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The concept of social audit of Panchayat/Municipality works by Gram Sabha/Wards Committee is promoted under the ______ Act, 2005.
- Right to Information
- Mahatma Gandhi NREGA
- National Rural Health Mission
- Swachh Bharat
Answer: Mahatma Gandhi NREGA
MGNREGA, 2005: Mandates social audit of works by Gram Sabha to ensure transparency, accountability, and citizen participation. Social audit involves public verification of records, expenditure, beneficiary selection. Has been extended to other schemes. Strengthens grassroots democracy by empowering citizens to monitor local governance.
The 73rd and 74th Amendments have successfully ensured regular elections, reservation implementation, and financial devolution to local bodies across all States.
- True
- False
Answer: False
While 73rd/74th Amendments institutionalized local self-government, implementation gaps persist: (a) Irregular elections in some States, (b) Inadequate devolution of functions/funds/functionaries (3 Fs), (c) Limited capacity building, (d) Political interference in State Election Commissions. Second Administrative Reforms Commission (2007) highlighted need for genuine empowerment. Progress is uneven but significant.
Accounts of Panchayats and Municipalities are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General of India directly.
- True
- False
Answer: False
Article 243J: State Legislature may make provisions for maintenance/audit of Panchayat/Municipality accounts. CAG audits only if State law so provides. Most States have local fund audit departments. CAG's role is limited to grants/loans from Consolidated Fund. Ensures accountability while respecting State autonomy over local bodies.
Disqualification for membership of Panchayats/Municipalities is determined by State Legislature, subject to provisions of which Article?
- Article 243F
- Article 243G
- Article 243H
- Article 243I
Answer: Article 243F
Article 243F: Disqualifications for Panchayat/Municipality membership: (a) As per State law, (b) Subject to Constitution: unsound mind (court declaration), undischarged insolvent, holding office of profit (as State law determines). State Election Commission decides disqualification questions. Balances State flexibility with constitutional safeguards.
The Twelfth Schedule of the Constitution, added by 74th Amendment, contains how many functional items for Municipalities?
- 12
- 18
- 29
- 35
Answer: 18
Twelfth Schedule (Article 243W): 18 functional items for Municipalities including urban planning, regulation of land use, water supply, public health, slum improvement, urban poverty alleviation, parks, gardens, cemeteries, fire services, vital statistics, etc. States devolve powers/functions to Municipalities by law, enabling effective urban service delivery.
Under Article 243S, Wards Committees must be constituted in Municipalities with population of ______ lakhs or more.
- 1
- 3
- 5
- 10
Answer: 3
Article 243S: Wards Committees (comprising elected members from wards) mandatory for Municipalities with population of 3 lakhs or more. Facilitates micro-level planning, citizen participation, and accountability. State Legislatures may constitute Wards Committees for smaller Municipalities. Strengthens participatory urban governance.
Reservation of seats for women in Municipalities is mandatory at not less than one-third, including within SC/ST reservations, similar to Panchayats.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 243T: Reservation in Municipalities mirrors Panchayats: (a) SCs/STs in proportion to population, (b) Not less than 1/3 for women (including within SC/ST quotas), (c) States may reserve for OBCs. Chairperson positions also reserved. Has significantly increased women's representation in urban local governance.
Which of the following is NOT a type of Municipality under Article 243Q?
- Nagar Panchayat
- Municipal Council
- Municipal Corporation
- Cantonment Board
Answer: Cantonment Board
Article 243Q: Three types of Municipalities based on population, density, revenue: (a) Nagar Panchayat (transitional area), (b) Municipal Council (smaller urban area), (c) Municipal Corporation (larger urban area). Cantonment Boards are under Ministry of Defence, governed by Cantonments Act, 2006, not Part IXA.
The Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, added by 73rd Amendment, contains how many functional items for Panchayats?
- 18
- 29
- 35
- 42
Answer: 29
Eleventh Schedule (Article 243G): 29 functional items for Panchayats including agriculture, land improvement, minor irrigation, rural housing, drinking water, roads, rural electrification, poverty alleviation, education, health, women and child development, etc. States may devolve powers/functions to Panchayats by law. Enables activity mapping for effective decentralization.
The State Election Commissioner can be removed from office only in like manner and on like grounds as a Judge of High Court.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Article 243K(2): State Election Commissioner's removal conditions same as High Court Judge (Article 217): by Presidential order after Parliament address with special majority. Ensures independence of State Election Commission from State executive, enabling impartial conduct of local elections. Critical for democratic decentralization.
The term of Panchayats is ______ years from the date of first meeting, and elections must be completed before expiry of term.
- 3
- 4
- 5
- 6
Answer: 5
Article 243E: Panchayat term is 5 years. If dissolved earlier, elections within 6 months; new Panchayat serves only remainder of term. State Election Commission (Article 243K) conducts elections, independent of State government. Ensures regular, free, fair local elections, strengthening grassroots democracy.
Under Article 243D, not less than one-third of seats in Panchayats are reserved for ______, including one-third within SC/ST reservations.
- OBCs
- Women
- Minorities
- Persons with Disabilities
Answer: Women
Article 243D(3): Reservation of seats: (a) SCs/STs in proportion to population, (b) Not less than 1/3 for women (including within SC/ST quotas), (c) States may reserve for OBCs. Chairperson positions also reserved similarly. 73rd Amendment made India a global leader in women's political representation at local level.
Under Article 3, Parliament can form new States or alter boundaries of existing States, but must first refer the proposal to the ______ for expressing views.
- Supreme Court
- State Legislature(s) affected
- Finance Commission
- Inter-State Council
Answer: State Legislature(s) affected
Article 3: Parliament may by law: (a) form new States, (b) increase/decrease State area, (c) alter boundaries/name. Procedure: President refers bill to affected State Legislature(s) for views within specified period; Parliament not bound by views. Ensures federal consultation while preserving Union's power to reorganize States for administrative efficiency.
The Supreme Court has original jurisdiction under Article 131 to adjudicate disputes between the Union and States or between States, except those arising from pre-Constitution ______.
- laws
- treaties
- agreements
- customs
Answer: treaties
Article 131 proviso: SC's original jurisdiction in federal disputes excludes matters arising from treaties, agreements, covenants, engagements, sanads entered into before Constitution commencement and continuing thereafter. Such disputes resolved per terms of instrument. Preserves historical arrangements while enabling judicial resolution of new federal conflicts.
NITI Aayog, which replaced Planning Commission, promotes cooperative federalism by including all State Chief Ministers in its Governing Council.
- True
- False
Answer: True
NITI Aayog (2015): Governing Council comprises PM (Chairperson), all CMs, UT Lt. Governors. Unlike Planning Commission's top-down approach, NITI Aayog emphasizes 'Team India' with States as partners. Has no constitutional status but institutionalizes cooperative federalism through policy dialogue, best practices sharing, and competitive federalism rankings.
The Governor acts as a vital link between Union and State governments in India's federal structure.
- True
- False
Answer: True
Governor (appointed by President) performs dual role: (a) Constitutional head of State executive, (b) Agent of Union for reporting State affairs to President (Article 356). This dual role can create tension but is designed to maintain federal balance. Sarkaria Commission recommended Governors act impartially, not as Union agents.
Article 343 declares Hindi in Devanagari script as the official language of Union, but English continues for official purposes for a period of ______ years from commencement of Constitution.
- 10
- 15
- 20
- 25
Answer: 15
Article 343(2): English to continue for 15 years (till 1965) for official Union purposes. Official Languages Act, 1963 extended English indefinitely alongside Hindi. Article 345 allows States to adopt official language(s). Article 346 provides for language for communication between States and with Union. Balances national integration with linguistic diversity.
The Inter-State Council, established under Article 263, is chaired by the ______.
- Vice President
- Prime Minister
- Chief Justice of India
- Home Minister
Answer: Prime Minister
Article 263: President may establish Inter-State Council to inquire into and advise on: (a) disputes between States, (b) subjects of common interest, (c) policy recommendations. Established in 1990; chaired by PM; members include CMs of States, UTs, and Union Ministers. Promotes inter-governmental cooperation.
The GST Council, which makes recommendations on GST issues, is chaired by the ______ and includes Union Finance Minister and State Finance Ministers.
- Prime Minister
- President
- Union Finance Minister
- Chief Justice
Answer: Union Finance Minister
Article 279A (inserted by 101st Amendment, 2016): GST Council chaired by Union Finance Minister; members include Union Minister of State for Finance + State Finance Ministers. Decisions by 3/4 majority: Centre has 1/3 vote weight, States collectively 2/3. Exemplifies cooperative federalism in fiscal matters.
Under Article 275, Parliament can make grants-in-aid to States which are in need of assistance, charged on the ______ Fund of India.
- Contingency
- Public Account
- Consolidated
- Relief
Answer: Consolidated
Article 275: Parliament may make statutory grants-in-aid to States in need, charged on Consolidated Fund of India (not subject to annual vote). Includes specific grants for welfare of STs, improvement of administration in Assam, etc. Distinct from Article 282 grants (for public purpose, discretionary).