Multiple-choice questions (MCQs) with answers for the Civil Services Examination on the topic “Decentralization of Governance: Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies”

What is the primary objective of decentralization in governance?
- A) Centralize decision-making
- B) Reduce administrative costs
- C) Enhance local self-governance and accountability
- D) Increase federal control
Answer: C) Enhance local self-governance and accountability
Under which constitutional amendment were Panchayats introduced in India?
- A) 73rd Amendment Act
- B) 74th Amendment Act
- C) 72nd Amendment Act
- D) 71st Amendment Act
Answer: A) 73rd Amendment Act
Which body is responsible for implementing the 73rd Amendment Act in the states?
- A) Union Government
- B) State Legislature
- C) Supreme Court
- D) Local Municipalities
Answer: B) State Legislature
Which tier of Panchayats is at the village level?
- A) Zilla Parishad
- B) Block Panchayat
- C) Gram Panchayat
- D) District Panchayat
Answer: C) Gram Panchayat
The 74th Amendment Act deals with the decentralization of powers to which local bodies?
- A) Panchayats
- B) Municipalities
- C) District Councils
- D) State Legislatures
Answer: B) Municipalities
Which body is the highest authority in the Panchayati Raj system?
- A) Gram Panchayat
- B) Block Panchayat
- C) Zilla Parishad
- D) State Government
Answer: C) Zilla Parishad
What is the role of the Gram Sabha in the Panchayati Raj system?
- A) Supervise municipal bodies
- B) Function as an advisory body for the Gram Panchayat
- C) Implement national policies
- D) Oversee block-level functions
Answer: B) Function as an advisory body for the Gram Panchayat
Which type of local body is responsible for urban areas under the 74th Amendment Act?
- A) Gram Sabha
- B) Municipalities
- C) Zilla Parishad
- D) Panchayats
Answer: B) Municipalities
What is the tenure of members of a Gram Panchayat?
- A) 2 years
- B) 3 years
- C) 4 years
- D) 5 years
Answer: D) 5 years
Which authority is responsible for the election of the chairperson of a Zilla Parishad?
- A) State Governor
- B) District Collector
- C) Gram Panchayat Members
- D) Block Panchayat Members
Answer: D) Block Panchayat Members
The concept of ‘Sarpanch’ is associated with which local body?
- A) Municipal Corporation
- B) Gram Panchayat
- C) Zilla Parishad
- D) Block Panchayat
Answer: B) Gram Panchayat
Which amendment introduced the provision for reservation of seats for women and Scheduled Castes/Scheduled Tribes in local bodies?
- A) 72nd Amendment Act
- B) 73rd Amendment Act
- C) 74th Amendment Act
- D) 75th Amendment Act
Answer: B) 73rd Amendment Act
The Mayor of a Municipal Corporation is elected by:
- A) The general public
- B) The elected representatives of the Municipal Corporation
- C) The State Governor
- D) The Chief Minister
Answer: B) The elected representatives of the Municipal Corporation
Which local body has the responsibility for maintaining sanitation and public health in urban areas?
- A) Gram Panchayat
- B) Municipal Corporation
- C) Zilla Parishad
- D) Block Panchayat
Answer: B) Municipal Corporation
Which committee recommended the introduction of Panchayati Raj institutions in India?
- A) Kothari Committee
- B) Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
- C) Sachar Committee
- D) Narasimham Committee
Answer: B) Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
The Municipalities are categorized into which three types as per the 74th Amendment Act?
- A) Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, and Nagar Panchayats
- B) Municipal Boards, Gram Panchayats, and Zilla Parishads
- C) Nagar Panchayats, Block Panchayats, and Municipal Corporations
- D) Municipal Councils, Zilla Parishads, and Gram Sabhas
Answer: A) Municipal Corporations, Municipal Councils, and Nagar Panchayats
Which body is responsible for providing basic services like water supply, street lighting, and drainage in rural areas?
- A) Block Panchayat
- B) Gram Panchayat
- C) Zilla Parishad
- D) Municipal Corporation
Answer: B) Gram Panchayat
The concept of ‘Nagar Panchayat’ is primarily associated with:
- A) Village areas
- B) Metropolitan areas
- C) Urban areas with less population
- D) Rural areas
Answer: C) Urban areas with less population
Which act aims to devolve powers and responsibilities to local governments in urban areas?
- A) Panchayati Raj Act
- B) Urban Local Bodies Act
- C) Municipalities Act
- D) 74th Amendment Act
Answer: D) 74th Amendment Act
The Sarpanch is elected by:
- A) Members of the Gram Panchayat
- B) The general public of the village
- C) The District Collector
- D) The Gram Sabha
Answer: B) The general public of the village
Which local body is primarily responsible for the development and welfare activities in rural areas?
- A) Gram Sabha
- B) Gram Panchayat
- C) Zilla Parishad
- D) Municipal Corporation
Answer: C) Zilla Parishad
What is the role of the Panchayat Samiti in the Panchayati Raj system?
- A) Act as a judicial body
- B) Function as a coordinating body for the Block Panchayat
- C) Manage urban areas
- D) Oversee the functioning of Municipalities
Answer: B) Function as a coordinating body for the Block Panchayat
What is the term for the elected head of a Municipal Council?
- A) Mayor
- B) Chairman
- C) Sarpanch
- D) President
Answer: B) Chairman
Which local body is the primary unit of urban governance for towns with a small population?
- A) Municipal Corporation
- B) Municipal Council
- C) Nagar Panchayat
- D) Gram Panchayat
Answer: C) Nagar Panchayat
What percentage of seats in local bodies are reserved for women as per the 73rd Amendment Act?
- A) 20%
- B) 30%
- C) 33%
- D) 50%
Answer: C) 33%
Which body is responsible for the financial management of the Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies?
- A) State Finance Commission
- B) Union Finance Ministry
- C) Local Government Board
- D) Reserve Bank of India
Answer: A) State Finance Commission
The District Panchayat is responsible for:
- A) Implementing national policies
- B) Overseeing the functioning of Gram Panchayats
- C) Managing urban local bodies
- D) Supervising block-level functions
Answer: B) Overseeing the functioning of Gram Panchayats
Which body is the lowest tier in the Urban Local Body hierarchy?
- A) Municipal Corporation
- B) Municipal Council
- C) Nagar Panchayat
- D) Gram Panchayat
Answer: C) Nagar Panchayat
What is the primary function of the Gram Sabha?
- A) Conduct elections
- B) Formulate state policies
- C) Review and approve plans of the Gram Panchayat
- D) Manage urban infrastructure
Answer: C) Review and approve plans of the Gram Panchayat
Which constitutional provision mandates the creation of a State Finance Commission for the distribution of financial resources to local bodies?
- A) Article 243I
- B) Article 280
- C) Article 243A
- D) Article 243B
Answer: A) Article 243I

These MCQs cover various aspects of decentralization, particularly focusing on Panchayats and Urban Local Bodies, reflecting their structure, functions, and legislative background.

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