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The Election Commission of India consists of the Chief Election Commissioner and such number of other Election Commissioners as may be determined by ______.
- President
- Parliament
- Supreme Court
- Prime Minister
Answer: President
Article 324(2): President determines number of Election Commissioners. Currently, EC has CEC + 2 ECs (multi-member body since 1989). President appoints them; CEC can be removed only like Supreme Court Judge; ECs can be removed only on CEC's recommendation. Ensures independence while allowing flexible composition.
Which statement best captures the vision of 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments?
- Create parallel governments to State governments
- Establish direct democracy replacing representative democracy
- Deepen democracy through decentralization, participation, and accountability at grassroots
- Transfer all State functions to local bodies
Answer: Deepen democracy through decentralization, participation, and accountability at grassroots
73rd/74th Amendments aim to: (a) Decentralize power/functions/funds to local levels, (b) Ensure inclusive participation through reservations, (c) Enhance accountability via Gram Sabha/social audit, (d) Promote participatory planning. Not about creating parallel structures but strengthening federalism's third tier. Realizing this vision requires continuous political will, capacity building, and citizen engagement.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj's ______ initiative aims to digitize Panchayat functions, improve transparency, and enable direct benefit transfers.
- e-GramSwaraj
- Digital India
- Smart Cities
- UMANG
Answer: e-GramSwaraj
e-GramSwaraj: Web-based platform for Panchayat planning, accounting, monitoring. Integrates with PFMS for direct fund transfers, GIS for asset mapping, and public dashboards for transparency. Part of Digital India initiative to strengthen grassroots governance through technology. Enhances efficiency, accountability, and citizen access to services.
Studies show that reservation for women in Panchayats has led to increased investment in public goods like water, roads, and education, reflecting women's policy priorities.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Research (e.g., Chattopadhyay & Duflo, 2004) indicates women leaders in Panchayats prioritize public goods aligned with women's needs: drinking water, sanitation, education, health. Reservation has also increased women's political participation beyond quotas, challenged gender stereotypes, and empowered women at grassroots. Demonstrates transformative potential of inclusive decentralization.
Which constitutional provision mandates training and capacity building for elected representatives and functionaries of Panchayats and Municipalities?
- Article 243G
- Article 243ZD
- Article 243Y
- No explicit provision; left to States
Answer: No explicit provision; left to States
Constitution does not explicitly mandate capacity building; Article 243G/W empowers State Legislatures to endow Panchayats/Municipalities with powers/functions. Training is typically provided by State Institutes of Rural Development (SIRDs), National Institute of Rural Development (NIRD), and other agencies. Capacity gaps remain a challenge for effective decentralization.
The concept of social audit of Panchayat/Municipality works by Gram Sabha/Wards Committee is promoted under the ______ Act, 2005.
- Right to Information
- Mahatma Gandhi NREGA
- National Rural Health Mission
- Swachh Bharat
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi NREGA
MGNREGA, 2005: Mandates social audit of works by Gram Sabha to ensure transparency, accountability, and citizen participation. Social audit involves public verification of records, expenditure, beneficiary selection. Has been extended to other schemes. Strengthens grassroots democracy by empowering citizens to monitor local governance.
The 73rd and 74th Amendments have successfully ensured regular elections, reservation implementation, and financial devolution to local bodies across all States.
- True
- False
Answer: False
While 73rd/74th Amendments institutionalized local self-government, implementation gaps persist: (a) Irregular elections in some States, (b) Inadequate devolution of functions/funds/functionaries (3 Fs), (c) Limited capacity building, (d) Political interference in State Election Commissions. Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2007) highlighted need for genuine empowerment. Progress is uneven but significant.
The Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 extends Panchayati Raj to Fifth Schedule areas with special provisions to protect ______ rights and customs.
- women
- tribal
- minority
- agricultural
Answer: tribal
PESA Act, 1996: Extends Part IX to Fifth Schedule areas (tribal areas in 10 States) with modifications: (a) Gram Sabha as primary unit, (b) Consultation with Gram Sabha for land acquisition, mining leases, etc., (c) Protection of tribal customs, community resources, traditional management. Empowers tribal self-governance while integrating with constitutional framework.
Part IX (Panchayats) does not apply to States with population below 20 lakhs, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, and certain scheduled areas, but Part IXA (Municipalities) applies to Union Territories with ______.
- no exceptions
- President's notification
- Parliamentary law
- State Legislature approval
Answer: President's notification
Article 243L: Part IX (Panchayats) has exceptions: States <20 lakhs population, Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram, hill areas of Manipur, scheduled areas (Fifth Schedule), Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council. Article 243M: Part IXA (Municipalities) applies to UTs as President may specify by notification. Allows tailored decentralization for diverse regions.
Accounts of Panchayats and Municipalities are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India directly.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 243J: State Legislature may make provisions for maintenance/audit of Panchayat/Municipality accounts. CAG audits only if State law so provides. Most States have local fund audit departments. CAG's role is limited to grants/loans from Consolidated Fund. Ensures accountability while respecting State autonomy over local bodies.
Disqualification for membership of Panchayats/Municipalities is determined by State Legislature, subject to provisions of which Article?
- Article 243F
- Article 243G
- Article 243H
- Article 243I
Answer: Article 243F
Article 243F: Disqualifications for Panchayat/Municipality membership: (a) As per State law, (b) Subject to Constitution: unsound mind (court declaration), undischarged insolvent, holding office of profit (as State law determines). State Election Commission decides disqualification questions. Balances State flexibility with constitutional safeguards.
Under Article 243ZE, Metropolitan Planning Committee must have at least ______ of members elected by elected members of Municipalities and Panchayats in metropolitan area.
- one-half
- two-thirds
- three-fourths
- four-fifths
Answer: two-thirds
Article 243ZE: Metropolitan Planning Committee (MPC) for areas with population >10 lakhs: (a) At least 2/3 members elected by elected members of Municipalities/Panchayats in proportion to population, (b) Chairperson as State law determines. Prepares draft development plan for metropolitan area, ensuring coordinated urban-rural planning.
Article 243ZD mandates constitution of District Planning Committee to consolidate plans from Panchayats and Municipalities and prepare draft development plan for district.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 243ZD: District Planning Committee (DPC) in every district: (a) 4/5 members elected by Panchayat/Municipality members from amongst themselves, (b) Chairperson as State law determines. Consolidates rural and urban plans, prepares draft district development plan. Promotes integrated spatial and sectoral planning at district level.
The Twelfth Schedule of the Constitution, added by 74th Amendment, contains how many functional items for Municipalities?
- 12
- 18
- 29
- 35
Answer: 18
Twelfth Schedule (Article 243W): 18 functional items for Municipalities including urban planning, regulation of land use, water supply, public health, slum improvement, urban poverty alleviation, parks, gardens, cemeteries, fire services, vital statistics, etc. States devolve powers/functions to Municipalities by law, enabling effective urban service delivery.
Under Article 243S, Wards Committees must be constituted in Municipalities with population of ______ lakhs or more.
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 10
Answer: 3
Article 243S: Wards Committees (comprising elected members from wards) mandatory for Municipalities with population of 3 lakhs or more. Facilitates micro-level planning, citizen participation, and accountability. State Legislatures may constitute Wards Committees for smaller Municipalities. Strengthens participatory urban governance.
Reservation of seats for women in Municipalities is mandatory at not less than one-third, including within SC/ST reservations, similar to Panchayats.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 243T: Reservation in Municipalities mirrors Panchayats: (a) SCs/STs in proportion to population, (b) Not less than 1/3 for women (including within SC/ST quotas), (c) States may reserve for OBCs. Chairperson positions also reserved. Has significantly increased women's representation in urban local governance.
Which of the following is NOT a type of Municipality under Article 243Q?
- Nagar Panchayat
- Municipal Council
- Municipal Corporation
- Cantonment Board
Answer: Cantonment Board
Article 243Q: Three types of Municipalities based on population, density, revenue: (a) Nagar Panchayat (transitional area), (b) Municipal Council (smaller urban area), (c) Municipal Corporation (larger urban area). Cantonment Boards are under Ministry of Defence, governed by Cantonments Act, 2006, not Part IXA.
Part IXA of the Constitution, dealing with Municipalities, was added by the ______ Amendment Act, 1992.
- 72nd
- 73rd
- 74th
- 75th
Answer: 74th
74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 added Part IXA (Articles 243P-243ZG) giving constitutional status to Urban Local Bodies (Municipalities). Came into force on 01.06.1993. Complements 73rd Amendment for rural areas. Together, they institutionalize democratic decentralization at grassroots level across India.
Gram Sabha, comprising all registered voters in a village, is the foundation of Panchayati Raj system and exercises powers as determined by State Legislature.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 243A: Gram Sabha (village assembly of registered voters) is basic unit of direct democracy. Powers/functions determined by State Legislature: approving plans, budgets, selecting beneficiaries, social audit, etc. Empowers citizens to participate directly in local governance, ensuring accountability of elected representatives.
The Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, added by 73rd Amendment, contains how many functional items for Panchayats?
- 18
- 29
- 35
- 42
Answer: 29
Eleventh Schedule (Article 243G): 29 functional items for Panchayats including agriculture, land improvement, minor irrigation, rural housing, drinking water, roads, rural electrification, poverty alleviation, education, health, women and child development, etc. States may devolve powers/functions to Panchayats by law. Enables activity mapping for effective decentralization.