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The Union Public Service Commission consists of a Chairman and such number of other members as may be determined by the ______.
- Prime Minister
- President
- Parliament
- Chief Justice
Answer: President
Article 315(1): UPSC comprises Chairman + members as President determines. Currently, UPSC has 1 Chairman + up to 10 members. Members appointed by President; half should be civil servants with 10+ years experience. Ensures expertise in recruitment while maintaining institutional independence from executive.
The Model Code of Conduct for political parties and candidates is a statutory provision enforceable by courts.
- True
- False
Answer: False
MCC is not statutory; it's a set of guidelines evolved by consensus among political parties and enforced by EC under Article 324's plenary powers. Violations can lead to EC actions: censure, campaign ban, derecognition, but not criminal prosecution. Supreme Court has upheld EC's power to enforce MCC as part of 'direction and control' of elections.
Under Article 324, the superintendence, direction and control of elections to Parliament, State Legislatures, and offices of President and Vice President is vested in the ______.
- Union Home Ministry
- Election Commission
- Supreme Court
- President
Answer: Election Commission
Article 324(1): EC has plenary power over: (a) Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha elections, (b) State Legislative Assembly and Council elections, (c) Presidential and Vice-Presidential elections. Includes preparation of electoral rolls, conduct of polls, enforcement of model code, recognition of parties. Makes EC one of world's most powerful election authorities.
The Chief Election Commissioner can be removed from office only in like manner and on like grounds as a Judge of the ______.
- District Court
- High Court
- Supreme Court
- Administrative Tribunal
Answer: Supreme Court
Article 324(5): CEC can be removed only by Presidential order after Parliament passes address with special majority (majority of total membership + 2/3 present and voting) on grounds of proved misbehaviour or incapacity. Same procedure as Supreme Court Judge removal (Article 124). Other ECs can be removed only on CEC's recommendation. Ensures EC's independence from executive.
The Chief Election Commissioner and Election Commissioners are appointed by the President on the advice of the Prime Minister.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 324(2): President appoints CEC and ECs. Conventionally, appointments made based on recommendations of selection committee. 2023 Supreme Court judgment (Anoop Baranwal case) mandated selection committee: PM + Leader of Opposition + CJI. Parliament can make alternative law; as of 2024, new law under consideration. Aims to depoliticize appointments.
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.