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Q85 (IAS/2015) Polity & Governance โ€บ Local Government โ€บ Panchayati Raj system Official Key

The fundamental object of Panchayati Raj system is to ensure which among the following? 1. People's participation in development 2. Political accountability 3. Democratic decentralization 4. Financial mobilization Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Result
Your answer: โ€”  ยท  Correct: C
Explanation

The Panchayat system brings governance closer to people, enabling their active participation in decision-making processes, and is fundamentally a form of self-government[1]. The scheme of 'democratic decentralization' was recommended by the Balwantrai Mehta Committee, which ultimately came to be known as Panchayati Raj[2], establishing democratic decentralization as a core objective.

Democracy in the Panchayati Raj system works both through direct participation of people and through their elected representatives, giving people in rural areas a measure of self-governance to manage their issues and collaborate in development plans[3]. This inherently ensures political accountability through elected representation. The fundamental objectives of Panchayati Raj include people's participation in development, political accountability, democratic[4] decentralization, and financial mobilization.

Therefore, all four elementsโ€”people's participation in development, political accountability, democratic decentralization, and financial mobilizationโ€”are fundamental objectives of the Panchayati Raj system, making option D the correct answer.

Sources
  1. [1] Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 11: Grassroots Democracy โ€” Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas > Panchayati Raj System > p. 164
  2. [2] Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Balwant rai Mehta Committee > p. 383
  3. [3] Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 11: Grassroots Democracy โ€” Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas > Before we move on ... > p. 171
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Q. The fundamental object of Panchayati Raj system is to ensure which among the following? 1. People's participation in development 2. Poliโ€ฆ
At a glance
Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 7.5/10 ยท 2.5/10

This is a classic 'Best vs. Good' trap. While accountability and finance are desirable features, the *fundamental* historical objectives (stemming from the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee, 1957) were strictly 'Democratic Decentralization' and 'People's Participation'. The question tests your ability to distinguish between the core philosophy of a system and its functional attributes.

How this question is built

This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.

Statement 1
Is people's participation in development a fundamental objective of the Panchayati Raj system?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 11: Grassroots Democracy โ€” Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas > Panchayati Raj System > p. 164
Presence: 5/5
โ€œLike every village in India, the Lakshmanpur people have a system of local government called 'Panchayat', which refers to a village council. Panchayats bring governance closer to the people, making it possible for them to actively participate in decision-making processes. That is why the Panchayat system, also known as Panchayati Raj, is a form of self-government. Panchayats play a vital role in addressing local issues, promoting development and ensuring that the benefits of government schemes reach the grassroots level.โ€
Why this source?
  • Explicitly states Panchayats bring governance closer and make it possible for people to actively participate in decision-making.
  • Links Panchayats to promoting development and ensuring benefits of schemes reach the grassroots.
Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 11: Grassroots Democracy โ€” Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas > Before we move on ... > p. 171
Presence: 5/5
โ€œโ€ข โ†’ The local government in rural areas is organised into a three-tier system.โ€ข โ†’ Democracy in the Panchayati Raj system works both through direct participation of people and through their elected representatives.โ€ข โ†’ The Panchayati Raj institutions give people in rural areas a measure of self-governance, so they may manage their issues and collaborate in development plans.โ€
Why this source?
  • Says democracy in Panchayati Raj works through direct participation and elected representatives.
  • States Panchayati Raj institutions give people self-governance to manage issues and collaborate in development plans.
Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 8: LOCAL GOVERNMENTS > Local Governments in Independent India > p. 181
Presence: 4/5
โ€œLocal governments got a fillip after the 73rd and 74th Constitution Amendment Acts. But even before that, some efforts in the direction of developing local government bodies had already taken place. First in the line was the Community Development Programme in 1952, which sought to promote people's participation in local development in a range of activities. In this background, a three-tier Panchayati Raj system of local government was recommended for the rural areas. Some States (like Gujarat, Maharashtra) adopted the system of elected local bodies around 1960. But in many States those local bodies did not have enough powers and functions to look after the local development.โ€
Why this source?
  • Describes the Community Development Programme which sought to promote people's participation in local development.
  • Places the three-tier Panchayati Raj recommendation in the context of promoting local development through participation.
Statement 2
Is political accountability a fundamental objective of the Panchayati Raj system?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 11: Grassroots Democracy โ€” Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas > Before we move on ... > p. 171
Presence: 5/5
โ€œโ€ข โ†’ The local government in rural areas is organised into a three-tier system.โ€ข โ†’ Democracy in the Panchayati Raj system works both through direct participation of people and through their elected representatives.โ€ข โ†’ The Panchayati Raj institutions give people in rural areas a measure of self-governance, so they may manage their issues and collaborate in development plans.โ€
Why this source?
  • States that democracy in the Panchayati Raj works through direct participation and elected representatives โ€” a mechanism that implies representatives are answerable to the people.
  • Emphasises local self-governance and participation which are core to ensuring political responsiveness and oversight.
Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Significance of the Act > p. 388
Presence: 4/5
โ€œThe act gives a constitutional status to the panchayati raj institutions. It has brought them under the purview of the just ible part of the Constitution. In other words, the STATE governments are under constitutional obligation to adopt the new panchayati raj system in accordance with the provisions of the act. Consequently, neither the formation of panchayats nor the holding of elections at regular intervals depend on the will of the state government any more. The provisions of the act can be grouped in to two categories- compulsory and voluntary. The compulsory (mandatory or obligatory) provisions of the act have to be included in the state laws creating the new panchayati raj system.โ€
Why this source?
  • Explains the constitutionalisation of Panchayati Raj and the requirement that elections be held at regular intervals โ€” a formal institutional mechanism for political accountability.
  • Notes that state governments are under obligation to adopt provisions, reducing arbitrariness and strengthening predictable accountability processes.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Ashok Mehta Committee > p. 385
Presence: 4/5
โ€œIn December 1977, the Janata Government appointed a committee on panchayati raj institutions under the chairmanship of Ashok Mehta. It submitted its report in August 1978 and made 132 recommendations to revive and strengthen the declining panchayati raj system in the country. Its main recommendations were: โ€ข 1. The three-tier system of panchayati raj should be replaced by the two-tier system, that is, zila parishad at the district level, and below it, the mandal panchayat consisting of a group of villages with a total population of 15,000 to 20,000. โ€ข 2. A district should be the first point for decentralization under popular supervision below the state level. โ€ข 3.โ€
Why this source?
  • Recommends decentralisation 'under popular supervision', explicitly linking local governance design to oversight by the people.
  • Positions district-level decentralisation as subject to 'popular supervision', highlighting accountability as an intended feature.
Statement 3
Is democratic decentralization a fundamental objective of the Panchayati Raj system?
Origin: Direct from books Fairness: Straightforward Book-answerable
From standard books
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Balwant rai Mehta Committee > p. 383
Presence: 5/5
โ€œIn January 1957, the Government of India appointed a committee to examine the working of the Community Development Programme (1952) and the National Extension Service (1953) and to suggest measures for their better working. The chairman of this committee was Balwantrai G Mehta. The committee submitted its report in November 1957 and recommended the establishment of the scheme of 'democratic decentralization', which ultimately came to be known as Panchayati Raj. The specific recommendations made by it are: โ€ข 1. Establishment of a three-tier panchayati raj systemโ€” gram panchayat at the village level, panchayat samiti at the block level and zila parishad at the district level.โ€
Why this source?
  • Balwantrai Mehta Committee explicitly recommended establishment of the scheme of 'democratic decentralization' which 'ultimately came to be known as Panchayati Raj'.
  • This links democratic decentralization as the foundational idea behind the creation of Panchayati Raj.
Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > C. Y.K. Rao Committee > p. 386
Presence: 4/5
โ€œin the scheme of democratic decentralisation. It stated that "the district is the proper unit for planning and development and the Zilla Parishad should become the principal body for management of all development programmes which can be handled at that level." (ii) The Panchayat Raj institutions at the district and lower levels should be assigned an important role with respect to planning, implementation and monitoring of rural development programmes. (iii) Some of the planning functions at the state level should be transferred to the district level planning units for effective decentralized district planning. (iv) A post of District Development Commissioner should be created.โ€
Why this source?
  • C.Y.K. Rao Committee speaks of planning and management 'in the scheme of democratic decentralisation', assigning Panchayati Raj institutions key roles at district and lower levels.
  • Shows that later committees continued to treat Panchayati Raj within the framework of democratic decentralization.
Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 11: Grassroots Democracy โ€” Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas > Before we move on ... > p. 171
Presence: 4/5
โ€œโ€ข โ†’ The local government in rural areas is organised into a three-tier system.โ€ข โ†’ Democracy in the Panchayati Raj system works both through direct participation of people and through their elected representatives.โ€ข โ†’ The Panchayati Raj institutions give people in rural areas a measure of self-governance, so they may manage their issues and collaborate in development plans.โ€
Why this source?
  • NCERT states democracy in Panchayati Raj works through direct participation and elected representatives, and that these institutions give rural people a measure of self-governance.
  • Supports the idea that Panchayati Raj aims to decentralize democratic power to the grassroots.
Statement 4
Is financial mobilization a fundamental objective of the Panchayati Raj system?
Origin: Web / Current Affairs Fairness: CA heavy Web-answerable

Web source
Presence: 5/5
"(2015). People's participation in development; Political accountability; Democratic decentralization; Financial mobilization."
Why this source?
  • Explicitly lists 'Financial mobilization' alongside other core aims (people's participation, accountability, decentralization), indicating it is an objective.
  • Presents financial mobilization as part of the conceptual framework for strengthening Panchayati Raj institutions.
Web source
Presence: 4/5
"The main recommendations of the committee were: ... 3) Powers of Taxation to the Panchayati Raj bodies."
Why this source?
  • Recommends 'Powers of Taxation to the Panchayati Raj bodies', which directly supports the goal of mobilizing local finances.
  • Recommendation by a committee to grant taxation powers implies financial mobilization is a recognized and important objective.

Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > FINANCES OF PANCHAYATI RAJ > p. 394
Strength: 5/5
โ€œt FINANCES OF PANCHAYATI RAJ The Second Administrative Reforms Commission of India (2005- 2009) has summarized the sources of revenue of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and their financial problems in the following way7: 1. A major portion of Part IX of the Constitution deals with structural empowerment of the PRIs but the realโ€
Why relevant

Explicit section heading and summary reference โ€” the source summarises 'sources of revenue of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and their financial problems', indicating finances are a recognised theme in discussion of PRIs.

How to extend

A student could take this as a rule that PRIs have designated revenue sources and then check whether mobilising those revenues is listed among formal objectives in primary texts (e.g., 73rd Amendment or state acts).

Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Balwant rai Mehta Committee > p. 384
Strength: 4/5
โ€œCouncil in January 1958. The council did not insist on a single rigid pattern and left it to the states to evolve their own patterns suitable to local conditions. But the basic principles and fundamental aspects should be identical throughout the country. Rajasthan was the first state to establish Panchayati Raj. The scheme was inaugurated by the prime minister on October 2, 1959, in Nagaur district. Rajasthan was followed by Andhra Pradesh, which also adopted the system in 1959. Thereafter, most of the states adopted the system. Though most of the states created Panchayati Raj institutions by the mid 1960s, there were differences from one state to another with regard to the number of tiers, relative position of samiti and parishad, their tenure, composition, functions, finances and so on.โ€
Why relevant

Notes that states differed with regard to 'functions, finances and so on' when creating PRIs โ€” linking finances as an integral attribute of PRI design.

How to extend

One could compare state Panchayat Acts or committee reports (Balwant Rai Mehta) to see if financial mobilisation is stated as an objective or a necessary function across states.

Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Panchayati Raj > p. 383
Strength: 4/5
โ€œThe term Panchayati Raj in India signifies the system of rural local self-government. It has been established in all the states of India by the Acts of the state legislatures to build democracy at the grass-root level. It is entrusted ""'ith rural development. It was constitutionalised through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992. In the scheme of division of powers between the Centre and the states in the Indian federal system, the item of 'local Government' is given to the states. Thus, the fifth entry of the State List of the Seventh Schedule to the Constitution of India deals with 'local government'.โ€
Why relevant

Defines Panchayati Raj as rural local selfโ€‘government 'entrusted with rural development' โ€” an objective that typically requires financial resources to implement.

How to extend

Using the common-sense link between development tasks and funding, a student might infer that mobilising funds is necessary and then verify whether mobilization is formalised in PRI objectives or fiscal provisions.

Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 11: Grassroots Democracy โ€” Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas > Panchayati Raj System > p. 165
Strength: 4/5
โ€œAs is clear from the diagram, the Panchayati Raj system works at three levels โ€” from bottom up โ€” the village, the block and the district. This is called a 'three-tier system'. Together, these institutions' responsibilities cover almost all aspects of life in the district, from agriculture, housing, maintenance of roads, management of water resources, education, health care and social welfare to cultural activities.โ€
Why relevant

Lists the broad responsibilities of PRIs (agriculture, roads, water, education, health, welfare) โ€” illustrating scope of functions that create fiscal needs for PRIs.

How to extend

A student could map these responsibilities to likely budgetary requirements and then examine whether PRI mandates include raising revenues or relying on transfers/grants, to judge whether mobilization is a fundamental aim.

Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Significance of the Act > p. 388
Strength: 3/5
โ€œThe act gives a constitutional status to the panchayati raj institutions. It has brought them under the purview of the just ible part of the Constitution. In other words, the STATE governments are under constitutional obligation to adopt the new panchayati raj system in accordance with the provisions of the act. Consequently, neither the formation of panchayats nor the holding of elections at regular intervals depend on the will of the state government any more. The provisions of the act can be grouped in to two categories- compulsory and voluntary. The compulsory (mandatory or obligatory) provisions of the act have to be included in the state laws creating the new panchayati raj system.โ€
Why relevant

States that the 73rd Amendment gives constitutional status and makes certain provisions compulsory for states โ€” implying structural/obligatory aspects (which could encompass fiscal arrangements) are central to PRI functioning.

How to extend

A student can use this to check the 73rd Amendment and accompanying state obligations for explicit clauses on finances or fiscal decentralisation as core objectives.

Pattern takeaway: UPSC often treats the 'Definition' or 'Genesis' of a concept as the only correct answer for 'Fundamental Object' questions, ignoring secondary benefits like accountability or finance.
How you should have studied
  1. [THE VERDICT]: Trap. Source: Laxmikanth (Chapter: Panchayati Raj) & NCERT Class XI (Local Governments). The answer (C) relies on historical precision, not general logic.
  2. [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The Evolution of Local Self-Government and the specific mandate of the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957).
  3. [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the 'Committee Timeline': Balwant Rai Mehta (1957) โ†’ 'Democratic Decentralization'; Ashok Mehta (1977) โ†’ Two-tier system & Mandal Panchayat; G.V.K. Rao (1985) โ†’ 'Grass without roots'; L.M. Singhvi (1986) โ†’ Constitutional Status.
  4. [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Always distinguish between 'Objectives' (Why it was created) and 'Features' (How it works). PRIs were created specifically because the Community Development Programme (1952) failed due to a lack of people's participation.
Concept hooks from this question
๐Ÿ“Œ Adjacent topic to master
S1
๐Ÿ‘‰ People's participation as a core aim of Panchayati Raj
๐Ÿ’ก The insight

Multiple references state Panchayats enable active participation and that democracy at the grassroots works through direct involvement of people.

High-yield for polity questions: explains the normative purpose of local bodies and connects to topics like decentralisation, grassroots democracy and governance outcomes. Useful for questions on objectives of constitutional amendments and evaluation of local governance; prepare by linking NCERT explanations with functions of Panchayats.

๐Ÿ“š Reading List :
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 11: Grassroots Democracy โ€” Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas > Panchayati Raj System > p. 164
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 11: Grassroots Democracy โ€” Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas > Before we move on ... > p. 171
  • Democratic Politics-II. Political Science-Class X . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 1: Power-sharing > Forms of power-sharing > p. 11
๐Ÿ”— Anchor: "Is people's participation in development a fundamental objective of the Panchaya..."
๐Ÿ“Œ Adjacent topic to master
S1
๐Ÿ‘‰ Panchayati Raj as an instrument of rural development
๐Ÿ’ก The insight

Sources link Panchayats to promoting development and ensuring benefits of schemes reach the grassroots.

Frequently tested in GS papers and essays on rural development and implementation of schemes. Helps answer why decentralised institutions matter for service delivery and development outcomes; study by mapping functions of Panchayats to development responsibilities and case examples.

๐Ÿ“š Reading List :
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 11: Grassroots Democracy โ€” Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas > Panchayati Raj System > p. 164
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Panchayati Raj > p. 383
  • Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 8: LOCAL GOVERNMENTS > Local Governments in Independent India > p. 181
๐Ÿ”— Anchor: "Is people's participation in development a fundamental objective of the Panchaya..."
๐Ÿ“Œ Adjacent topic to master
S1
๐Ÿ‘‰ Decentralisation: three-tier system and planning role
๐Ÿ’ก The insight

References describe the three-tier Panchayati Raj structure and recommend Zilla Parishad as district planning agency.

Important for questions on institutional design and federal distribution of powers. Connects to constitutional provisions (73rd Amendment), role of tiers in planning and local governance; revise committee recommendations and tier-wise functions for application-based questions.

๐Ÿ“š Reading List :
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 11: Grassroots Democracy โ€” Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas > Before we move on ... > p. 171
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Thungon Committee > p. 387
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Thungon Committee > p. 387
๐Ÿ”— Anchor: "Is people's participation in development a fundamental objective of the Panchaya..."
๐Ÿ“Œ Adjacent topic to master
S2
๐Ÿ‘‰ Grassroots/Decentralized Democracy
๐Ÿ’ก The insight

Panchayati Raj is repeatedly described as local self-government enabling direct participation and decisionโ€‘making at the village level, which underpins political accountability.

High-yield for UPSC polity answers: explains the rationale for local bodies and links to questions on decentralisation, citizen participation, and responsiveness. Study by mapping how local participation translates into accountability, and practice answer frameworks that connect participation โ†’ representation โ†’ accountability.

๐Ÿ“š Reading List :
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Panchayati Raj > p. 383
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 11: Grassroots Democracy โ€” Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas > Panchayati Raj System > p. 164
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 11: Grassroots Democracy โ€” Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas > Before we move on ... > p. 171
๐Ÿ”— Anchor: "Is political accountability a fundamental objective of the Panchayati Raj system..."
๐Ÿ“Œ Adjacent topic to master
S2
๐Ÿ‘‰ Constitutionalisation & Regular Elections (73rd Amendment)
๐Ÿ’ก The insight

The 73rd Amendment and related Act give Panchayats constitutional status and mandate regular elections โ€” institutional measures that enforce political accountability.

Essential for polity essays and mains answers about decentralisation and reform: explains legal guarantees for continuity and oversight. Master the constitutional basis, mandatory vs. discretionary provisions, and implications for state obligation; useful for questions on federalism and institutional design.

๐Ÿ“š Reading List :
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Significance of the Act > p. 388
  • Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Panchayati Raj > p. 383
๐Ÿ”— Anchor: "Is political accountability a fundamental objective of the Panchayati Raj system..."
๐Ÿ“Œ Adjacent topic to master
S2
๐Ÿ‘‰ Popular Supervision as an Accountability Mechanism
๐Ÿ’ก The insight

Documents (e.g., committee recommendations) explicitly use 'popular supervision' to describe decentralisation under citizen oversight โ€” a concrete accountability concept.

Valuable for analytical answers on how accountability is operationalised at local levels. Helps candidates critique and propose reforms (e.g., strengthening supervision, electoral oversight). Prepare by linking committee recommendations to accountability outcomes and comparing proposed mechanisms.

๐Ÿ“š Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Ashok Mehta Committee > p. 385
  • Exploring Society:India and Beyond. Social Science-Class VI . NCERT(Revised ed 2025) > Chapter 11: Grassroots Democracy โ€” Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas > Before we move on ... > p. 171
๐Ÿ”— Anchor: "Is political accountability a fundamental objective of the Panchayati Raj system..."
๐Ÿ“Œ Adjacent topic to master
S3
๐Ÿ‘‰ Democratic decentralization
๐Ÿ’ก The insight

The term is named as the scheme that led to Panchayati Raj (Balwantrai Mehta) and is repeatedly referenced by later committees as its organising principle.

High-yield for polity: explains rationale for local self-government and features in questions about Panchayati Raj objectives and reforms. Connects to topics on local governance, decentralization of planning, and role of committees. Prepare by memorising definition, origin (committees), and functional implications for planning and participation.

๐Ÿ“š Reading List :
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Balwant rai Mehta Committee > p. 383
  • Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > C. Y.K. Rao Committee > p. 386
๐Ÿ”— Anchor: "Is democratic decentralization a fundamental objective of the Panchayati Raj sys..."
๐ŸŒ‘ The Hidden Trap

The Community Development Programme (1952). It is the 'failed ancestor' of Panchayati Raj. A future question will likely test *why* it failed (Bureaucratization/Lack of people's participation) or the specific phrase 'Grass without roots' coined by the G.V.K. Rao Committee.

โšก Elimination Cheat Code

Use the 'Weakness vs. Objective' filter. 'Financial Mobilization' (Statement 4) is a well-known *weakness* or *failure* of PRIs in India, not their fundamental object. Eliminating 4 removes Options B and D. Between A and C, 'Democratic Decentralization' is the verbatim title of the Balwant Rai Mehta report, making it the non-negotiable core.

๐Ÿ”— Mains Connection

Link this to the 'Principle of Subsidiarity' in GS-2 (Governance) and GS-4 (Ethics). It states that decisions should be taken at the lowest possible level of governance. This is the theoretical bedrock of Democratic Decentralization.

โœ“ Thank you! We'll review this.

SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CDS-II ยท 2009 ยท Q51 Relevance score: -0.49

The 73rd amendment of the Constitution provided constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions. Which of the following are the main features of this provision? I. A three tier system of Panchayat Raj for all states. II. Panchayat election in every 5 years. III. Not less than 33% of seats are reserved for women. IV. Constitution of district planning committeses to prepare development plans. Select the correct answer using the code given below:

CDS-I ยท 2021 ยท Q78 Relevance score: -0.82

Which of the following statements about the Panchayati Raj System are correct ? 1. All seats in a Panchayat are filled by persons chosen by direct election, 2. The โ€˜Gram Sabhaโ€™ consists of persons registered in the village electoral rolls. 3. The Chairperson of a Panchayat is elected in accordance with a law passed by each state. 4. All states in India have a three-tier system of Panchayats. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

CDS-I ยท 2009 ยท Q32 Relevance score: -1.97

Which of the following is not a recommendation of the Ashok Mehta Committee on Panchayati Raj ?

CAPF ยท 2020 ยท Q74 Relevance score: -2.57

Which of the following is/are correct in relation to the Panchayiats ? 1. Only the Parliament may endow Panchayats with powers and authority 2. A state may devolve powers to Panchayats in preparation of plans for economic development and social justice 3. A state may devolve powers to Panchayats in implementation of schemes for economic developยฌment and social justice Select the correct answer using the code given below: