Local Self-Government MCQ: Balwant Rai Mehta Committee & the 73rd-74th Amendments

Attempt the quiz above first, then review every question with its correct answer and a short explanation below.

1. Q1.Who is known as the 'Father of Local Self-Government' in India?

   • A.Lord Mayo
   • B.Lord Ripon✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Lord Curzon
   • D.Lord Dalhousie

   Explanation: Lord Ripon's Resolution of 1882 is hailed as the 'Magna Carta' of local self-government in India.

2. Q2.Which article of the Indian Constitution directs the State to organize village panchayats?

   • A.Article 38
   • B.Article 39
   • C.Article 40✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Article 41

   Explanation: Article 40 under the Directive Principles of State Policy directs the State to take steps to organize village panchayats.

3. Q3.The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee was appointed in which year?

   • A.1955
   • B.1957✓ Correct Answer
   • C.1959
   • D.1962

   Explanation: The Government of India appointed the committee in January 1957 to examine the working of the Community Development Programme.

4. Q4.Which committee recommended the establishment of a three-tier Panchayati Raj system?

   • A.Ashok Mehta Committee
   • B.Balwant Rai Mehta Committee✓ Correct Answer
   • C.G.V.K. Rao Committee
   • D.L.M. Singhvi Committee

   Explanation: The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee recommended the establishment of the scheme of 'democratic decentralization', specifically a three-tier system.

5. Q5.Which was the first state to establish Panchayati Raj in India?

   • A.Andhra Pradesh
   • B.Tamil Nadu
   • C.Rajasthan✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Gujarat

   Explanation: Rajasthan was the first state to establish Panchayati Raj. It was inaugurated in Nagaur district on October 2, 1959.

6. Q6.The Ashok Mehta Committee (1977) recommended which type of Panchayati Raj structure?

   • A.Two-tier system✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Three-tier system
   • C.Four-tier system
   • D.Single-tier system

   Explanation: The Ashok Mehta Committee recommended a two-tier system: Zila Parishad at the district level and Mandal Panchayat at the village level.

7. Q7.Which Constitutional Amendment gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions?

   • A.72nd Amendment Act
   • B.73rd Amendment Act✓ Correct Answer
   • C.74th Amendment Act
   • D.75th Amendment Act

   Explanation: The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992 gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions.

8. Q8.The 73rd Amendment Act added which Part to the Constitution of India?

   • A.Part VIII
   • B.Part IX✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Part IX-A
   • D.Part X

   Explanation: The 73rd Amendment Act added a new Part IX to the Constitution entitled 'The Panchayats'.

9. Q9.Which schedule was added to the Constitution by the 73rd Amendment Act?

   • A.10th Schedule
   • B.11th Schedule✓ Correct Answer
   • C.12th Schedule
   • D.13th Schedule

   Explanation: The 11th Schedule was added, containing 29 functional items of the panchayats.

10. Q10.Who appoints the State Election Commissioner?

    • A.President of India
    • B.Governor of the State✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Chief Minister
    • D.Chief Justice of High Court

    Explanation: The State Election Commissioner is appointed by the Governor of the state.

11. Q11.What is the minimum age required to contest elections for Panchayats?

    • A.18 years
    • B.21 years✓ Correct Answer
    • C.25 years
    • D.30 years

    Explanation: The minimum age to contest elections for panchayats is 21 years.

12. Q12.Which committee is famously known for describing Panchayati Raj institutions as 'Grass without roots'?

    • A.G.V.K. Rao Committee✓ Correct Answer
    • B.L.M. Singhvi Committee
    • C.Dantwala Committee
    • D.Hanumantha Rao Committee

    Explanation: The G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985) observed that bureaucratization had weakened PRIs, calling them 'grass without roots'.

13. Q13.How much reservation is mandated for women in Panchayats under the 73rd Amendment?

    • A.One-fourth
    • B.One-third✓ Correct Answer
    • C.One-half
    • D.Two-thirds

    Explanation: The Act mandates reservation of not less than one-third of the total number of seats for women.

14. Q14.The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act relates to:

    • A.Rural Local Government
    • B.Urban Local Government✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Co-operative Societies
    • D.State Legislature

    Explanation: The 74th Amendment Act of 1992 gave constitutional status to Urban Local Bodies (Municipalities).

15. Q15.Which part was added to the Constitution by the 74th Amendment Act?

    • A.Part IX
    • B.Part IX-A✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Part IX-B
    • D.Part XI

    Explanation: Part IX-A titled 'The Municipalities' was added by the 74th Amendment Act.

16. Q16.In which city was the first Municipal Corporation set up in India?

    • A.Bombay
    • B.Calcutta
    • C.Madras✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Delhi

    Explanation: The first Municipal Corporation was set up in Madras in 1688.

17. Q17.The term of office for a Panchayat is:

    • A.3 years
    • B.4 years
    • C.5 years✓ Correct Answer
    • D.6 years

    Explanation: The Act provides for a five-year term of office to the panchayat at every level.

18. Q18.Who constitutes the State Finance Commission to review the financial position of Panchayats?

    • A.Chief Minister
    • B.Governor✓ Correct Answer
    • C.State Finance Minister
    • D.President

    Explanation: The Governor of a state shall, after every five years, constitute a Finance Commission to review the financial position of the panchayats.

19. Q19.Under the 74th Amendment, a 'Metropolitan area' generally has a population of:

    • A.1 Lakh or more
    • B.5 Lakhs or more
    • C.10 Lakhs or more✓ Correct Answer
    • D.20 Lakhs or more

    Explanation: A 'Metropolitan area' means an area having a population of 10 Lakhs or more.

20. Q20.Which body is responsible for planning for the development of a district including both rural and urban areas?

    • A.Zila Parishad
    • B.District Planning Committee✓ Correct Answer
    • C.State Planning Board
    • D.Metropolitan Planning Committee

    Explanation: The 74th Amendment Act provides for the constitution of a District Planning Committee (DPC) to consolidate plans prepared by panchayats and municipalities.