Local Self-Government MCQ: Lord Ripon's Resolution & the Evolution of Local Self-Government

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

1. Q1.Which act extended the provisions of Part IX of the Constitution to Scheduled Areas?

   • A.PESA Act, 1996✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Forest Rights Act, 2006
   • C.73rd Amendment Act
   • D.Tribal Sub-Plan Act

   Explanation: The Provisions of the Panchayats (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 (PESA) extended Part IX to Fifth Schedule areas.

2. Q2.A Nagar Panchayat is constituted for:

   • A.Large urban area
   • B.Smaller urban area
   • C.Transitional area✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Industrial township

   Explanation: A Nagar Panchayat is constituted for a transitional area, i.e., an area in transition from a rural area to an urban area.

3. Q3.Who presided over the L.M. Singhvi Committee appointed in 1986?

   • A.Rajiv Gandhi
   • B.L.M. Singhvi✓ Correct Answer
   • C.V.P. Singh
   • D.Morarji Desai

   Explanation: The committee was appointed by the Rajiv Gandhi government under the chairmanship of L.M. Singhvi.

4. Q4.The subject of 'Local Government' is mentioned in which list of the Seventh Schedule?

   • A.Union List
   • B.State List✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Concurrent List
   • D.Residuary List

   Explanation: Local Government is a subject mentioned in the State List (List II) of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution.

5. Q5.Which of the following is NOT a compulsory provision of the 73rd Amendment Act?

   • A.Organization of Gram Sabha
   • B.Direct elections to all seats
   • C.Reservation of seats for Backward Classes (OBCs)✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Minimum age of 21 for contesting

   Explanation: Reservation of seats for Backward Classes is a voluntary provision, left to the discretion of the State Legislature.

6. Q6.The 'Gram Sabha' is defined in which Article of the Constitution?

   • A.Article 243
   • B.Article 243A✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Article 243B
   • D.Article 243C

   Explanation: Article 243A provides that a Gram Sabha may exercise such powers and perform such functions at the village level as the Legislature of a State may provide.

7. Q7.The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act came into force on which date?

   • A.24th April, 1993
   • B.1st June, 1993✓ Correct Answer
   • C.2nd October, 1993
   • D.26th January, 1993

   Explanation: The 74th Amendment Act (Urban bodies) came into force on 1st June, 1993. (The 73rd came into force on 24th April).

8. Q8.A State having a population not exceeding _______ is not required to constitute Panchayats at the intermediate level.

   • A.10 Lakhs
   • B.15 Lakhs
   • C.20 Lakhs✓ Correct Answer
   • D.25 Lakhs

   Explanation: Panchayats at the intermediate level may not be constituted in a state having a population not exceeding 20 lakhs.

9. Q9.Who prepares the electoral rolls for the Panchayat elections?

   • A.Election Commission of India
   • B.State Election Commission✓ Correct Answer
   • C.District Collector
   • D.Block Development Officer

   Explanation: The superintendence, direction, and control of the preparation of electoral rolls are vested in the State Election Commission.

10. Q10.Who appointed the G.V.K. Rao Committee in 1985?

    • A.Ministry of Rural Development
    • B.Planning Commission✓ Correct Answer
    • C.President of India
    • D.Finance Commission

    Explanation: The G.V.K. Rao Committee was appointed by the Planning Commission in 1985 to review the administrative arrangements for rural development.

11. Q11.Who famously called the Indian villages 'Little Republics'?

    • A.Lord Ripon
    • B.Charles Metcalfe✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Lord Curzon
    • D.Mahatma Gandhi

    Explanation: Sir Charles Metcalfe, the provisional Governor-General of India, called the Indian village communities 'Little Republics'.

12. Q12.Under the Government of India Act, 1919, Local Self-Government was:

    • A.A Reserved Subject
    • B.A Transferred Subject✓ Correct Answer
    • C.A Central Subject
    • D.Not mentioned

    Explanation: Under the dyarchy system of the 1919 Act, Local Self-Government became a 'Transferred Subject' administered by Indian ministers.

13. Q13.Which type of Cantonment Board is constituted for a population exceeding 50,000?

    • A.Class I✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Class II
    • C.Class III
    • D.Class IV

    Explanation: Cantonment Boards are grouped into four classes. Class I is for civilian population exceeding 50,000.

14. Q14.The Royal Commission on Decentralisation was appointed in 1907 under the chairmanship of:

    • A.Lord Morley
    • B.Hobhouse✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Lord Minto
    • D.Montagu

    Explanation: It was appointed under the chairmanship of C.E.H. Hobhouse to investigate the causes of centralization.

15. Q15.Which of the following is NOT a type of Urban Local Body in India?

    • A.Notified Area Committee
    • B.Town Area Committee
    • C.Regional Council✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Port Trust

    Explanation: There are 8 types of urban local bodies. Regional Council is not one of them (it is related to 6th Schedule areas).

16. Q16.The members of a 'Notified Area Committee' are:

    • A.Directly elected
    • B.Indirectly elected
    • C.Nominated by State Government✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Partly elected and partly nominated

    Explanation: It is an entirely nominated body. All members are nominated by the state government.

17. Q17.The 'Magna Carta' of Local Self-Government (Lord Ripon's Resolution) was passed in:

    • A.1870
    • B.1882✓ Correct Answer
    • C.1909
    • D.1919

    Explanation: Lord Ripon's Resolution was passed in 1882.

18. Q18.Which committee was appointed to look into the 'Working of Community Development Projects and National Extension Service'?

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

    Explanation: This was the primary mandate of the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957).

19. Q19.The Cantonments Act of 2006 classifies Cantonment Boards into how many categories?

    • A.Three
    • B.Four✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Five
    • D.Six

    Explanation: Cantonment Boards are divided into four categories (I, II, III, IV) based on population.

20. Q20.The resolution of financial decentralization which visualized the development of local self-government institutions was associated with:

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

    Explanation: Lord Mayo's Resolution of 1870 on financial decentralization visualized the development of local self-government.