State in 1928 |
| 2 | (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A. |
| 3 | (c) To examine the Community Development Programme and National Extension Service. |
| 4 | (a) A-iii, B-iv, C-i, D-ii |
| 5 | (c) Both Statement I and Statement II |
| 6 | (d) Over-reliance on state and central grants, leading to compromised financial autonomy. |
| 7 | (d) I, II and III |
| 8 | (b) Nagaland |
| 9 | (a) Submission of Balwantrai Mehta Report (1957) Enactment of Rajasthan Panchayat Samitis Act (1959) Nagaur Experiment (Oct 1959) |
| 10 | (a) A-iii, B-ii, C-i, D-iv |
Key facts from Local Self Government in Rajasthan
- Bikaner State was the first princely state in Rajasthan to enact a Gram Panchayat Act, in 1928.
- The Panchayat Samiti is the intermediate tier of the three-tier Panchayati Raj structure in Rajasthan.
- A Zila Pramukh resigns by a written resignation to the Divisional Commissioner.
- The Governor constitutes the State Finance Commission for a term of five years.
- The Rajasthan Municipalities Act, 2009 consolidated and amended the Rajasthan Municipalities Act, 1959.
- The 73rd Amendment added Part IX to the Constitution; the elected head of a Municipal Corporation is the Mayor; a village of 2,500 people has a Sarpanch.
Frequently asked questions
How many RAS Prelims practice MCQs are there on Local Self Government in Rajasthan?
This page has 78 practice MCQs on Local Self Government in Rajasthan (Rajasthan Polity and Administration). Each has the correct answer, and most have an explanation.
Which princely state first enacted a Gram Panchayat law in Rajasthan?
Bikaner State, in 1928. The Bikaner Gram Panchayat Act was an early step in village self-government, long before the Panchayati Raj system began in Rajasthan with its launch at Nagaur in 1959.
Which Part did the 73rd Amendment add to the Constitution?
Part IX, which deals with the Panchayats, from Article 243 to Article 243O. It also added the Eleventh Schedule, and Article 243K provides for the State Election Commission.
How long is the term of the State Finance Commission?
Five years. The Governor constitutes the State Finance Commission to review the financial position of the Panchayats and municipalities and to recommend how revenues are shared and grants are given.