Panchayati Raj (Art 243) — Set 9
Constitution Special · पंचायती राज (अनु. 243) · Questions 81–90 of 140
Article 243ZA provides for elections to Municipalities. This is analogous to which Panchayat provision?
Correct Answer: C. Article 243K
Article 243ZA (dealing with elections to Municipalities) is analogous to Article 243K (dealing with elections to Panchayats). Both articles establish State Election Commissions for superintending, directing, and controlling the preparation of electoral rolls and the conduct of elections. The 74th Amendment (Urban Local Bodies) mirrors the 73rd Amendment (Panchayati Raj).
Which state has the highest number of Panchayati Raj Institutions in India?
Correct Answer: C. Uttar Pradesh
Uttar Pradesh has the highest number of Gram Panchayats in India (approximately 58,000+), owing to its large population and the highest number of villages. The state has been implementing three-tier Panchayati Raj since the 1950s. Rajasthan pioneered Panchayati Raj in 1959 but has fewer panchayats due to its smaller population.
Rajiv Gandhi's 64th Amendment Bill (1989) failed to pass in?
Correct Answer: B. Rajya Sabha
The 64th Constitutional Amendment Bill (1989), introduced by Rajiv Gandhi's government to constitutionalize Panchayati Raj, was passed by the Lok Sabha but failed to get the required two-thirds majority in the Rajya Sabha and was defeated. This led to the eventual passage of the 73rd Amendment under P.V. Narasimha Rao's government in 1992.
The Grama Sabhas under the PESA Act are given special powers in tribal areas such as?
Correct Answer: B. Power to manage community resources and be consulted before land acquisition, licensing of mines
Under PESA 1996, Gram Sabhas in scheduled tribal areas are given special powers including: approval for acquisition of land in scheduled areas; management of minor water bodies, minor forest produce; right to be consulted before granting concessions for mines, lease, or license; power to prevent alienation of tribal lands; and power to regulate/manage village markets. This is an important constitutional provision that governs the structure and functioning of Indian democracy Understanding this constitutional provision is essential for competitive examinations and civic awareness. Understanding this provision thoroughly is essential for civil services, judicial services, and other competitive examinations.
The principle of subsidiarity in Panchayati Raj means?
Correct Answer: B. Decisions should be made at the lowest possible level of government that can effectively handle them
The principle of subsidiarity in governance means that decisions should be made at the lowest possible level of government that can effectively handle them. In Panchayati Raj, this means that functions that can be performed by Gram Panchayats should not be retained by state governments. This principle underlies the devolution approach in the 73rd Amendment.
Article 243ZF relates to the Constitution of Wards Committees within Municipal areas. Its panchayat equivalent is?
Correct Answer: B. Article 243A (Gram Sabha)
Article 243ZF (Ward Committees within Municipal areas) is most closely analogous to Article 243A (Gram Sabha within panchayat areas). Both concepts ensure citizen participation at the ward/village level. Ward Committees in municipalities function like Gram Sabhas in panchayat areas — they provide a forum for citizens to participate in local governance.
In how many states was the 73rd Amendment (Panchayati Raj) applicable initially?
Correct Answer: B. All states except J&K and small UTs
Article 243M explicitly excludes: (a) Scheduled Areas and Tribal Areas specified in Article 244; (b) States of Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram (due to traditional village administration); (c) Hill Areas of Manipur; and (d) Darjeeling district of West Bengal (Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council area). Parliament can extend provisions to these areas by law. The power to amend the Constitution is a special power that cannot be used to destroy its basic structure.
The ratio of women's reservation in Panchayats under Article 243D is?
Correct Answer: B. 33% (one-third)
Article 243D(3) provides that not less than one-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Panchayat shall be reserved for women. The seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies. Many states have enhanced this to 50%. The article also mandates reservation of women in chairperson positions.
The District Planning Committee (DPC) under Article 243ZD must ensure that 80% of members are?
Correct Answer: B. Elected members of Panchayats and Municipalities in the district
Article 243ZD provides that four-fifths (80%) of the members of the District Planning Committee shall be elected by, and from amongst, the elected members of the Panchayat at the district level and the Municipalities in the district, in proportion to the ratio between the rural and the urban population in the district. This constitutional provision under Article 243ZD is an essential part of the Indian constitutional framework Understanding this constitutional provision is essential for competitive examinations and civic awareness. Understanding this provision thoroughly is essential for civil services, judicial services, and other competitive examinations.
The Gram Panchayat is the basic unit of rural self-governance. What is the equivalent for urban areas?
Correct Answer: B. Municipal Corporation/Municipality/Town Panchayat under the 74th Amendment
The Gram Panchayat is the basic unit of rural self-governance under Part IX (73rd Amendment). Its urban equivalent is the Municipal Corporation/Municipality/Town Panchayat established under Part IXA (74th Amendment) which added Articles 243P-243ZG. The Twelfth Schedule (urban equivalent of Eleventh Schedule) lists 18 functions for Urban Local Bodies.