Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers on the “Evolution of Panchayati Raj System in India” for Civil Services Examination preparation

1. The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was appointed in which year to review the working of the Community Development Programme and National Extension Service?

• a) 1957
• b) 1962
• c) 1955
• d) 1960
  Answer: a) 1957

2. Which of the following was the first state to establish Panchayati Raj in India?

• a) Rajasthan
• b) Bihar
• c) Gujarat
• d) Uttar Pradesh
  Answer: a) Rajasthan

3. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act was passed in which year?

• a) 1991
• b) 1992
• c) 1993
• d) 1995
  Answer: b) 1992

4. How many tiers of Panchayati Raj were recommended by the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee?

• a) 1
• b) 2
• c) 3
• d) 4
  Answer: c) 3

5. Which Article of the Constitution provides for the establishment of Panchayats?

• a) Article 243
• b) Article 244
• c) Article 340
• d) Article 325
  Answer: a) Article 243

6. Who is the apex body of the Panchayati Raj system in India?

• a) Gram Sabha
• b) Zila Parishad
• c) Panchayat Samiti
• d) Sarpanch
  Answer: b) Zila Parishad

7. What is the tenure of Panchayats as per the 73rd Amendment?

• a) 4 years
• b) 3 years
• c) 5 years
• d) 6 years
  Answer: c) 5 years

8. Which constitutional amendment gave constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj system in India?

• a) 61st Amendment
• b) 42nd Amendment
• c) 73rd Amendment
• d) 44th Amendment
  Answer: c) 73rd Amendment

9. The Gram Sabha consists of which group of people?

• a) All adults in the village
• b) Elected members of Panchayats
• c) Women and children of the village
• d) Panchayat members and officers
  Answer: a) All adults in the village

10. Which committee recommended the establishment of a two-tier Panchayati Raj system?

• a) GVK Rao Committee
• b) Ashok Mehta Committee
• c) Sarkaria Commission
• d) Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
  Answer: b) Ashok Mehta Committee

11. Which level of Panchayati Raj functions at the block level?

• a) Gram Panchayat
• b) Panchayat Samiti
• c) Zila Parishad
• d) Gram Sabha
  Answer: b) Panchayat Samiti

12. Which constitutional schedule deals with the powers and functions of Panchayats?

• a) 9th Schedule
• b) 10th Schedule
• c) 11th Schedule
• d) 12th Schedule
  Answer: c) 11th Schedule

13. The minimum age for contesting elections to Panchayats is:

• a) 18 years
• b) 21 years
• c) 25 years
• d) 30 years
  Answer: b) 21 years

14. Which state does not have a three-tier Panchayati Raj system?

• a) Rajasthan
• b) Jammu and Kashmir
• c) Bihar
• d) Uttar Pradesh
  Answer: b) Jammu and Kashmir

15. What is the basic unit of the Panchayati Raj structure?

• a) Zila Parishad
• b) Gram Panchayat
• c) Panchayat Samiti
• d) Nagar Palika
  Answer: b) Gram Panchayat

16. The concept of democratic decentralization in India was first proposed by:

• a) Jawaharlal Nehru
• b) Mahatma Gandhi
• c) Balwant Rai Mehta
• d) B.R. Ambedkar
  Answer: b) Mahatma Gandhi

17. Which body conducts Panchayat elections in India?

• a) Election Commission of India
• b) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
• c) State Election Commissions
• d) Ministry of Home Affairs
  Answer: c) State Election Commissions

18. Which of the following functions is assigned to Panchayats under the 11th Schedule of the Constitution?

• a) Defence
• b) Railways
• c) Agriculture
• d) International Trade
  Answer: c) Agriculture

19. The Panchayati Raj system was implemented on the recommendations of which commission?

• a) Sarkaria Commission
• b) Kothari Commission
• c) Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
• d) Narasimham Committee
  Answer: c) Balwant Rai Mehta Committee

20. Which of the following states was the second to adopt the Panchayati Raj system after Rajasthan?

• a) Gujarat
• b) Maharashtra
• c) Uttar Pradesh
• d) Punjab
  Answer: a) Gujarat

21. The chairperson of the Zila Parishad is elected by:

• a) Gram Sabha
• b) Panchayat Samiti members
• c) Elected members of the Zila Parishad
• d) State government
  Answer: c) Elected members of the Zila Parishad

22. Which of the following Panchayati Raj institutions works at the village level?

• a) Zila Parishad
• b) Gram Panchayat
• c) Panchayat Samiti
• d) Gram Sabha
  Answer: b) Gram Panchayat

23. Which Article in the Constitution allows states to make laws related to Panchayati Raj?

• a) Article 256
• b) Article 40
• c) Article 312
• d) Article 52
  Answer: b) Article 40

24. The main recommendation of the Ashok Mehta Committee was:

• a) Abolition of Panchayats
• b) Two-tier system of Panchayats
• c) Direct election to Zila Parishads
• d) Establishment of Lokpal
  Answer: b) Two-tier system of Panchayats

25. Which of the following is responsible for the administration of rural development programs in India?

• a) Ministry of Rural Development
• b) NITI Aayog
• c) Ministry of Finance
• d) Planning Commission
  Answer: a) Ministry of Rural Development

26. The Nyaya Panchayat is concerned with:

• a) Delivery of justice
• b) Educational programs
• c) Healthcare services
• d) Agricultural development
  Answer: a) Delivery of justice

27. Which of the following committees suggested constitutional recognition for Panchayati Raj?

• a) Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
• b) Ashok Mehta Committee
• c) GVK Rao Committee
• d) L.M. Singhvi Committee
  Answer: d) L.M. Singhvi Committee

28. What is the primary source of income for Panchayats?

• a) Central Government Grants
• b) State Government Grants
• c) Local Taxes and Grants
• d) International Funding
  Answer: c) Local Taxes and Grants

29. Which of the following roles is played by the Gram Panchayat?

• a) Framing the Constitution
• b) Local Governance and Development
• c) National Policy Formulation
• d) Defence Services
  Answer: b) Local Governance and Development

30. The Panchayati Raj system was initially introduced as part of:

• a) Directive Principles of State Policy
• b) Fundamental Rights
• c) Fundamental Duties
• d) Judicial Review
  Answer: a) Directive Principles of State Policy

These MCQs cover a comprehensive range of topics regarding the evolution, structure, and functioning of the Panchayati Raj system in India.