BPSC CCE Prelims
Local Government Previous Year Questions (PYQs)
Showing solved Previous Year Questions for Chapter: Local Government
Topic Breakdown: Scroll →
What is the system of governance in the Panchayat Raj set-up?
Detailed Explanation:
The Panchayati Raj system in India follows a three-tier structure of local self-government as per the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.
The three tiers are: Gram Panchayat (village level), Panchayat Samiti/Block Panchayat (intermediate/block level), and Zila Parishad (district level).
States with population below 20 lakh may have a two-tier system (excluding the intermediate level), but the standard constitutional framework is three-tier.
Who is empowered to review financial position of the Panchayats?
Detailed Explanation:
Article 243-I of the Constitution mandates that the Governor shall constitute a State Finance Commission every five years to review the financial position of Panchayats.
The Finance Commission recommends distribution of taxes between the State and Panchayats, principles for grants-in-aid from the State's Consolidated Fund, and measures to improve Panchayats' financial health.
What is the main purpose of Panchayati Raj?
Detailed Explanation:
Panchayati Raj is a system of decentralized governance established by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 to promote grassroots democracy.
Its primary purpose is to enable people's participation in development administration at the village, block, and district levels through local self-governance. While increased employment, agricultural production, and political awareness may be outcomes, the core objective is participatory development where communities directly plan and implement their own development programs.
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Under Article "243J" which of the following can make provisions to the maintenance of accounts by Panchayats?
Detailed Explanation:
Article 243J empowers the State Legislature to make laws regarding the maintenance of accounts by Panchayats and the auditing of such accounts.
Parliament does not have authority under this article as it falls under Part IX (Panchayati Raj), which is a state subject. The District Collector is an executive officer with no legislative power, and the State Finance Commission only reviews financial positions and recommends grants, not account maintenance rules.
At what level does a Panchayat Samiti operate a Panchayati Raj structure?
Detailed Explanation:
Panchayat Samiti operates at the block level (also called Taluka or Mandal level) in the three-tier Panchayati Raj system.
The three-tier structure comprises: Gram Panchayat (village level), Panchayat Samiti (block level), and Zila Parishad (district level), as per the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992.
Which one of the following was established as the first programme of community development?
Detailed Explanation:
National Extension Service (NES) was established in 1953 as India's first programme of community development on a permanent basis.
Cooperation Movement began in 1904 (Cooperative Credit Societies Act) but was not a community development programme.
Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP) was launched in 1978-80, much later than NES.
NES aimed at providing institutional framework for rural development through multipurpose village-level workers and block-level administration.
Consider the following statements:
In the post-73rd Amendment era, there has to be decentralization of
- decision-making powers
- system as a whole
- judicial powers
- administrative powers
Which of the above statements are correct?
Detailed Explanation:
✅ Statement 1 – Correct: The 73rd Amendment Act, 1992 mandates decentralization of decision-making powers to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) for local self-governance.
✅ Statement 2 – Correct: The Amendment requires decentralization of the system as a whole, transferring functions, funds, and functionaries to PRIs under the three-tier structure.
❌ Statement 3 – Incorrect: Judicial powers are not decentralized to PRIs; the judiciary remains under the domain of the State and Union as per the Constitution.
✅ Statement 4 – Correct: Administrative powers related to the 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule are to be decentralized to PRIs for local administration.
The minimum age for contesting elections to the Panchayati Raj Institutions should be how many years according to the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act?
Detailed Explanation:
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 inserted Part IX into the Constitution, providing constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Article 243F specifies the disqualifications for membership of Panchayats, stating that a person shall not be less than 21 years of age to be chosen to fill a seat in a Panchayat.
This is different from the general voting age of 18 years for elections, which is the minimum age for contesting elections to Lok Sabha and State Assemblies (25 years for Lok Sabha).
Which of the following is not a part of the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution?
Detailed Explanation:
The Eleventh Schedule (Article 243G) lists 29 subjects assigned to Panchayats for rural local self-governance, added by the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992.
Libraries, Fuel and Fodder, and Technical Training are entries 18, 14, and 17 respectively in the Eleventh Schedule. Rural Sports does not appear anywhere in this Schedule.
Therefore, Rural Sports is not part of the Eleventh Schedule, making Option 3 the correct answer.
Which State does not have Panchayat system?
Detailed Explanation:
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 mandated Panchayati Raj for all states, but Mizoram, Nagaland, and Meghalaya are exempt under Article 243M due to tribal governance under the Sixth Schedule.
West Bengal, Kerala, and Bihar all have active Panchayati Raj systems with elected three-tier local governance structures.
Therefore, Mizoram does not have a Panchayat system, making Option 1 the correct answer.
To review the financial position of Panchayats, the State Government constitutes every five years a/an
Detailed Explanation:
Article 243-I of the Indian Constitution mandates that every state must constitute a State Finance Commission at least once every five years to review the financial position of Panchayats and municipalities.
The Commission recommends the distribution of state tax revenues, taxes/levies that local bodies may collect, and grants-in-aid from the state's Consolidated Fund to strengthen local governance finances.
Therefore, the State Finance Commission reviews Panchayat finances every five years, making Option 4 the correct answer.