Question 1

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act mandates reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in Panchayats. What is the minimum percentage of seats reserved for SCs and STs combined, as per the amendment?

Accepted Answer

Article 243D(4) of the Indian Constitution (inserted by the 73rd Amendment, 1992) mandates that seats shall be reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in every Panchayat in proportion to their population in that Panchayat area. Additionally, Article 243D(3) mandates that not less than one-third of the total number of seats shall be reserved for women.

Question 2

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which made panchayati raj a constitutional body, was passed in which year?

Accepted Answer

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act was passed in 1992 and came into effect on April 24, 1993. This landmark amendment added Part IXA to the Constitution, providing constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions and making them mandatory across all states.

Question 3

Under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, what is the minimum percentage of seats reserved for women in Panchayats?

Accepted Answer

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment mandates a minimum of one-third (33.33%) of seats in all panchayats to be reserved for women. Additionally, one-third of the positions of Panchayat Pradhan (chairperson) must also be reserved for women, though this varies by state implementation.

Question 4

Which of the following is NOT a function of a Village Panchayat as per the 73rd Constitutional Amendment?

Accepted Answer

The 73rd Amendment specifies that panchayats have powers and duties relating to matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution, which includes 29 subjects like agriculture, water management, health, education, etc. However, subjects like defense, foreign affairs, and currency are NOT panchayat functions—these are Union/State matters.

Question 5

The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, which pertains to urban local bodies, was passed in which year?

Accepted Answer

The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act was passed in 1992 (same year as 73rd Amendment) and came into effect on June 1, 1993. It provided constitutional status to Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, and other urban local bodies, adding Part IXB to the Constitution.

Question 6

Which article of the Indian Constitution provides for the Right to Constitutional Remedies, enabling citizens to approach the Supreme Court for enforcement of Fundamental Rights?

Accepted Answer

Article 32 of the Indian Constitution grants the right to move the Supreme Court for the enforcement of Fundamental Rights. It is considered the 'heart and soul' of the Constitution by Dr. B.R. Ambedkar.

Question 7

Under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, what is the maximum tenure of a Gram Panchayat?

Accepted Answer

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 introduced the constitutional framework for Panchayati Raj institutions. It mandates that the tenure of a Gram Panchayat shall be 5 years from the date of its constitution, unless dissolved earlier.

Question 8

Which article of the Indian Constitution deals with the composition and powers of the Gram Sabha?

Accepted Answer

Article 243 (inserted by the 73rd Amendment) specifically deals with the Gram Sabha. It defines the Gram Sabha as a body consisting of all adult members registered as voters in the village and grants it significant powers in local governance.

Question 9

Which constitutional amendment introduced the 73rd Amendment Act that established the constitutional framework for Panchayati Raj institutions?

Accepted Answer

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act was passed in 1992 and came into effect on April 24, 1993. It added Part IXA to the Constitution, establishing a three-tier system of Panchayati Raj (Village, Block, and District levels).

Question 10

Under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which of the following is the correct composition of a Gram Panchayat?

Accepted Answer

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 introduced Part IX-A to the Constitution, establishing the three-tier Panchayati Raj system. A Gram Panchayat consists of members elected from territorial constituencies (wards) within the village, plus the Sarpanch (elected head). The exact number of members varies by state but is typically 5 to 15 members depending on population. The key constitutional requirement is that seats must be reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in proportion to their population, and at least one-third of seats must be reserved for women (amended by 73rd Amendment).

Question 11

Which article of the Indian Constitution provides for the establishment of Panchayats at the village level?

Accepted Answer

Article 40 of the Indian Constitution, under the Directive Principles of State Policy (Part IV), directs the State to organize village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government. This was later strengthened by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which made panchayats a constitutional body with mandatory elections and reserved seats.

Question 12

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 introduced mandatory elections and reserved seats in Panchayats. What is the minimum age for contesting Panchayat elections as per this amendment?

Accepted Answer

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 (which added Articles 243–243O to the Constitution) stipulates that a person must be at least 21 years of age to be eligible to contest elections to a Panchayat. This is specified in Article 243E(2) for Panchayat members and Article 243F for Panchayat Chairpersons.

Question 13

Under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, what is the maximum tenure of a Panchayat before it must be dissolved and fresh elections held?

Accepted Answer

Article 243E(4) of the Indian Constitution (inserted by the 73rd Amendment, 1992) stipulates that every Panchayat shall continue for a term of five years from the date of its constitution, unless sooner dissolved. After five years, the Panchayat is automatically dissolved and fresh elections must be held within a specified timeframe.

Question 14

Which constitutional amendment introduced the 74th Amendment Act, which deals with Municipal Corporations and Urban Local Bodies?

Accepted Answer

The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act was passed in 1992 (the same year as the 73rd Amendment). It introduced Articles 243P–243ZG to the Constitution, establishing a constitutional framework for Municipal Corporations, Municipalities, and other urban local bodies. This amendment made urban local governance a constitutional obligation with mandatory elections, reserved seats, and fixed tenures.

Question 15

Which article of the Indian Constitution provides for the constitutional status of Panchayati Raj institutions and mandates their formation at village, intermediate, and district levels?

Accepted Answer

Article 243 (inserted by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992) provides the constitutional framework for Panchayati Raj. It establishes a three-tier system of local self-government at village, block (intermediate), and district levels. This amendment fundamentally changed the status of panchayats from mere statutory bodies to constitutional bodies with defined powers and functions.

Question 16

Which constitutional amendment introduced the 73rd Amendment Act, establishing the constitutional framework for Panchayati Raj in India?

Accepted Answer

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act was passed in 1992 and came into effect on April 24, 1993. It introduced Part IX of the Constitution, establishing a constitutional framework for Panchayati Raj with three-tier governance at village, block, and district levels.

Question 17

According to Article 243D of the Indian Constitution, what is the maximum term of office for a Panchayat?

Accepted Answer

Article 243D specifies that a Panchayat shall be constituted for a term of five years from the date of its constitution. This five-year term applies uniformly to all three tiers of Panchayati Raj (village, block, and district).

Question 18

Under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, what is the mandatory tenure period for which members of a Panchayat are elected?

Accepted Answer

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 (Article 243E) mandates that the term of office for members of a Panchayat shall be 5 years from the date of its constitution. This uniform tenure ensures stability and regular democratic cycles in local governance.

Question 19

Which constitutional amendment introduced the 74th Amendment Act, establishing constitutional status for Urban Local Bodies (Municipalities)?

Accepted Answer

The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 (which came into effect on 1 June 1993) provided constitutional status to Urban Local Bodies or Municipalities. It created a three-tier system in metropolitan areas (corporation, zone, ward) and established the framework for municipal governance similar to the 73rd Amendment for rural areas.

Question 20

Under Article 243D of the Constitution, what is the minimum percentage of seats reserved for women in Panchayats?

Accepted Answer

Article 243D (inserted by the 73rd Amendment) mandates that not less than one-third (33.33%) of the total number of seats in every Panchayat shall be reserved for women. This provision was further enhanced by the 106th Constitutional Amendment Act, 2023, which increased the reservation to 50% in certain cases, but the constitutional minimum remains one-third.

AFCAT Local Bodies & Panchayati Raj

Local Bodies & Panchayati Raj — Practice Questions