22 multiple-choice (MCQ / objective) questions from this chapter, in every exam-style shape used in the paper. Every question comes with an explanation along with the answer, so you remember why the option is correct, not just which one it is.
1 Direct Questions
Direct Questions
- 1 markFrom what kind of seat was Geeta Rathore elected Sarpanch in 1995?
(A) A general seat(B) Unopposed(C) As a nominated member(D) A reserved seat - 1 markWhat did the Division Bench of the High Court eventually decide in the Vengaivasal case?
(A) Upheld the Collector’s order(B) Removed the Sarpanch(C) Dismissed the case(D) Reversed the single-judge bench’s decision - 1 markWhich Viceroy initiated the setting up of modern elected local bodies?
(A) Lord Curzon(B) Lord Dalhousie(C) Lord Mountbatten(D) Lord Ripon - 1 markWhat did Nehru worry about regarding local government?
(A) That extreme localism could threaten national unity(B) That local bodies would have too much power(C) The lack of education in villages(D) That local bodies would be too expensive - 1 markIn which year did the Community Development Programme begin?
(A) 1950(B) 1952(C) 1956(D) 1960 - 1 markWhat is at the top of the three-tier structure of Panchayati Raj?
(A) Gram Panchayat(B) Mandal/Taluka Panchayat(C) Zilla Panchayat(D) Gram Sabha - 1 markIf a Panchayat is dissolved earlier than its term, within how many months are fresh elections mandatory?
(A) 3 months(B) 6 months(C) 9 months(D) 12 months - 1 markThe 29 subjects transferred under the 73rd Amendment are listed in which Schedule?
(A) Ninth Schedule(B) Tenth Schedule(C) Eleventh Schedule(D) Twelfth Schedule - 1 markIn which year was the Panchayat (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) passed?
(A) 1992(B) 1993(C) 1996(D) 2000 - 1 markHow often should a State Finance Commission be appointed?
(A) Every 3 years(B) Every 5 years(C) Every 7 years(D) Every 10 years - 1 markAccording to the 2011 Census, what percentage of India’s population lives in urban areas?
(A) 21 percent(B) 31 percent(C) 41 percent(D) 51 percent - 1 markWhat resulted from Bolivia’s 1994 Popular Participation Law?
(A) Local government was weakened(B) Decentralisation of power including direct election of mayors(C) All power was given to the Central government(D) Local elections were stopped
2 Assertion-Reason
Assertion-Reason
- 1 markAssertion (A): One-third reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions applies only to general seats.
Reason (R): SC/ST seats also have a separate reservation in proportion to their population.
(A) Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A(B) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A(C) A is true, R is false(D) A is false, R is true - 1 markAssertion (A): In 1996 a separate act extended the Panchayat system to tribal-majority areas.
Reason (R): The provisions of the 73rd Amendment did not originally apply to these areas.
(A) Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A(B) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A(C) A is true, R is false(D) A is false, R is true - 1 markAssertion (A): Local bodies depend heavily on grants from the Centre and States.
Reason (R): Rural local bodies raise only 0.24 percent of total revenue but spend 4 percent.
(A) Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A(B) Both A and R are true, but R does not explain A(C) A is true, R is false(D) A is false, R is true
3 Match the Following
Match the Following
- 1 markMatch the following:
(A) State Election Commissioner (B) State Finance Commission (C) P.K. Thungon Committee (D) Community Development Programme
(i) Increased people’s participation in 1952 (ii) Conducts panchayat elections (iii) 1989 recommendation for constitutional recognition (iv) Reviews the distribution of revenue
(A) A-iv, B-ii, C-i, D-iii(B) A-i, B-iii, C-iv, D-ii(C) A-ii, B-iv, C-iii, D-i(D) A-iii, B-i, C-ii, D-iv
4 Statement-Based Questions
Statement-Based Questions
- 1 markStatement I: Bolivia is divided into 314 municipal governments.
Statement II: Bolivia holds local elections every three years.
(A) Both statements are true(B) Statement I is true, Statement II is false(C) Statement I is false, Statement II is true(D) Both statements are false
5 Chronological Ordering
Chronological Ordering
- 1 markArrange these events in the correct chronological order:
(i) Recommendation of the P.K. Thungon Committee
(ii) Elected local bodies on Lord Ripon’s initiative
(iii) Community Development Programme
(iv) 73rd and 74th Amendments come into force
(A) ii, iii, i, iv(B) i, ii, iii, iv(C) ii, i, iii, iv(D) iv, iii, ii, i
6 Odd One Out
Odd One Out
- 1 markWhich of the following is NOT a subject in the Eleventh Schedule?
(A) Agriculture(B) Drinking water(C) Defence(D) Rural housing
7 Passage-Based Questions
Passage-Based Questions
- 1 markAccording to the passage, what did Geeta Rathore do using her Panchayat’s power?
(A) Only built roads(B) Renovated water tanks, built a school, built roads, and fought atrocities against women(C) Only built a school building(D) Nothing - 1 markAccording to the passage, how many government employees were allotted land in Vengaivasal?
(A) 51(B) 61(C) 71(D) 81
8 True / False
True / False
- 1 markConsider the following statements.
(i) Women’s reservation is limited to ordinary members only, not Chairperson posts.
(ii) Women’s one-third reservation also applies within SC/ST seats.
(A) Only (i) is true(B) Both are true(C) Only (ii) is true(D) Both are false
Answer Key and Explanations
Direct Questions1. (d): Geeta Rathore was elected Sarpanch in 1995 from a reserved seat, and re-elected in 2000 from a general seat. · 2. (d): The Division Bench reversed the single-judge bench’s decision, holding that it was a gross violation of the constitutional status of Panchayats. · 3. (d): After 1882, Lord Ripon initiated elected local bodies called ‘local boards’. · 4. (a): Nehru looked upon extreme localism as a threat to the unity and integration of the nation. · 5. (b): The Community Development Programme began in 1952, promoting people’s participation in local development. · 6. (c): At the top of the three-tier structure is the Zilla Panchayat, then the Mandal/Taluka Panchayat, and at the base the Gram Panchayat. · 7. (b): If a Panchayat is dissolved early, fresh elections are mandatory within 6 months. · 8. (c): The 29 subjects transferred under the 73rd Amendment are listed in the Eleventh Schedule. · 9. (c): In 1996, PESA extended the provisions of the Panchayat system to tribal-majority areas. · 10. (b): The State government must appoint a State Finance Commission every 5 years. · 11. (b): According to the 2011 Census, about 31 percent of India’s population lives in urban areas. · 12. (b): The 1994 Popular Participation Law decentralised power to the local level in Bolivia, including the direct election of mayors.
Assertion-Reason1. (d): A is false, women’s reservation applies within SC/ST/OBC seats too, not only general seats. R is true, Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes get a separate reservation in proportion to their population at all three levels. · 2. (a): Both are true, and the exclusion of these areas from the 73rd Amendment’s original scope is exactly why a separate act became necessary in 1996, so R correctly explains A. · 3. (a): Both are true, and this large gap between earning and spending is exactly why local bodies depend on grants, so R correctly explains A.
Match the Following1. (c): The State Election Commissioner conducts panchayat elections (ii); the State Finance Commission reviews the distribution of revenue (iv); the P.K. Thungon Committee recommended constitutional recognition in 1989 (iii); the Community Development Programme increased people’s participation in 1952 (i).
Statement-Based Questions1. (b): Statement I is true. Statement II is false, Bolivia holds local elections every five years, not three.
Chronological Ordering1. (a): First Lord Ripon’s initiative (1882, ii), then the Community Development Programme (1952, iii), then the P.K. Thungon Committee (1989, i), then the 73rd-74th Amendments coming into force (1993, iv).
Odd One Out1. (c): Defence is a Union List subject, not part of the Eleventh Schedule (subjects transferred to Panchayats).
Passage-Based Questions1. (b): According to the passage, Geeta Rathore renovated water tanks, built a school building, built village roads, and fought domestic violence and atrocities against women. · 2. (c): According to the passage, 2 hectares of land each were allotted to 71 government employees.
True / False1. (c): Statement (i) is false, women’s reservation also applies to Chairperson/Sarpanch posts. Statement (ii) is true.
More for this chapter