Panchayat Raj and decentralised governance structures. - Question Bank

1. What is the ultimate goal of strengthening Panchayati Raj Institutions and decentralised governance structures?
A) To increase the power of the central government
B) To create a more efficient bureaucracy
C) To achieve grass-roots democracy and inclusive development
D) To reduce the number of administrative divisions
2. The PESA Act, 1996, empowers Gram Sabhas to:
A) Declare war on neighbouring states
B) Regulate the sale and consumption of liquor, manage village markets, and exercise control over minor forest produce
C) Sign international treaties
D) Print currency
3. Which of the following is a key feature of the 'Gram Sabha' as defined by the 73rd Amendment?
A) It is a body of elected representatives.
B) It is a general body comprising all adult members registered as voters in the village.
C) Its primary function is to collect taxes.
D) It is the executive authority of the village.
4. The 73rd Amendment Act ensures that Panchayats have the necessary powers and authority to function as institutions of self-government. This is an example of:
A) Fiscal federalism
B) Administrative decentralization
C) Political decentralization
D) All of the above
5. What is the primary function of the 'Panchayat Samiti' (intermediate level)?
A) To oversee the functioning of Zila Parishad
B) To act as a link between Gram Panchayats and Zila Parishad, and to oversee development activities
C) To directly implement national policies
D) To collect land revenue
6. The concept of decentralised governance is crucial for effective:
A) National security
B) Foreign policy
C) Rural development and poverty alleviation
D) International trade agreements
7. Which institution is responsible for the overall supervision and guidance of Panchayati Raj Institutions at the district level?
A) Gram Sabha
B) Panchayat Samiti
C) Zila Parishad
D) Block Development Office
8. The 73rd Amendment Act aims to ensure democratic decentralization by:
A) Strengthening the role of District Magistrates
B) Empowering elected local bodies with powers and responsibilities
C) Increasing the number of nominated members in Panchayats
D) Reducing the frequency of elections
9. What is the role of the 'Gram Sevak' or 'Panchayat Secretary' in a Gram Panchayat?
A) To preside over Gram Sabha meetings
B) To be the chief executive officer and record keeper
C) To audit the accounts of the Panchayat
D) To represent the Panchayat in the Zila Parishad
10. The Panchayati Raj system in India is an embodiment of which constitutional principle?
A) Uniform Civil Code
B) Directive Principles of State Policy (specifically Article 40)
C) Fundamental Rights
D) Judicial Supremacy
11. Which of the following is a key principle of decentralised governance?
A) Concentration of power at the top
B) Participation of local communities in decision-making
C) Top-down implementation of policies
D) Limited accountability of local officials
12. The term 'Nyaya Panchayat' refers to:
A) A body for judicial review of Panchayat decisions
B) A body for settling minor civil and criminal disputes at the village level
C) A committee for planning development projects
D) A council for dispute resolution between Panchayats
13. What is the primary source of funds for the development activities undertaken by Panchayats, besides government grants?
A) International loans
B) Local taxation and user charges
C) Corporate social responsibility funds
D) Private investments
14. The 73rd Amendment Act applies to which of the following?
A) All states and Union Territories
B) All states except Jammu and Kashmir and Nagaland
C) All states except those specifically exempted by Parliament
D) All states except those with a population below 20 lakhs
15. Which article mandates the establishment of a State Election Commission to conduct elections to Panchayats and Municipalities?
A) Article 243K
B) Article 243O
C) Article 243ZD
D) Article 243
16. The 'Gram Swaraj' concept, popularized by Mahatma Gandhi, is closely related to the philosophy of:
A) Centralized planning
B) Panchayati Raj and village self-sufficiency
C) Industrialization
D) Bureaucratic control
17. What is the role of the District Planning Committee (DPC) as envisaged by the 74th Amendment Act (though related to urban governance, it has implications for rural-urban linkages)?
A) To prepare development plans for the district
B) To oversee the functioning of Gram Sabhas
C) To collect taxes for the state government
D) To manage international aid for rural projects
18. The State Finance Commission is constituted to review the financial position of Panchayats and Municipalities and recommend measures for improving it. What is its recommended frequency of constitution?
A) Every year
B) Every two years
C) Every five years
D) Once during the term of the State Government
19. Who is responsible for auditing the accounts of Panchayats?
A) The State Finance Commission
B) The Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG)
C) The District Magistrate
D) The State Government's Directorate of Local Fund Audit
20. The concept of 'devolution of powers' in Panchayati Raj refers to:
A) Transfer of powers from local bodies to the center
B) Transfer of powers from the state to the local bodies
C) Transfer of powers among different levels of Panchayats
D) Transfer of powers to nominated members
21. Which of the following is a challenge faced by Panchayati Raj Institutions in India?
A) Over-empowerment and autonomy
B) Lack of funds and functionaries
C) Excessive decentralization
D) Complete independence from state control
22. Decentralised governance aims to bring administration closer to the:
A) State capital
B) National capital
C) People
D) International borders
23. Under the PESA Act, 1996, which body has the authority to manage minor forest produce?
A) The State Forest Department
B) The Gram Sabha
C) The Zila Parishad
D) The District Forest Officer
24. What is the significance of the PESA Act (Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996)?
A) It extends the provisions of the 73rd Amendment to all states.
B) It extends the provisions of the 73rd Amendment to Scheduled Areas.
C) It establishes Panchayats in urban areas.
D) It creates a separate ministry for Panchayati Raj.
25. The funds for Panchayats are primarily derived from:
A) Foreign aid only
B) Grants from the Central and State Governments and local taxes
C) Loans from nationalized banks
D) Donations from private corporations
26. Which of the following is a function of the Gram Panchayat?
A) Supervising the work of the State Government
B) Providing primary education and healthcare facilities
C) Conducting foreign policy
D) Regulating inter-state trade
27. What is the role of the Gram Sabha?
A) To implement government schemes
B) To approve the budget and annual accounts of the Gram Panchayat
C) To elect the Sarpanch
D) To collect taxes
28. The G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985) emphasized the role of Panchayati Raj institutions in rural development and recommended that they should be associated with the planning process. What did it suggest regarding their structure?
A) Abolition of all tiers
B) Strengthening of Zila Parishad as the main executive body
C) A single-tier system
D) Direct elections for all posts
29. The L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986) recommended constitutional status for Panchayati Raj institutions. What else did it suggest?
A) Abolition of the Gram Sabha
B) Inclusion of 'Nyaya Panchayats'
C) Direct election of Sarpanch
D) Abolition of the district level
30. The Ashok Mehta Committee (1977) recommended a two-tier system of Panchayati Raj. What were the recommended tiers?
A) Gram Sabha and Zila Parishad
B) Mandal Panchayat and Zila Parishad
C) Gram Panchayat and Panchayat Samiti
D) Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad
31. Which committee is often called the 'father of the Panchayati Raj' in India for its recommendations on decentralization?
A) Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
B) Ashok Mehta Committee
C) L.M. Singhvi Committee
D) G.V.K. Rao Committee
32. The 73rd Amendment Act also provides for the reservation of seats for women in Panchayats. What is the minimum percentage of reservation for women?
A) 10%
B) 20%
C) 25%
D) 33.33% (one-third)
33. Reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Panchayats is mandated by which part of the Constitution?
A) Part IV (Directive Principles of State Policy)
B) Part IX (The Panchayats)
C) Part XIV (Services under the Union and the States)
D) Part XVI (Special Provisions relating to certain Classes)
34. The Sarpanch is the head of which tier of the Panchayati Raj system?
A) Panchayat Samiti
B) Zila Parishad
C) Gram Panchayat
D) Block Panchayat
35. The 'intermediate' level of Panchayati Raj is known by different names in different states. Which of the following is a common name for this tier?
A) Taluka Panchayat
B) Mandal Parishad
C) Panchayat Samiti
D) All of the above
36. Which of the following is NOT a tier in the three-tier Panchayati Raj system?
A) Gram Panchayat
B) Panchayat Samiti
C) Zila Parishad
D) Nagar Panchayat
37. What is the main objective of the Panchayati Raj system?
A) Centralized administration
B) Decentralization of power and local self-governance
C) Strengthening the role of the bureaucracy
D) Increasing the powers of the Governor
38. The State Election Commission is responsible for conducting elections to which level of Panchayati Raj Institutions?
A) Only Gram Panchayats
B) Gram Panchayats and Intermediate Panchayats
C) All levels of Panchayati Raj Institutions
D) Only Zila Parishads
39. Which body is responsible for preparing the draft of the annual budget of a Gram Panchayat?
A) The Gram Sabha
B) The Sarpanch
C) The Gram Panchayat
D) The District Collector
40. If a Panchayat is dissolved prematurely, elections must be held within what period?
A) 3 months
B) 6 months
C) 1 year
D) 2 years
41. What is the term of office for a Panchayat, as stipulated by the 73rd Amendment Act?
A) 3 years
B) 4 years
C) 5 years
D) 6 years
42. The 73rd Amendment Act added a new Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution, which contains a list of subjects that Panchayats can deal with. How many such subjects are listed?
A) 15
B) 20
C) 29
D) 35
43. Who presides over the Gram Sabha meetings?
A) The Sarpanch
B) The Upsarpanch
C) The Block Development Officer (BDO)
D) The Gram Sevak
44. How are the members of the Panchayats at the village level elected, according to the 73rd Amendment Act?
A) Direct election by the people of the village
B) Indirect election by the members of the Gram Sabha
C) Nomination by the State Government
D) Election by the Sarpanch
45. The 73rd Amendment Act provides for the creation of Panchayats at which level(s)?
A) Village level only
B) Village and district levels
C) Village, intermediate, and district levels
D) Village, block, district, and state levels
46. Which article of the Constitution mandates the State to organize village Panchayats and endow them with powers and authority to function as units of self-government?
A) Article 40
B) Article 41
C) Article 42
D) Article 43
47. What is the minimum number of members required for a Gram Panchayat to be functional, as per the 73rd Amendment Act?
A) 5
B) 7
C) 10
D) There is no specific minimum number prescribed by the Act.
48. Part IX of the Indian Constitution, added by the 73rd Amendment Act, deals with which subject?
A) Municipalities
B) Co-operative Societies
C) The Panchayats
D) Tribal Areas
49. Which constitutional amendment act is primarily associated with the strengthening of Panchayati Raj Institutions in India?
A) 42nd Amendment Act, 1976
B) 44th Amendment Act, 1978
C) 73rd Amendment Act, 1992
D) 86th Amendment Act, 2002
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