Local Self-Government MCQ: Municipal Corporations, the Community Development Programme & Panchayat Elections

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

1. Q1.Which of the following is NOT a type of urban local body in India?

   • A.Township
   • B.Port Trust
   • C.District Council✓ Correct Answer
   • D.Notified Area Committee

   Explanation: District Council is generally associated with autonomous districts in tribal areas (Sixth Schedule) or Zila Parishad in rural context, not strictly classified as one of the 8 urban local bodies like Township or Port Trust.

2. Q2.The Central Council of Local Self-Government was set up in which year?

   • A.1947
   • B.1950
   • C.1954✓ Correct Answer
   • D.1992

   Explanation: It was set up in 1954 under Article 263 of the Constitution to coordinate urban local government policy.

3. Q3.Who acts as the Chairman of the Central Council of Local Self-Government?

   • A.Prime Minister
   • B.Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Home Minister
   • D.President of India

   Explanation: The Union Minister for Housing and Urban Affairs acts as the Chairman of the Council.

4. Q4.In a Municipal Corporation, who is the chief executive authority?

   • A.The Mayor
   • B.The Municipal Commissioner✓ Correct Answer
   • C.The Standing Committee Chairman
   • D.The Deputy Mayor

   Explanation: The Municipal Commissioner is responsible for the implementation of the decisions taken by the council and its standing committees and is the chief executive authority.

5. Q5.What is the primary function of the 'Council' in a Municipal Corporation?

   • A.Executive implementation
   • B.Deliberative and legislative functions✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Judicial review
   • D.Auditing

   Explanation: The Council is the deliberative and legislative wing of the Municipal Corporation, consisting of elected councillors.

6. Q6.The Metropolitan Planning Committee must have how many members elected from amongst the elected members of the municipalities and chairpersons of the panchayats?

   • A.One-half
   • B.Two-thirds✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Three-fourths
   • D.Four-fifths

   Explanation: Not less than two-thirds of the members of a Metropolitan Planning Committee should be elected by the elected members of the municipalities and chairpersons of the panchayats in the area.

7. Q7.Which Article bars the interference of courts in electoral matters of Municipalities?

   • A.Article 243ZG✓ Correct Answer
   • B.Article 243ZF
   • C.Article 243ZE
   • D.Article 243O

   Explanation: Article 243ZG bars the interference of courts in electoral matters of municipalities.

8. Q8.Under the PESA Act, 1996, who has the power to safeguard and preserve the traditions and customs of the people?

   • A.The Governor
   • B.The Gram Sabha✓ Correct Answer
   • C.The District Panchayat
   • D.The Tribal Council

   Explanation: The PESA Act empowers the Gram Sabha to safeguard and preserve the traditions, customs, cultural identity, and community resources.

9. Q9.Which type of municipality is constituted for a 'smaller urban area'?

   • A.Municipal Corporation
   • B.Municipal Council✓ Correct Answer
   • C.Nagar Panchayat
   • D.Township

   Explanation: A Municipal Council is constituted for a smaller urban area.

10. Q10.The 'Industrial Township' is a form of urban government where:

    • A.Elections are held every 5 years
    • B.The municipality is elected by workers
    • C.The area is exempted from constituting a municipality by the Governor✓ Correct Answer
    • D.The Mayor is appointed by the Industry owner

    Explanation: If an area is an industrial township, the Governor may exempt it from the provisions of constituting a municipality, generally because civic services are provided by the industry.

11. Q11.Which committee recommended the 'Two-tier' system for Panchayati Raj?

    • A.Balwant Rai Mehta
    • B.Ashok Mehta✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Santhanam Committee
    • D.Thungon Committee

    Explanation: The Ashok Mehta Committee (1977) recommended replacing the three-tier system with a two-tier system.

12. Q12.What is the status of the 'Mayor' in most Municipal Corporations in India?

    • A.Real Executive
    • B.Chief Judicial Officer
    • C.Figurehead / Ornamental✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Appointed bureaucrat

    Explanation: In most states, the Mayor is a figurehead or ceremonial head, while the executive power lies with the Municipal Commissioner.

13. Q13.According to the 73rd Amendment, the validity of any law relating to the delimitation of constituencies cannot be questioned in:

    • A.Any Court✓ Correct Answer
    • B.The Supreme Court only
    • C.The High Court only
    • D.The Election Commission

    Explanation: Article 243O states that the validity of any law relating to delimitation of constituencies or allotment of seats shall not be called in question in any court.

14. Q14.Who conducts the audit of the accounts of Municipalities?

    • A.CAG of India
    • B.State Accountant General
    • C.As decided by the State Legislature✓ Correct Answer
    • D.District Collector

    Explanation: The State Legislature may make provisions with respect to the maintenance of accounts by municipalities and the auditing of such accounts.

15. Q15.Which committee was appointed in 1963 to look into the 'Judicial functions of Panchayats'?

    • A.Santhanam Committee
    • B.Rajagopalachari Committee
    • C.G.R. Rajgopal Committee✓ Correct Answer
    • D.Diwakar Committee

    Explanation: The Study Team on Nyaya Panchayats (1963) was chaired by G.R. Rajgopal.

16. Q16.The 'Community Development Programme', which was the precursor to Panchayati Raj, was launched in which year?

    • A.1947
    • B.1950
    • C.1952✓ Correct Answer
    • D.1953

    Explanation: The Community Development Programme was launched on October 2, 1952.

17. Q17.Which committee was appointed in 1965 to examine 'Panchayati Raj Elections'?

    • A.K. Santhanam Committee✓ Correct Answer
    • B.R.K. Khanna Committee
    • C.G. Ramachandran Committee
    • D.V.R. Rao Committee

    Explanation: The Committee on Panchayati Raj Elections (1965) was chaired by K. Santhanam.

18. Q18.Under the 73rd Amendment, if a Panchayat is dissolved before its term, elections must be held within:

    • A.3 months
    • B.6 months✓ Correct Answer
    • C.1 year
    • D.As soon as possible

    Explanation: Elections to constitute the panchayat shall be completed before the expiry of a period of six months from the date of its dissolution.

19. Q19.The chairperson of a Panchayat at the intermediate level is elected by:

    • A.Directly by the people
    • B.Indirectly by elected members from amongst themselves✓ Correct Answer
    • C.Appointed by the State Government
    • D.By the Gram Sabha

    Explanation: The chairperson of a panchayat at the intermediate level is elected indirectly by and from amongst the elected members thereof.

20. Q20.Which of the following states does NOT come under the purview of Part IX of the Constitution (Panchayati Raj)?

    • A.Nagaland✓ Correct Answer
    • B.Kerala
    • C.Goa
    • D.Sikkim

    Explanation: The Act does not apply to the states of Nagaland, Meghalaya, and Mizoram and certain other scheduled areas.