Three Tier PR Structure — Set 1

Correct Answer: A. Village Panchayat, Block Samiti, and District Council

The correct answer is Village Panchayat, Block Samiti, and District Council. The three-tier system comprises Village Panchayats, Block Samiti, and District Councils. This topic is frequently tested in competitive examinations such as RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC.

Correct Answer: A. Local administration, development, welfare, and dispute resolution

The correct answer is Local administration, development, welfare, and dispute resolution. Village Panchayats handle local governance and development. This topic is frequently tested in competitive examinations such as RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC.

Correct Answer: A. Supervise village panchayats and coordinate development

The correct answer is Supervise village panchayats and coordinate development. Block Samiti supervises panchayats and coordinates development. This topic is frequently tested in competitive examinations such as RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC.

Correct Answer: A. Implement welfare schemes, collect taxes, manage resources

The correct answer is Implement welfare schemes, collect taxes, manage resources. Gram Panchayats have powers to implement schemes and manage funds. This topic is frequently tested in competitive examinations such as RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC.

Correct Answer: A. By direct democratic election from constituencies

The correct answer is By direct democratic election from constituencies. Panchayat members are elected directly by eligible voters. This topic is frequently tested in competitive examinations such as RRB NTPC, SSC, and UPSC.

Correct Answer: B. Village Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zila Parishad

The three-tier Panchayati Raj system consists of Village Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and Zila Parishad at the district level. This structure was recommended by the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee in 1957. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment of 1992 gave constitutional status to this three-tier structure. States with population below 20 lakh may have only two tiers.

Correct Answer: B. All voters in the village

Gram Sabha consists of all persons registered as voters in the electoral rolls of the Gram Panchayat. It is the primary democratic forum at the grassroots level. The Gram Sabha has the power to select beneficiaries for government schemes and approve annual budgets. Regular meetings of Gram Sabha are mandatory under most state Panchayati Raj Acts.

Correct Answer: B. Panchayati Raj institutions

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act 1992 gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). It added Part IX to the Constitution with Articles 243 to 243-O. The amendment mandated three-tier PRIs, reservation for SC/ST/OBC and women (one-third), five-year terms, and regular elections supervised by State Election Commissions. The 11th Schedule was also added listing 29 subjects for PRIs.

Correct Answer: B. 21 years

The minimum age to contest Panchayati Raj elections is 21 years as per the 73rd Amendment. This is lower than the age requirement for State Legislative Assemblies (25 years). The 73rd Amendment mandated that state legislatures specify the age criterion but set 21 as the floor. Voter age for Panchayat elections is 18 years, same as for other elections.

Correct Answer: B. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee

The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee, appointed in 1957, recommended the establishment of a three-tier democratic decentralization system. The committee recommended Village Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti at block level, and Zila Parishad at district level. Rajasthan was the first state to implement these recommendations in October 1959. The committee emphasized democratic decentralization and people's participation in planning.