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Local Governments – Class 11 Political Science notes, important questions and MCQs

NCERT Class 11 Political Science, chapter 8. Notes, key terms, important questions with answers and MCQs.

हिंदी में पढ़ें

Chapter overview

Local government is government at the village and district level, closest to the people. It allows people to participate directly in decisions that affect their daily lives. The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments of 1992, which came into force in 1993, gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions in rural areas and municipalities in urban areas.

Background

  • The Community Development Programme (1952) and the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957) recommended a three-tier system of local government.
  • Article 40 among the Directive Principles asks the state to organise village panchayats.
  • Before 1992, local bodies were weak, elections were irregular and they lacked funds.

73rd Amendment (Panchayati Raj)

  • Three-tier structure: gram panchayat at the village level, panchayat samiti (block or intermediate level) and zila parishad (district level); states with population below 20 lakh may skip the middle tier.
  • The gram sabha, consisting of all adult voters of a village, is the base.
  • Elections every five years, conducted by a State Election Commission; one-third of seats and chairperson posts reserved for women, and reservation for SC and ST in proportion to their population.
  • A State Finance Commission reviews finances; the Eleventh Schedule lists 29 subjects that may be transferred to panchayats.

74th Amendment (urban local bodies)

  • Municipal corporations for large cities, municipal councils for smaller towns and nagar panchayats for areas in transition from rural to urban.
  • Similar provisions on elections, reservation for women, SC and ST, and State Finance Commissions apply.
  • The Twelfth Schedule lists 18 subjects for municipalities; challenges include limited funds, dependence on state governments and weak capacity.

Key terms

Panchayati Raj
the system of rural local self-government through elected panchayats
Gram sabha
the assembly of all adult voters of a village
State Election Commission
the body that conducts elections to local bodies in a state
Eleventh Schedule
the list of 29 subjects that may be transferred to panchayats
Nagar panchayat
an urban local body for an area in transition from rural to urban

Important questions with answers

What is the gram sabha?2 marks

The gram sabha is the assembly of all adult persons registered as voters in a village. It is the foundation of Panchayati Raj; it reviews the work of the gram panchayat, approves plans and helps select beneficiaries of government schemes, ensuring direct participation of the people.

State the main provisions of the 74th Amendment.3 marks

The 74th Amendment provides for three types of urban local bodies: municipal corporations, municipal councils and nagar panchayats. It requires regular elections every five years by the State Election Commission, reserves one-third of seats for women and seats for SC and ST, creates State Finance Commissions to review municipal finances, and lists 18 subjects in the Twelfth Schedule.

Explain the main provisions of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment and its significance.5 marks

The 73rd Amendment, passed in 1992 and in force from 1993, gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions. It provides a three-tier structure: gram panchayats at the village level, panchayat samitis at the intermediate or block level and zila parishads at the district level, though small states may skip the middle tier. The gram sabha of all adult voters is the base. Elections must be held every five years, and if a body is dissolved, elections must be held within six months; they are conducted by an independent State Election Commission. One-third of seats and chairperson posts are reserved for women, and seats are reserved for SC and ST in proportion to their population; states may also reserve seats for backward classes. A State Finance Commission reviews panchayat finances every five years, and the Eleventh Schedule lists 29 subjects, such as agriculture, drinking water and primary education, that states may transfer to panchayats. The amendment is significant because it deepened democracy by giving people a direct say in local affairs, brought regular elections, and empowered women and weaker sections, with lakhs of women elected to local bodies. Its success, however, depends on states devolving adequate funds, functions and functionaries.

Quick revision

  • Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957).
  • 73rd and 74th Amendments (1992), in force 1993.
  • Three tiers; gram sabha; one-third seats for women.
  • State Election Commission; State Finance Commission; 29 and 18 subjects.

Exam tips

  • Draw the three tiers of Panchayati Raj with their levels.
  • Remember: 73rd Amendment = rural (Part IX); 74th Amendment = urban (Part IXA).

Practice MCQs

  1. The 73rd Amendment deals with

    1. municipalities
    2. fundamental duties
    3. Panchayati Raj
    4. emergency
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) Panchayati Raj. It covers rural local government.

  2. The assembly of all adult voters of a village is the

    1. gram sabha
    2. gram panchayat
    3. zila parishad
    4. panchayat samiti
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) gram sabha. It is the base of Panchayati Raj.

  3. The proportion of seats reserved for women in local bodies under the Constitution is at least

    1. one-third
    2. one-fourth
    3. one-half
    4. one-tenth
    Show answer

    Answer: (a) one-third. Many states provide 50 per cent.

  4. The intermediate level of Panchayati Raj is the

    1. gram panchayat
    2. panchayat samiti
    3. zila parishad
    4. municipal council
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) panchayat samiti. It works at the block level.

  5. Elections to local bodies are conducted by the

    1. Election Commission of India
    2. Governor
    3. District Collector
    4. State Election Commission
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) State Election Commission. Each state has one.

  6. The committee that recommended three-tier Panchayati Raj in 1957 was headed by

    1. Ashok Mehta
    2. L.M. Singhvi
    3. Balwant Rai Mehta
    4. B.R. Ambedkar
    Show answer

    Answer: (c) Balwant Rai Mehta. It followed the Community Development Programme.

  7. The Eleventh Schedule lists

    1. 18 subjects for municipalities
    2. 12 nominated members
    3. 52 concurrent subjects
    4. 29 subjects for panchayats
    Show answer

    Answer: (d) 29 subjects for panchayats. Municipalities have 18 subjects in the Twelfth Schedule.

  8. Which remains a major weakness of local bodies even after the amendments

    1. no elections
    2. dependence on state governments for funds and powers
    3. no reservation for women
    4. no constitutional status
    Show answer

    Answer: (b) dependence on state governments for funds and powers. Devolution of finances is limited.

All chapters of Class 11 Political Science

Written by Kundali IQ from standard, well-established facts to help with revision. This is not an official NCERT publication; always read your textbook too.