Local Government — Practice Questions
UPSC Prelims-pattern practice questions on Panchayati Raj and municipalities with full explanations — committees, schedules, Wards Committees, elections and the 74th Amendment.
Questions
These are original UPSC-pattern practice questions. Attempt each one before revealing the answer.
Consider the following pairs:
| Committee | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| 1. Balwant Rai Mehta Committee | Three-tier Panchayati Raj |
| 2. Ashok Mehta Committee | Two-tier Panchayati Raj |
| 3. L.M. Singhvi Committee | Constitutional recognition of local self-government |
How many of the pairs given above are correctly matched?
Solution
All three are correct. Balwant Rai Mehta (1957) — village, block, district. Ashok Mehta (1977–78) — Zila Parishad and Mandal Panchayat. L.M. Singhvi (1986) — constitutional recognition, realised by the 73rd Amendment.
Answer: C
How many of the following matters are listed in the Twelfth Schedule of the Constitution of India?
- Fire services
- Slum improvement and upgradation
- Regulation of land use and construction of buildings
- Vital statistics including registration of births and deaths
Solution
All four are among the 18 subjects of the Twelfth Schedule (municipalities, Article 243W). Do not confuse it with the Eleventh Schedule (panchayats, 29 subjects).
Answer: D
Which Article of the Constitution of India provides for the constitution of Wards Committees in municipalities having a population of three lakh or more?
Solution
Article 243S. Article 243R covers composition of municipalities; 243ZD the District Planning Committee; 243ZE the Metropolitan Planning Committee (population of ten lakh or more).
Answer: B
If a panchayat is dissolved before the expiry of its five-year term, the election to constitute it must ordinarily be completed within which period?
Solution
Article 243E(3) requires the election before the expiry of six months from the date of dissolution. If the remainder of the term is less than six months, an election for that short period need not be held. Article 243U applies the same rule to municipalities.
Answer: A
With reference to the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, consider the following statements:
- A Nagar Panchayat is to be constituted for an area in transition from a rural area to an urban area.
- Persons nominated to a municipality for their special knowledge of municipal administration have the right to vote in its meetings.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Solution
Statement 1 is correct (Article 243Q). Statement 2 is wrong — Article 243R permits such nominations but expressly says these persons shall not have the right to vote in municipal meetings.
Answer: A
Mains
State Finance Commissions were meant to be the financial backbone of local self-government. Examine why they have not fully played this role.
Solution
Introduction: Articles 243-I and 243Y require the Governor to constitute a State Finance Commission (SFC) every five years to recommend tax-sharing, assignment of taxes and grants for panchayats and municipalities.
Body:
- Design gaps: recommendations are advisory; there is no constitutional duty to accept them or to report action within a fixed time.
- Practice gaps: delayed constitution of SFCs; reports not tabled or acted on; poor data on local finances.
- Fiscal context: local bodies have narrow own-revenue bases (property tax, fees) and depend on tied transfers.
- Linkage: the Union Finance Commission (Article 280(3)(bb), (c)) relies on SFC reports, so weak SFCs weaken the whole chain.
Way forward: timely SFCs; action-taken reports; a common database of local finances; property-tax reform; performance-linked untied grants.
Conclusion: Without a functioning SFC, the third tier remains politically elected but financially dependent.