Indian Polity · Chapter 34 of 36

Panchayati Raj and Community Development: BPSC Prelims PYQs

45 previous-year questions on Panchayati Raj and Community Development, asked 1992–2025. Each one opens to its answer and explanation.

1. 1. 65th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2020

   Community Development Program was started on—

   1. AOctober 2, 1952
   2. BOctober 2, 1954
   3. CMay 18, 2016
   4. DOctober 2, 1959
   5. ENone of the above
   Answer and explanation →

2. 2. 65th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2020

   Who decides to conduct Panchayat elections?

   1. ACentral Government
   2. BState Government
   3. CDistrict Judge
   4. DElection Commission
   5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
   Answer and explanation →

3. 3. 63rd BPSC Prelims 2017

   The subject of Panchayati Raj is in –

   1. AConcurrent List
   2. BUnion List
   3. CState List
   4. DResidual List
   Answer and explanation →

4. 4. 39th BPSC Prelims 1994

   Panchayati Raj is a subject of -

   1. AOn the Concurrent List
   2. BOn the Union List
   3. COn the State List
   4. DOn the Residuary Powers List
   Answer and explanation →

5. 5. 47th BPSC Prelims 2005

   The decision to conduct Panchayat Elections is taken by which of the following?

   1. AThe Central Government
   2. BThe State Government
   3. CThe District Judge
   4. DThe Election Commission
   Answer and explanation →

6. 6. 70th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2024

   What is the system of governance in the Panchayat Raj set-up?

   1. AThree tier structure of local self government at the village, block and district levels
   2. BFour tier system of local self government at the village, block, district and in the State levels
   3. CTwo tier system of local self government at the village and block levels
   4. DSingle tier structure of local self government at the village level
   Answer and explanation →

7. 7. 53rd–55th BPSC Prelims 2011

   Name the Committee which was set up by the NDC in 1957 for the reorganization of CDP and NES, which suggested a three-tier system of rural local government-

   1. ABalwant Rai Mehta Committee
   2. BAshok Mehta Committee
   3. CMaharashtra Committee on Democratic Decentralisation
   4. DRural-Urban Relationship Committee
   Answer and explanation →

8. 8. 38th BPSC Prelims 1992

   The Chairman of the Committee set up for the recommendation of Panchayati Raj in India was –

   1. ABalwant Rai Mehta
   2. BB.R. Ambedkar
   3. CJustice Krishna Ayer
   4. DJagjivan Ram
   Answer and explanation →

9. 9. 47th BPSC Prelims 2005

   The committee on whose recommendation, the ‘Panchayati Raj System’ was introduced in the Country, was headed by –

   1. AJivraj Mehta
   2. BBalwant Rai Mehta
   3. CAshok Mehta
   4. DDr. Iqbal Narayan
   Answer and explanation →

10. 10. 56th–59th BPSC Prelims 2014

    The Decentralization System was recommended by -

    1. AC. Rajagopalachari
    2. BJ.B. Kripalani
    3. CBalwant Rai Mehta
    4. DAshok Mehta
    Answer and explanation →

11. 11. 63rd BPSC Prelims 2017

    Which one of the following Committees/Commissions recommended the creation of Nyaya Panchayats?

    1. ABalwant Rai Mehta Committee
    2. BAshok Mehta Committee
    3. CG.V.K. Rao Committee
    4. DSarkaria Commission
    5. ENone of the above / more than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

12. 12. 53rd–55th BPSC Prelims 2011

    Ashok Mehta Committee recommended –

    1. AThree-tier Government of Panchayati Raj
    2. BTwo-tier Government of Panchayati Raj
    3. CSingle-tier Government of Panchayati Raj
    4. DMultiple-tier Government of Panchayati Raj
    Answer and explanation →

13. 13. 43rd BPSC Prelims 1999

    Panchayati Raj is mainly aimed at –

    1. AIncreasing rivalry among villagers
    2. BGiving training to villagers for contesting election
    3. CDecentralization of power to villagers
    4. DNone of these
    Answer and explanation →

14. 14. 71st BPSC Prelims 2025

    What is the main objective of Panchayati Raj?

    1. AIncrease agricultural production
    2. BEmployment generation
    3. CIncrease political awareness among the people
    4. DMake people capable of participating in development administration
    Answer and explanation →

15. 15. 38th BPSC Prelims 1992

    What is the main characteristic of Panchayati Raj System of Government?

    1. AIt has three tiers of Government
    2. BIt aims to give social and economic justice to villages
    3. CSome members of Parliament are as representatives in Zila Parishad
    4. DAll of these are true
    Answer and explanation →

16. 16. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

    The Three-tier system of Panchayati Raj consists of-

    1. AGram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Block Samiti
    2. BGram Panchayat, Block Samiti, Zila Parishad
    3. CBlock Samiti, Zila Parishad, Panchayat Samiti
    4. DGram Panchayat, Kshetra Panchayat Samiti, Zila Parishad
    Answer and explanation →

17. 17. 60th–62nd BPSC Prelims 2016

    A Panchayat Samiti at the block level is –

    1. AAn advisory body
    2. BAn administrative authority
    3. CAn advisory committee
    4. DA supervisory authority
    Answer and explanation →

18. 18. 48th–52nd BPSC Prelims 2008

    A Panchayat Samiti at the block level in India is only a/an

    1. AAdvisory Body
    2. BConsultative Committee
    3. CCoordinating and Supervisory Authority
    4. DAdministrative Authority
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

19. 19. 66th BPSC Prelims 2020

    Which Article gives the list of 29 functions to be performed by the Panchayati Raj Institutions?

    1. AArticle 243(H)
    2. BArticle 243
    3. CArticle 243(F)
    4. DArticle 243(G)
    5. ENone of the above / More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

20. 20. 65th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2020

    On the basis of which constitutional amendment, Panchayati Raj was given constitutional status?

    1. A74th Constitutional Amendment
    2. B73rd Constitutional Amendment
    3. C72nd Constitutional Amendment
    4. D71st Constitutional Amendment
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

21. 21. BPSC CDPO Prelims 2005

    Which amendment to the Indian Constitution provided constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions?

    1. A73rd
    2. B74th
    3. C71st
    4. D72nd
    Answer and explanation →

22. 22. 70th BPSC Prelims 2024

    Under Article “243J” which of the following can make provisions to the maintenance of accounts by Panchayats?

    1. AParliament
    2. BState Legislature
    3. CDistrict Collector
    4. DState Finance Commission
    Answer and explanation →

23. 23. 65th BPSC Prelims 2019

    Which of the following was constituted under the Panchayati Raj system?

    1. AKhap Panchayat
    2. BCaste Panchayat
    3. CGram Panchayat
    4. DJan Panchayat
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

24. 24. 68th BPSC Prelims 2023

    The minimum age for contesting elections to the Panchayati Raj Institutions should be how many years according to the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act?

    1. A18 years
    2. B21 years
    3. C25 years
    4. DMore than one of the above
    5. ENone of the above
    Answer and explanation →

25. 25. 42nd BPSC Prelims 1997

    For successful functioning, Panchayati Raj needs full co-operation of-

    1. ALocal People
    2. BCentral Government
    3. CBureaucrats
    4. DPoliticians
    Answer and explanation →

26. 26. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

    Panchayati Raj in India represents –

    1. ADecentralisation of powers
    2. BParticipation of the people
    3. CCommunity development
    4. DAll of these
    Answer and explanation →

27. 27. 43rd BPSC Prelims 1999

    Panchayati Raj is organized as a unit of Self-Government under –

    1. AFundamental Rights of Indian Constitution
    2. BThe Preamble of the Indian Constitution
    3. CDirective Principles of State Policy
    4. D73rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution
    Answer and explanation →

28. 28. 66th BPSC Prelims 2020

    Which one of the following is not the characteristic of decentralization?

    1. AAutonomy
    2. BPeople's participation
    3. CTo instill non-confidence among local communities
    4. DTo empower local communities
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

29. 29. 47th BPSC Prelims 2005

    The Panchayati Raj System was first started in India in the State of Rajasthan and ..................

    1. AHaryana
    2. BGujarat
    3. CUttar Pradesh
    4. DAndhra Pradesh
    Answer and explanation →

30. 30. 43rd BPSC Prelims 1999

    Panchayati Raj was first Introduced in–

    1. AAndhra Pradesh
    2. BUttar Pradesh
    3. CHimachal Pradesh
    4. DRajasthan
    Answer and explanation →

31. 31. 68th BPSC Prelims 2023

    Consider the following statements—

    After the 73rd Amendment, decentralization was carried out of—

    • 1. Decision-making powers
    • 2. The entire system
    • 3. Judicial powers
    • 4. Administrative powers

    Which of the above statements are correct?

    1. AOnly 2, 3 and 4
    2. BOnly 1, 2 and 3
    3. COnly 1, 2 and 4
    4. DMore than one of the above
    5. ENone of the above
    Answer and explanation →

32. 32. 67th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2022

    Which State does not have Panchayat system?

    1. ANagaland
    2. BMizoram
    3. CMeghalaya
    4. DKerala
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

33. 33. 65th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2020

    Which political institution in India has reserved seats for women?

    1. APanchayati Raj
    2. BState Legislative Assembly
    3. CRajya Sabha
    4. DLok Sabha
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

34. 34. 63rd BPSC Prelims 2017

    50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions is legalized in certain States such as:

    • I. Bihar
    • II. Uttarakhand
    • III. Madhya Pradesh
    • IV. Himachal Pradesh
    1. AOnly III
    2. BOnly II and III
    3. CII, III and IV
    4. DI, II, III and IV
    5. ENone of the above / more than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

35. 35. 53rd–55th BPSC Prelims 2011

    Which State Governments have provided 50 percent reservation for women in local bodies up to 2010?

    1. ABihar, Uttar Pradesh, Rajasthan
    2. BBihar, Madhya Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh
    3. CBihar, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala
    4. DBihar, Himachal Pradesh, Uttar Pradesh
    Answer and explanation →

36. 36. 66th BPSC Prelims 2020

    The legislative origins of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act can be traced back to which Constitutional Amendment Bill?

    1. A61st Constitutional Amendment Bill
    2. B62nd Constitutional Amendment Bill
    3. C63rd Constitutional Amendment Bill
    4. D64th Constitutional Amendment Bill
    5. ENone of the above / More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

37. 37. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

    Which Constitutional Amendment granted Constitutional Status to Panchayati Raj Institutions?

    1. A73rd Amendment
    2. B71st Amendment
    3. C74th Amendment
    4. DNone of these
    Answer and explanation →

38. 38. 45th BPSC Prelims 2001

    73rd Amendment of the Constitution is related to -

    1. AImpeachment of the president
    2. BThe appointment of the election commission
    3. CReservation of seats in educational institutions
    4. DPanchayati Raj System
    Answer and explanation →

39. 39. 68th BPSC Prelims 2023

    At what level does a Panchayat Samiti operate a Panchayati Raj structure?

    1. ABlock-level body
    2. BDistrict level
    3. CGram Panchayat level
    4. DMore than one of the above
    5. ENone of the above
    Answer and explanation →

40. 40. 44th BPSC Prelims 2000

    Which is not among the powers of Panchayati Raj Institutions in India?

    1. AImplementation of Land Reforms
    2. BJudicial Review
    3. CImplementation of Poverty Alleviation Programmes
    4. DNone of these
    Answer and explanation →

41. 41. 67th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2022

    To review the financial position of Panchayats, the State Government constitutes every five years a/an –

    1. AFinance commission
    2. BFinance committee
    3. CAdvisory commission
    4. DAdvisory committee
    5. ENone of the above/More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →

42. 42. 71st BPSC Prelims 2025

    Who is empowered to review financial position of the Panchayats?

    1. AChairman of Block Committee
    2. BChief Minister
    3. CChairman of District Council
    4. DFinance Commission constituted by the Governor
    Answer and explanation →

43. 43. 63rd BPSC Prelims 2017

    Which of the following functions does not fall under the jurisdiction of local self-government?

    1. APublic health
    2. BSanitation
    3. CPublic utility service
    4. DMaintaining public discipline
    5. ENone of the above
    Answer and explanation →

44. 44. 68th BPSC Prelims 2023

    Which one of the following was established as the first programme of community development?

    1. ACooperation Movement
    2. BNational Extension Service
    3. CIntegrated Rural Development Programme
    4. DMore than one of the above
    5. ENone of the above
    Answer and explanation →

45. 45. 66th BPSC Prelims Re-exam 2020

    Match List-I with List-II:

    List-I (Panchayati Raj Committees)	List-II (Years)
    a. C.H. Hanumantha Rao	1. 1985
    b. G.V.K. Rao	2. 1986
    c. Ashok Mehta	3. 1984
    d. L.M. Singhvi	4. 1957
    e. Balwant Rai Mehta	5. 1978

    Select the correct answer using the codes given below (in the order a b c d e):

    1. A4 5 1 3 2
    2. B2 4 1 3 5
    3. C5 3 2 4 1
    4. D3 1 5 2 4
    5. ENone of the above / More than one of the above
    Answer and explanation →