Grassroots Democracy – Part 3: Local Government in Urban Area – Very Short Answer Type Questions
CBSE Class 6 — Social Science
Theme D — Governance and Democracy • Chapter 12: Local Government in Urban Area
Class 6
Subject: Social Science
Topic: Municipalities & Municipal Corporations
CBSE Board Exam Note: 50 Very Short Answer (VSA) questions with concise NCERT-aligned answers for quick revision and concept clarity.
Chapter 12
Local Government in Urban Areas — Municipalities & Corporations
Structure & Composition
1. What is a Municipality?
A local body that governs a town and provides civic services.
2. What is a Municipal Corporation?
A large urban local body that governs a big city.
3. Who is the head of a Municipal Corporation?
The Mayor (role varies by state; sometimes ceremonial).
4. Who is the administrative head of a Municipal Corporation?
The Municipal Commissioner, an appointed official who runs departments.
5. What is a ward?
A small electoral area of a city represented by a councillor.
6. Who represents a ward?
A councillor elected by the residents of the ward.
7. What is a councillor?
An elected member of the municipal council representing a ward.
8. What does a municipal council do?
Discusses local issues, approves budgets and makes plans for the city.
9. What is a Mayor’s role?
To chair meetings and represent the city; powers differ across states.
10. What are municipal departments?
Specialised units like health, engineering, education and revenue that implement services.
Elections & Representation
11. How are councillors chosen?
By elections in their respective wards where residents vote.
12. Are seats reserved in municipal bodies?
Yes—seats are reserved for women and disadvantaged groups like SC/ST.
13. Why are reservations important?
To ensure inclusive representation and empower marginalized groups.
14. What is voter participation?
The process of citizens voting in municipal elections to choose representatives.
15. What is a municipal election?
An election held to choose councillors and sometimes the Mayor in urban local bodies.
Functions & Services
16. Name one key function of urban local governments.
Provision of clean drinking water.
17. What service helps prevent disease in cities?
Sanitation and waste management.
18. Which body maintains local roads?
Municipalities or Municipal Corporations maintain local roads.
19. How do urban bodies support health?
By running health centres, immunisation drives and awareness programs.
20. How do they help education?
By supporting primary schools and mid-day meal arrangements.
21. What is urban planning?
The process of deciding land use, roads and building rules for orderly growth.
22. Who enforces building regulations?
Municipal officials enforce building permissions and town planning rules.
23. How do municipalities manage parks?
They create and maintain parks and public spaces for recreation.
24. What role do they play in street lighting?
Providing and maintaining street lights for safety and mobility.
25. How do municipal bodies help in disaster response?
By coordinating relief, local rescue and using local knowledge for quick action.
Finance & Revenue
26. What is a major local tax for cities?
Property tax is a major source of urban local revenue.
27. Name two other revenue sources.
Fees for licences, water charges and grants from state/central government.
28. What are grants?
Money given by the state or central government for specific schemes or support.
29. Why are local funds important?
They allow municipalities to run services and maintain infrastructure locally.
30. What is a challenge related to finance?
Many cities have limited revenue and depend on government grants.
Participation & Accountability
31. Who can citizens approach for local problems?
Their ward councillor or ward committee.
32. What is a ward committee?
A local group of councillors and residents addressing ward-level issues.
33. How can citizens take part in decision-making?
By attending public hearings, meetings and contacting councillors.
34. What is RTI?
Right to Information—a tool to request information about government decisions and spending.
35. Why are audits important?
They check accounts and ensure money is spent properly.
Urban Development & Impact
36. How do good municipal services affect businesses?
They attract businesses by providing reliable infrastructure and services.
37. How do they improve health?
Through clean water, sanitation and health campaigns, reducing disease incidence.
38. What is planned urban expansion?
Developing new areas with roads, water and services in an organised manner.
39. How do municipalities support livelihoods?
By maintaining markets, providing infrastructure and linking to schemes.
40. How do they help safety in cities?
Through street lighting, drainage, and maintaining roads for safe movement.
Challenges & Solutions
41. What problem does rapid urbanisation cause?
Pressure on housing, water, sanitation and transport services.
42. Why is poor planning harmful?
It leads to congestion, unsafe buildings and lack of services.
43. How can cities increase revenue?
By improving property tax collection and charging reasonable user fees.
44. How can inclusion be improved?
By involving slum dwellers, migrants and women in planning and services.
45. What role can NGOs play?
They support projects, provide technical help and assist in community outreach.
Key Terms & Quick Revision
46. Define 'Property Tax'.
A tax on land and buildings paid by property owners to the municipality.
47. Who is a Municipal Commissioner?
An appointed official responsible for administration of the municipality.
48. What is a public hearing?
A meeting where citizens give opinions on important municipal plans or projects.
49. Give one difference between urban and rural local bodies.
Urban bodies focus on services like water and sanitation; rural Panchayats focus on agriculture and rural infrastructure.
50. Why are urban local governments important?
They deliver essential services that make city life healthy, safe and productive.
This collection of 50 very short questions and answers is NCERT-aligned and ideal for quick revision before CBSE Class 6 exams.