Static Quiz 21 April 2026 (Polity)

Q1. With reference to the evolution of Panchayati Raj in India, consider the following statements regarding committee recommendations:

1. The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee suggested that the Zila Parishad should be the executive body responsible for planning.
2. The Ashok Mehta Committee recommended a two-tier system consisting of Zila Parishad and Mandal Panchayat.
3. The G.V.K. Rao Committee proposed the creation of the post of District Development Commissioner.
4. The L.M. Singhvi Committee was the first to recommend constitutional recognition for Panchayati Raj institutions.

Which of the statements given above are correct?
A) 1, 2 and 3 only
B) 2, 3 and 4 only
C) 1 and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q1. (B) 2, 3 and 4 only

Explanation:

• Statement 1 – Incorrect
  • Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957):
    • Recommended 3-tier system: Gram Panchayat–Panchayat Samiti–Zila Parishad.
    • Zila Parishad = advisory/supervisory body, not executive.
    • Panchayat Samiti (block level) was the executive body.
• Statement 2 – Correct
  • Ashok Mehta Committee (1978):
    • Recommended 2-tier system:
      • Zila Parishad (district level) – primary planning body.
      • Mandal Panchayat (group of villages).
• Statement 3 – Correct
  • G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985):
    • Emphasized district as basic unit of planning.
    • Recommended District Development Commissioner (DDC) to head development administration.
• Statement 4 – Correct
  • L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986):
    • First to recommend constitutional status to Panchayats.
    • Also emphasized Gram Sabha as foundation of democracy.

Q2. Which of the following areas are exempted from the application of Part IX of the Constitution (73rd Amendment Act) unless specifically extended by Parliament?

1. Meghalaya, Mizoram, and Nagaland
2. The National Capital Territory of Delhi
3. The hill areas of Manipur for which district councils exist
4. The Darjeeling district of West Bengal

Select the correct answer using the code given below:
A) 1 and 3 only
B) 1, 2 and 3 only
C) 1, 3 and 4 only
D) 1, 2, 3 and 4

Q2. (C) 1, 3 and 4 only

Explanation:

• Constitutional Provision (Article 243M): Exceptions to Part IX
• Statement 1 – Correct
  • Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram → Fully exempt (due to tribal customary systems).
• Statement 2 – Incorrect
  • NCT of Delhi:
    • Part IX is not applicable, but explicitly excluded separately (not grouped with tribal exceptions in same sense).
• Statement 3 – Correct
  • Hill areas of Manipur with District Councils → exempt.
• Statement 4 – Correct
  • Darjeeling (West Bengal):
    • Covered under Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council / GTA, hence exempt unless extended.

Q3. Regarding the provisions of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, consider the following statements:

1. The establishment of an intermediate level of Panchayat is mandatory for all states.
2. Not less than one-third of the total number of offices of chairpersons at all levels must be reserved for women.
3. A person can be disqualified from being a member of a Panchayat if they have not attained the age of 25 years.

Which of the statements given above is/are NOT correct?
A) 1 and 2 only
B) 2 and 3 only
C) 1 and 3 only
D) 1, 2 and 3

Q3. (C) 1 and 3 only

Explanation :

• Statement 1 – Incorrect
  • Intermediate level not mandatory for all states:
    • Exception: States with population < 20 lakh (Article 243B).
• Statement 2 – Correct
  • Minimum 1/3 reservation for women:
    • Applies to:
      • Members
      • Chairpersons (all levels).
• Statement 3 – Incorrect
  • Minimum age = 21 years, NOT 25.
  • 25 years applies to Legislatures (MLA/MP).

Q4. The “PESA Act” (Provisions of the Panchayats Extension to the Scheduled Areas Act, 1996) was primarily enacted to:

A) Replace the 73rd Amendment in all tribal areas of India
B) Overrule the authority of the Gram Sabha in Fifth Schedule areas
C) Extend the provisions of Part IX to Scheduled Areas while safeguarding tribal traditions and customs
D) Transfer all powers of the State Legislature to the Zila Parishad in tribal districts

Q4. (C) Extend Part IX to Scheduled Areas with safeguards

Explanation:

• PESA Act, 1996:
  • Enacted under Article 243M(4)(b).
  • Objective:
    • Extend Panchayati Raj to Fifth Schedule areas.
    • Protect:
      • Tribal customs
      • Community resources
      • Traditional governance
  • Key feature:
    • Gram Sabha supremacy in tribal areas.

Q5. Consider the following statements:

Statement I: The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act transformed representative democracy into participatory democracy.
Statement II: The Act mandates that the State Election Commission be responsible for the superintendence of electoral rolls and the conduct of all elections to the Panchayats.

Which of the following is correct in respect of the above statements?
A) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is the correct explanation for Statement I
B) Both Statement I and Statement II are correct and Statement II is not the correct explanation for Statement I
C) Statement I is correct but Statement II is incorrect
D) Statement I is incorrect but Statement II is correct

Q5. (B) Both correct, but II not explanation of I

Explanation:

• Statement I – Correct
  • 73rd Amendment:
    • Institutionalized grassroots democracy.
    • Enabled direct participation via Gram Sabha.
    • → Shift from representative → participatory democracy.
• Statement II – Correct
  • State Election Commission (SEC):
    • Conducts Panchayat elections.
    • Prepares electoral rolls.
    • Constitutional status under Article 243K.
• Why NOT explanation?
  • SEC ensures free and fair elections (procedural aspect).
  • Participatory democracy arises from:
    • Decentralization
    • Gram Sabha empowerment
  • Hence, no causal link.

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