National Panchayati Raj Day: 30 MCQs & 10 FAQs to Test Your Knowledge

National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated annually on April 24 in India to commemorate the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which came into effect on April 24, 1993. This amendment institutionalized the Panchayati Raj system, empowering rural local self-governance through a three-tier structure: Gram Panchayat (village level), Panchayat Samiti (block level), and Zila Parishad (district level). The day highlights the importance of decentralized governance, community participation, and rural development. The following 30 MCQs and 10 FAQs provide a comprehensive understanding of the topic, suitable for educational purposes, competitive exams, and general awareness.

Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs)

1. When is National Panchayati Raj Day celebrated in India?
   a) April 24
   b) October 2
   c) August 15
   d) January 26
   Answer: a) April 24
   Explanation: National Panchayati Raj Day is celebrated on April 24 to mark the enactment of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, effective from April 24, 1993.
2. Who declared the first National Panchayati Raj Day?
   a) Jawaharlal Nehru
   b) Manmohan Singh
   c) Narendra Modi
   d) P.V. Narasimha Rao
   Answer: b) Manmohan Singh
   Explanation: Former Prime Minister Manmohan Singh declared the first National Panchayati Raj Day on April 24, 2010.
3. Which Constitutional Amendment institutionalized the Panchayati Raj system?
   a) 71st Amendment
   b) 72nd Amendment
   c) 73rd Amendment
   d) 74th Amendment
   Answer: c) 73rd Amendment
   Explanation: The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, provided constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
4. What is the basic unit of the Panchayati Raj system?
   a) Zila Parishad
   b) Panchayat Samiti
   c) Gram Sabha
   d) Gram Panchayat
   Answer: c) Gram Sabha
   Explanation: The Gram Sabha, comprising all registered voters in a village, is the foundation of the Panchayati Raj system.
5. Which committee recommended the three-tier Panchayati Raj system?
   a) Ashok Mehta Committee
   b) Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
   c) G.V.K. Rao Committee
   d) L.M. Singhvi Committee
   Answer: b) Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
   Explanation: The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957) recommended a three-tier structure: Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad.
6. Which state was the first to implement the Panchayati Raj system after independence?
   a) Andhra Pradesh
   b) Rajasthan
   c) Gujarat
   d) Maharashtra
   Answer: b) Rajasthan
   Explanation: Rajasthan implemented the Panchayati Raj system on October 2, 1959, in Nagaur district, inaugurated by Jawaharlal Nehru.
7. What is the tenure of a Gram Panchayat?
   a) 3 years
   b) 4 years
   c) 5 years
   d) 6 years
   Answer: c) 5 years
   Explanation: The 73rd Amendment mandates a five-year term for elected Panchayati Raj bodies.
8. Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the formation of Gram Sabha?
   a) Article 243A
   b) Article 243B
   c) Article 243C
   d) Article 243D
   Answer: a) Article 243A
   Explanation: Article 243A provides for the Gram Sabha as a body of registered voters in a village.
9. What percentage of seats in Panchayats are reserved for women?
   a) One-fourth
   b) One-third
   c) One-half
   d) Two-thirds
   Answer: b) One-third
   Explanation: The 73rd Amendment mandates at least one-third reservation for women in Panchayat seats and chairperson positions.
10. Which ministry organizes National Panchayati Raj Day?
    a) Ministry of Rural Development
    b) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
    c) Ministry of Home Affairs
    d) Ministry of Agriculture
    Answer: b) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
    Explanation: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj, established in 2004, organizes the celebrations and awards for National Panchayati Raj Day.
11. Which scheme was launched on National Panchayati Raj Day 2021?
    a) MGNREGA
    b) SWAMITVA
    c) eGramSwaraj
    d) PM Awas Yojana
    Answer: b) SWAMITVA
    Explanation: The SWAMITVA scheme, involving drone-based mapping of rural land, was launched on April 24, 2021, to distribute e-property cards.
12. What is the role of the Zila Parishad in the Panchayati Raj system?
    a) Village-level governance
    b) Block-level coordination
    c) District-level planning
    d) State-level oversight
    Answer: c) District-level planning
    Explanation: The Zila Parishad is the apex body at the district level, responsible for development planning and resource allocation.
13. Who elects the Sarpanch of a Gram Panchayat?
    a) Gram Sabha
    b) Panchayat Samiti
    c) Zila Parishad
    d) State Government
    Answer: a) Gram Sabha
    Explanation: The Gram Sabha elects the Sarpanch, who heads the Gram Panchayat.
14. Which article empowers Panchayats to impose taxes?
    a) Article 243G
    b) Article 243H
    c) Article 243I
    d) Article 243J
    Answer: b) Article 243H
    Explanation: Article 243H grants Panchayats the power to levy taxes and manage funds.
15. When was the Ministry of Panchayati Raj established?
    a) 1992
    b) 1993
    c) 2004
    d) 2010
    Answer: c) 2004
    Explanation: The Ministry of Panchayati Raj was constituted on May 27, 2004, to oversee PRIs.
16. Which of the following is NOT a tier of the Panchayati Raj system?
    a) Gram Panchayat
    b) Panchayat Samiti
    c) Zila Parishad
    d) Village Committee
    Answer: d) Village Committee
    Explanation: The three tiers are Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad; Village Committee is not a formal tier.
17. Who is considered the father of Panchayati Raj in India?
    a) Lord Ripon
    b) Balwant Rai Mehta
    c) Ashok Mehta
    d) Jawaharlal Nehru
    Answer: b) Balwant Rai Mehta
    Explanation: Balwant Rai Mehta’s committee laid the foundation for the modern Panchayati Raj system.
18. Which schedule of the Constitution lists subjects under Panchayati Raj?
    a) Ninth Schedule
    b) Tenth Schedule
    c) Eleventh Schedule
    d) Twelfth Schedule
    Answer: c) Eleventh Schedule
    Explanation: The Eleventh Schedule lists 29 subjects under the purview of Panchayats.
19. What is the primary objective of National Panchayati Raj Day?
    a) Celebrate urban governance
    b) Promote decentralized rural governance
    c) Honor state governments
    d) Recognize judicial reforms
    Answer: b) Promote decentralized rural governance
    Explanation: The day aims to recognize and strengthen decentralized governance in rural areas.
20. Which Prime Minister was in office during the 73rd Amendment?
    a) Rajiv Gandhi
    b) P.V. Narasimha Rao
    c) V.P. Singh
    d) Indira Gandhi
    Answer: b) P.V. Narasimha Rao
    Explanation: The 73rd Amendment was passed in 1992 under P.V. Narasimha Rao’s government.
21. What is eGramSwaraj?
    a) A rural employment scheme
    b) A web-based portal for PRIs
    c) A health initiative
    d) An education program
    Answer: b) A web-based portal for PRIs
    Explanation: eGramSwaraj is a portal to strengthen e-governance in Panchayati Raj Institutions.
22. Which article provides for reservation of seats for SC/STs in Panchayats?
    a) Article 243A
    b) Article 243B
    c) Article 243C
    d) Article 243D
    Answer: d) Article 243D
    Explanation: Article 243D mandates reservation for Scheduled Castes and Tribes in Panchayats.
23. Who conducts Panchayat elections?
    a) Election Commission of India
    b) State Election Commission
    c) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
    d) District Magistrate
    Answer: b) State Election Commission
    Explanation: Each state has a State Election Commission to conduct Panchayat elections.
24. How many Panchayats are there in India approximately?
    a) 1.5 lakh
    b) 2.5 lakh
    c) 3.5 lakh
    d) 4.5 lakh
    Answer: b) 2.5 lakh
    Explanation: There are approximately 2.54 lakh Panchayats, including 2.47 lakh Gram Panchayats.
25. Which program is associated with MGNREGA?
    a) Urban development
    b) Rural employment
    c) Women’s education
    d) Child welfare
    Answer: b) Rural employment
    Explanation: MGNREGA provides 100 days of wage employment in rural areas, often linked to Panchayat activities.
26. What is the significance of Article 40 in the context of Panchayati Raj?
    a) Fundamental Rights
    b) Directive Principles of State Policy
    c) Emergency Provisions
    d) Financial Provisions
    Answer: b) Directive Principles of State Policy
    Explanation: Article 40 encourages the state to organize village Panchayats for self-governance.
27. Which committee suggested a two-tier Panchayati Raj system?
    a) Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
    b) Ashok Mehta Committee
    c) G.V.K. Rao Committee
    d) L.M. Singhvi Committee
    Answer: b) Ashok Mehta Committee
    Explanation: The Ashok Mehta Committee (1977) proposed a two-tier system with Mandal Panchayats and Zila Parishad.
28. What does the SWAMITVA scheme aim to achieve?
    a) Provide free education
    b) Map rural land holdings
    c) Improve urban infrastructure
    d) Promote tourism
    Answer: b) Map rural land holdings
    Explanation: SWAMITVA uses drone technology to map rural land and provide property cards.
29. Which of the following is a key principle of the Panchayati Raj system?
    a) Centralization of power
    b) Decentralization of power
    c) Judicial supremacy
    d) Military governance
    Answer: b) Decentralization of power
    Explanation: The system promotes decentralization to empower local governance.
30. How many subjects are listed in the Eleventh Schedule for Panchayats?
    a) 25
    b) 27
    c) 29
    d) 31
    Answer: c) 29
    Explanation: The Eleventh Schedule lists 29 subjects, such as agriculture and rural development, for Panchayats.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is National Panchayati Raj Day, and why is it celebrated?
   Answer: National Panchayati Raj Day is observed on April 24 to commemorate the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, effective from April 24, 1993. It celebrates the institutionalization of the Panchayati Raj system, which promotes decentralized rural governance and community participation.
   Explanation: The day was first declared in 2010 by then-Prime Minister Manmohan Singh to recognize the role of Panchayats in rural development and grassroots democracy. It also serves as an occasion to award high-performing Panchayats and launch initiatives like SWAMITVA.
2. What is the significance of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act?
   Answer: The 73rd Amendment, passed in 1992, gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions, establishing a three-tier system and mandating reservations for women and SC/STs.
   Explanation: This amendment added Part IX (Articles 243 to 243O) and the Eleventh Schedule to the Constitution, ensuring democratic decentralization and empowering PRIs to handle rural development tasks.
3. What are the three tiers of the Panchayati Raj system?
   Answer: The three tiers are Gram Panchayat (village level), Panchayat Samiti (block level), and Zila Parishad (district level).
   Explanation: These tiers ensure governance at different administrative levels, with Gram Sabha as the foundational body for village-level decision-making. The structure was recommended by the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee.
4. Who is the head of the Gram Panchayat?
   Answer: The Sarpanch is the head of the Gram Panchayat, elected by the Gram Sabha.
   Explanation: The Sarpanch leads the Gram Panchayat, facilitates meetings, and oversees local development activities, supported by elected Ward Panchs.
5. What is the role of the Gram Sabha in the Panchayati Raj system?
   Answer: The Gram Sabha is a body of all registered voters in a village, responsible for electing the Sarpanch, approving development plans, and monitoring Panchayat activities.
   Explanation: It ensures direct public participation in governance, as mandated by Article 243A, making it the cornerstone of grassroots democracy.
6. Why is one-third of Panchayat seats reserved for women?
   Answer: To promote gender equality and empower women in rural governance, as mandated by Article 243D of the 73rd Amendment.
   Explanation: This reservation ensures women’s representation in decision-making, addressing historical gender disparities in rural leadership. Some states have increased this to 50%.
7. What is the SWAMITVA scheme launched on National Panchayati Raj Day?
   Answer: SWAMITVA is a scheme to map rural land holdings using drone technology and provide property cards to villagers.
   Explanation: Launched on April 24, 2021, it aims to clarify land ownership, reduce disputes, and enable access to credit and development schemes, strengthening rural economies.
8. How does the Panchayati Raj system promote decentralization?
   Answer: It devolves power to local bodies, allowing them to plan and implement development programs tailored to local needs.
   Explanation: The 73rd Amendment and Eleventh Schedule empower Panchayats to handle 29 subjects, fostering local self-governance and reducing dependence on centralized authorities.
9. What is the role of the State Election Commission in Panchayati Raj?
   Answer: The State Election Commission conducts elections for Panchayati Raj Institutions, ensuring free and fair polls every five years.
   Explanation: As per Article 243K, each state has an independent SEC to oversee Panchayat elections, maintaining democratic integrity.
10. How does the Ministry of Panchayati Raj support PRIs?
    Answer: The Ministry provides policy support, funding, and initiatives like eGramSwaraj and National Panchayat Awards to strengthen PRIs.
    Explanation: Established in 2004, the Ministry promotes e-governance, capacity building, and recognition of exemplary Panchayats, enhancing their role in rural development.