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Q85 (IAS/2015) Polity & Governance › Local Government › 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: —  ·  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 elements—people's participation in development, political accountability, democratic decentralization, and financial mobilization—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 — 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 — 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. Poli…
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Origin: Books + Current Affairs Fairness: Moderate fairness Books / CA: 7.5/10 · 2.5/10
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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 — Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas > Panchayati Raj System > p. 164
Presence: 5/5
“Like 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.”
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 — Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas > Before we move on ... > p. 171
Presence: 5/5
“• → The local government in rural areas is organised into a three-tier system.• → Democracy in the Panchayati Raj system works both through direct participation of people and through their elected representatives.• → 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.”
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
“Local 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.”
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.
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SIMILAR QUESTIONS

CDS-II · 2009 · 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 · 2021 · 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 ‘Gram Sabha’ 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 · 2009 · Q32 Relevance score: -1.97

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

CAPF · 2020 · 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 develop¬ment and social justice Select the correct answer using the code given below: