Q80. What is the chief purpose of Panchayati Raj?
[71st BPSC Preliminary Examination | 2025]
A. Increase employment alone
B. Raise crop production alone
C. Provide political awareness alone
D. Enable public participation in development administration
Answer: (D) Enable public participation in development administration
Explanation: Panchayati Raj decentralises development decisions and gives rural residents a participatory role in governance. Employment, agriculture and civic awareness may improve through this process, but they are not its defining objective. Local accountability and involvement are central to the model.
Q79. Which Panchayati Raj tier functions at village level?
[SSC Stenographer | 2025]
A. Panchayat Samiti
B. Zila Parishad
C. Gram Panchayat
D. Gram Sabha
Answer: (C) Gram Panchayat
Explanation: The Gram Panchayat is the village-tier elected institution responsible for local matters. Gram Sabha is different: it comprises persons enrolled as voters in the relevant village area. Panchayat Samiti generally functions at block level, while Zila Parishad is district-level.
Q78. Which range of Articles concerns Panchayati Raj institutions?
[Punjab Police Constable | 2025]
A. Articles 246–250
B. Articles 230–235
C. Articles 40–50
D. Articles 243–243O
Answer: (D) Articles 243–243O
Explanation: Articles 243 to 243O form Part IX, titled The Panchayats. Their subjects include definitions, Gram Sabha, constitution and composition, reservations, duration, elections and finances. Article 40 separately urges states to organise village Panchayats as a Directive Principle.
Q77. What is the principal objective of Panchayati Raj institutions?
[IB ACIO Grade-II | 2025]
A. Economic liberalisation
B. Judicial reforms
C. Urban planning
D. Rural governance and development
Answer: (D) Rural governance and development
Explanation: Panchayati Raj institutions exist to strengthen representative local decision-making and developmental administration in rural areas. The Seventy-third Amendment supplied constitutional protection and regular elections. Their focus is neither judicial reform nor urban administration, which have separate institutional arrangements.
Q76. Which Panchayati Raj institution covers the district as a whole?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I | 2025]
A. Village Panchayat
B. Gram Sabha
C. Block Samiti
D. Zila Parishad
Answer: (D) Zila Parishad
Explanation: Zila Parishad functions at the district tier of the Panchayati Raj system. It can coordinate development activities across blocks and villages, subject to state law. Panchayat Samitis operate at the intermediate level, while Gram Panchayats are village-level bodies.
Q75. Which Panchayati Raj body is elected at the grassroots level?
[RRB NTPC Graduate CBT-I | 2025]
A. Panchayat Samiti
B. Gram Panchayat
C. Zila Parishad
D. Block Samiti
Answer: (B) Gram Panchayat
Explanation: Gram Panchayats are directly elected institutions at the village level. The Gram Sabha encompasses registered village voters and is not the same as an elected Panchayat. The two higher tiers link local administration and planning at block and district levels.
Q74. Which constitutional amendment established the three-tier Panchayati Raj framework?
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A. 73rd Amendment
B. 52nd Amendment
C. 93rd Amendment
D. 42nd Amendment
Answer: (A) 73rd Amendment
Explanation: The Seventy-third Amendment of 1992 added Part IX and constitutionalised rural Panchayats at village, intermediate and district levels. The middle tier need not be formed in states with populations of twenty lakh or less. The other listed amendments address different matters.
Q73. Which municipal official prepares budget estimates?
[OSSSC CRE Preliminary Examination | 2025]
A. Prime Minister
B. Municipal Commissioner
C. Governor
D. Mayor
Answer: (B) Municipal Commissioner
Explanation: A Municipal Commissioner generally heads the professional executive side of a municipal corporation and prepares budget estimates in accordance with applicable state municipal law. The elected council and committees consider financial proposals, while the Mayor performs political leadership functions.
Q72. Municipalities primarily fall under the legislative control of which government level?
[OSSSC CRE Preliminary Examination | 2025]
A. Private institutions
B. State governments
C. International bodies
D. Central government
Answer: (B) State governments
Explanation: Municipalities are constitutional urban local institutions, but state legislatures frame much of their legal structure under Part IX-A. State municipal laws govern functions, staff and revenue powers. Constitutional recognition therefore does not mean complete legal independence from the states.
Q71. Which amendment gave constitutional status to Gram Sabha?
[Punjab Police Constable | 2025]
A. 73rd Amendment
B. 62nd Amendment
C. 95th Amendment
D. 84th Amendment
Answer: (A) 73rd Amendment
Explanation: The Seventy-third Amendment inserted the constitutional definition and framework for Gram Sabha under Part IX. Article 243A leaves the Sabha’s detailed powers and functions to state legislation. It serves as a participatory village assembly distinct from the elected Gram Panchayat.
