48 practice questions on Local Government from the Polity & Governance section of the UPSC Prelims syllabus.
48 come with a written explanation and 11 are actual previous year questions.
Try the sample set below - the answer stays hidden until you ask for it.
16 Easy26 Medium6 Hard11 from past papers
Sample questions
Q1
Previous year questionmedium
The Government enacted the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act in 1996. Which one of the following is not identified as its objective?
ATo provide self-governance
BTo recognize traditional rights
CTo create autonomous regions in tribal areas
DTo free tribal people from exploitation
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C - To create autonomous regions in tribal areas
PESA, 1996 extends Panchayati Raj to Fifth Schedule areas to enable tribal self-governance, recognise customary traditions and rights, and protect tribals from exploitation, so options (a), (b) and (d) are genuine objectives. It does not aim to create autonomous regions; autonomous councils relate to Sixth Schedule areas, not PESA. Therefore the objective NOT identified is in option (c).
Q2
Previous year questionmedium
Consider the following statements:
1. The minimum age prescribed for any person to be a member of Panchayat is 25 years.
2. A Panchayat reconstituted after premature dissolution continues only for the remainder period.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A1 only
B2 only
CBoth 1 and 2
DNeither 1 nor 2
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B - 2 only
Article 243F read with Article 173 makes a person of 21 years eligible to be a Panchayat member, since the 25-year threshold applies only to legislature membership, so statement 1 is incorrect. Statement 2 is correct: under Article 243E, a Panchayat elected after premature dissolution serves only the remainder of the original five-year term, unless that remainder is less than six months, in which case no fresh election is needed. The combination of a wrong statement 1 and a correct statement 2 makes '2 only' the answer.
Q3
Previous year questionmedium
Under the Scheduled Tribes and Other Traditional Forest Dwellers (Recognition of Forest Rights) Act, 2006, who shall be the authority to initiate the process for determining the nature and extent of individual or community forest rights or both?
AState Forest Department
BDistrict Collector/Deputy Commissioner
CTahsildar/Block Development Officer/Mandal Revenue Officer
DGram Sabha
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D - Gram Sabha
Under the Forest Rights Act, 2006, the Gram Sabha is the authority that initiates the process of determining the nature and extent of individual and community forest rights by receiving and consolidating claims, so option (d) is correct. The State Forest Department, District Collector and Tahsildar/BDO play later verification or approval roles but do not initiate the process, making options (a), (b) and (c) wrong.
Q4
Previous year questionmedium
How do District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAs) help in the reduction of rural poverty in India?
1. DRDAs act as Panchayati Raj Institutions in certain specified backward regions of the country.
2. DRDAs undertake area-specific scientific study of the causes of poverty and malnutrition and prepare detailed remedial measures.
3. DRDAs secure inter-sectoral and inter-departmental coordination and cooperation for effective implementation of anti-poverty programmes.
4. DRDAs watch over and ensure effective utilization of the funds intended for anti-poverty programmes.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A1, 2 and 3 only
B3 and 4 only
C4 only
D1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B - 3 and 4 only
DRDAs are specialised agencies at the district level meant to coordinate and oversee anti-poverty programmes. They secure inter-sectoral and inter-departmental coordination for effective implementation (statement 3) and monitor that funds meant for anti-poverty schemes are used effectively (statement 4), both correct. Statement 1 is wrong because DRDAs are not Panchayati Raj Institutions; they are administrative bodies that work alongside the panchayats. Statement 2 is wrong because conducting scientific research into the causes of poverty and malnutrition is not the DRDA's mandate; its role is implementation and oversight, not academic study. Hence only 3 and 4 are correct.
Q5
Previous year questioneasy
Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in
AFederalism
BDemocratic decentralisation
CAdministrative delegation
DDirect democracy
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: B - Democratic decentralisation
Local self-government is best understood as democratic decentralisation, where power and decision-making are devolved to elected local bodies like panchayats and municipalities. It is not federalism, which concerns Centre-State division of power, nor mere administrative delegation. It is also not direct democracy, since representatives are elected. Hence democratic decentralisation is correct.
Q6
Previous year questionmedium
In the areas covered under the Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, what is the role/power of Gram Sabha?
1. Gram Sabha has the power to prevent alienation of land in the Scheduled Areas.
2. Gram Sabha has the ownership of minor forest produce.
3. Recommendation of Gram Sabha is required for granting prospecting licence or mining lease for any mineral in the Scheduled Areas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
A1 only
B1 and 2 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D - 1, 2 and 3
All three statements are correct, and the official UPSC key gives (d). Section 4(m)(iii) of the PESA Act, 1996 empowers the Gram Sabha or Panchayats at the appropriate level to prevent alienation of land in Scheduled Areas and to restore unlawfully alienated tribal land. Section 4(m)(ii) endows them with ownership of minor forest produce. Sections 4(k) and 4(l) make the recommendation of the Gram Sabha or Panchayat at the appropriate level mandatory before granting prospecting licences or mining leases for minor minerals in Scheduled Areas. A few coaching keys disputed statement 3 because the Act says 'Gram Sabha or Panchayats at the appropriate level' rather than Gram Sabha alone, but the official answer treats all three as correct.
Q7
Previous year questionmedium
The fundamental object of Panchayati Raj system is to ensure which among the following?
1. People's participation in development
2. Political accountability
3. Democratic decentralization
4. Financial mobilization
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
A1, 2 and 3 only
B2 and 4 only
C1 and 3 only
D1, 2, 3 and 4
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: C - 1 and 3 only
The fundamental objects of Panchayati Raj are people's participation in development (1) and democratic decentralisation (3), the core aims of the 73rd Amendment's grassroots self-government. Political accountability (2) and financial mobilisation (4) may be desirable outcomes but are not the fundamental objectives, so options including them are wrong. The answer is 1 and 3 only.
Q8
Previous year questionhard
The Constitution (Seventy Third Amendment) Act, 1992, which aims at promoting the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the country, provides for which of the following?
1. Constitution of District Planning Committees.
2. State Election Commissions to conduct all panchayat elections.
3. Establishment of State Finance Commissions.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below:
A1 only
B1 and 2 only
C2 and 3 only
D1, 2 and 3
Show answer and explanation
Correct answer: D - 1, 2 and 3
UPSC's official answer key for the 2011 prelims, released under RTI, marks (d) 1, 2 and 3 as correct, and no question was dropped that year. The 73rd Amendment clearly provided for State Election Commissions to conduct panchayat elections (statement 2) and State Finance Commissions to review panchayat finances (statement 3). Statement 1 on District Planning Committees is, as per the constitutional text, an Article 243ZD provision inserted by the 74th Amendment, so most scholars and coaching keys held the answer to be 2 and 3 only. The official key nevertheless awarded 1, 2 and 3, and that key is followed here for scoring fidelity.
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