1996 General Studies, all questions
UPSC Prelims 1996 · General Studies
Question 60: Polity and Governance
What is the system of governance in the Panchayati Raj setup?
aSingle tier structure of local self-government at the village level
bTwo-tier system of local self-government at the village and block levels
cThree tier structure of local self-government, at the village, block and district levels
dFour tier system of local self-government at the village, block, district and state levels
AnswerThe answer is (c).
The Panchayati Raj system is three-tier: the gram panchayat at the village level, the panchayat samiti at the block level and the zilla parishad at the district level. This is the pattern recommended by the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957) and given constitutional status by the 73rd Amendment (1992). States do not have a fourth, state-level tier of local self-government.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) A single village tier was not the pattern recommended or adopted.
- (b) Two tiers is a pattern of some states, not the general system.
- (c) Right: village, block and district tiers.
- (d) The state level is the state government, not part of local self-government.
Explanation: written by UPSC Grade, not by UPSC.
Source: UPSC, Civil Services (Preliminary) Examination 1996, General Studies. UPSC's own paper isn't online; the words are from a published compilation. The paper on upsc.gov.in.