Practice paper — Constitution Part IX — The Panchayats

1.Under Article 243(b), the 'Gram Sabha' means —

• (A) the elected executive committee of a village Panchayat
• (B) all adult residents of a village whether or not registered as voters
• (C) a body consisting of persons registered in the electoral rolls relating to a village comprised within the area of the Panchayat at the village level
• (D) a body of village elders nominated by the Governor

2.Under Article 243(d), 'Panchayat' means an institution of self-government constituted under which article, and for which areas?

• (A) Under Article 243B, for the rural areas
• (B) Under Article 243Q, for the urban areas
• (C) Under Article 243A, for the village level only
• (D) Under Article 40, for the rural areas

3.For the purposes of Part IX, Article 243(f) provides that 'population' means the population as ascertained at —

• (A) the most recent household survey conducted by the State
• (B) the last preceding census of which the relevant figures have been published
• (C) the last preceding census, whether or not its figures have been published
• (D) the census immediately following the constitution of the Panchayat

4.Which of the following is correct about the definition of 'village' in Article 243(g)?

• (A) It means any revenue village recorded in the land records of the State
• (B) It means any habitation with a population above a threshold fixed by Parliament
• (C) It means a village specified by the Governor by public notification, and includes a group of villages so specified
• (D) It means an area declared to be a village by the district collector

5.At what level may a Gram Sabha exercise powers and perform functions according to the provision?

• (A) District level
• (B) Village level
• (C) State level
• (D) National level

6.Can a Gram Sabha exercise powers that have not been provided by the Legislature of a State by law?

• (A) Yes, it can exercise any powers it chooses
• (B) Only if the President approves
• (C) No — only powers provided by the Legislature of a State by law
• (D) Only if the High Court permits

7.Which statement best captures the legal relationship created by the wording "A Gram Sabha may exercise ... as the Legislature of a State may, by law, provide"?

• (A) The State Legislature must provide powers and the Gram Sabha must exercise them
• (B) The Gram Sabha has inherent powers that the Legislature cannot alter
• (C) The State Legislature may provide powers by law, but the Gram Sabha has no choice in exercising them
• (D) Both the State Legislature has discretion to provide powers by law and the Gram Sabha has discretion whether to exercise them

8.According to Article 243B(1) of the Constitution, Panchayats are to be constituted at which levels?

• (A) Village, intermediate and district levels
• (B) Village and district levels only
• (C) State and village levels
• (D) Municipal, intermediate and district levels

9.If a State's population is exactly twenty lakhs, what does Article 243B(2) permit regarding intermediate Panchayats?

• (A) No — intermediate Panchayats must be constituted even at twenty lakhs.
• (B) Only if the State legislature passes a special law can they be omitted.
• (C) Yes — clause (2) allows intermediate Panchayats to not be constituted when the population does not exceed twenty lakhs.
• (D) Only with the prior approval of the central government may they be omitted.

10.Which statement best describes the relationship between clauses (1) and (2) of Article 243B?

• (A) Clause (2) allows any or all levels of Panchayats to be omitted at the State's discretion.
• (B) Clause (2) is an exception to clause (1) permitting only the intermediate level to be not constituted in States with population not exceeding twenty lakhs.
• (C) Clause (2) nullifies clause (1) so that no Panchayats need be constituted in States under twenty lakhs.
• (D) Clause (2) changes the population threshold for all levels of Panchayats to twenty lakhs.

11.Who may, by law, make provisions with respect to the composition of Panchayats under Article 243C?

• (A) The Legislature of a State
• (B) The Parliament of India
• (C) The President of India
• (D) The Governor of the State

12.Article 243C contains a proviso about the population-to-seat ratio. If exact uniformity across the State cannot be achieved, what standard does the Article require?

• (A) The ratio must be exactly the same throughout the State
• (B) The ratio must be the same only within each district
• (C) The ratio should be the same throughout the State 'so far as practicable'
• (D) The State Election Commission may vary the ratios arbitrarily

13.In a State that does not have Panchayats at the intermediate level, where may Chairpersons of the Panchayats at the village level be represented under Article 243C(3)?

• (A) In the State Legislative Assembly
• (B) Only in Gram Sabhas
• (C) They cannot be represented at higher levels
• (D) In the Panchayats at the district level

14.Under Article 243D(1) of the Constitution, seats shall be reserved in every Panchayat for which of the following categories?

• (A) The Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes
• (B) The Other Backward Classes and the Scheduled Castes
• (C) Women and the Scheduled Tribes
• (D) The Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and all women

15.What minimum proportion of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Panchayat is reserved for women under Article 243D(3)?

• (A) One-fourth of the total seats
• (B) One-half of the total seats
• (C) One-third of the total seats
• (D) Two-thirds of the total seats

16.Which statement correctly reflects the saving/expiry rule in Article 243D(5) about reservation provisions?

• (A) All reservations under clauses (1) to (4) continue indefinitely and do not cease on the expiry of Article 334's period.
• (B) The reservation of seats under clauses (1) and (2) and the reservation of offices of Chairpersons under clause (4) (other than the reservation for women) shall cease to have effect on the expiration of the period specified in Article 334.
• (C) Only reservations for women shall cease on the expiration of Article 334's period.
• (D) No part of Article 243D is subject to the period mentioned in Article 334.

17.Which of the following best describes the relationship between clauses (2) and (3) of Article 243D regarding reservation for women?

• (A) Clause (2) requires not less than one-third of the seats reserved under clause (1) for SCs/STs to be reserved for women of those groups, while clause (3) requires not less than one-third of the total seats to be reserved for women and explicitly includes the seats reserved under clause (2) in that count.
• (B) Clause (2) and clause (3) are identical and duplicate the same requirement about women's reservation.
• (C) Clause (3) requires one-third of seats reserved under clause (1) to be for SC/ST women, and clause (2) sets a separate one-third for general women only.
• (D) Clause (2) excludes SC/ST women from the one-third reservation in clause (3), requiring distinct seats beyond the one-third for women.

18.According to Article 243E(2), can an amendment of an existing law cause the dissolution of a Panchayat that was functioning immediately before such amendment before the expiry of its five-year term?

• (A) No — an amendment cannot cause dissolution until the expiration of its duration specified in clause (1).
• (B) Yes — an amendment takes immediate effect and dissolves the Panchayat.
• (C) Only if the State Legislature passes a resolution to that effect.
• (D) Only with prior approval of the Election Commission.

19.Under the proviso to Article 243E(3), if the remainder of the period for which a dissolved Panchayat would have continued is less than six months, what is required?

• (A) A fresh election must be held regardless of the short remainder
• (B) No election is necessary to constitute the Panchayat for that remainder period
• (C) An election must be held only if the remainder exceeds three months
• (D) The Panchayat automatically continues without any notification for one year

20.A Panchayat is dissolved with only four months remaining of its original five-year term. If, notwithstanding the proviso, an election is held and a Panchayat is constituted upon such dissolution, how long will that newly constituted Panchayat continue under Article 243E?

• (A) A fresh full five-year term from the date of its first meeting
• (B) For six months as a statutory grace period
• (C) For four years (the remaining period rounded up)
• (D) Only for the remainder of the original period (i.e., the four months)

21.Which of the following sources of law can, under Article 243F(1), disqualify a person from membership of a Panchayat?

• (A) A law in force for the purposes of elections to the State Legislature and any law made by the State Legislature.
• (B) Only laws passed by Parliament.
• (C) Only laws framed by the State Election Commission.
• (D) Only municipal by‑laws.

22.If a person is disqualified under a law that is in force for the purposes of elections to the State Legislature, is he also disqualified from being a member of a Panchayat under Article 243F?

• (A) No — disqualifications for Legislature elections never apply to Panchayats.
• (B) Only if the State Legislature enacts a separate law to that effect.
• (C) Yes — Article 243F(1)(a) makes such disqualifications applicable to Panchayat membership.
• (D) Only if the Election Commission certifies the disqualification.

23.Who, under Article 243G, may by law endow the Panchayats with powers and authority to function as institutions of self-government?

• (A) The Legislature of a State
• (B) Parliament of India
• (C) The State Government (Executive)
• (D) The President of India

24.Does Article 243G permit the State Legislature to devolve powers and responsibilities upon Panchayats "at the appropriate level" and allow the law to specify conditions for such devolution?

• (A) Yes, but the devolution must be unconditional and without specified conditions
• (B) Yes, and the law may specify conditions for devolution upon Panchayats at the appropriate level
• (C) No, devolution must be specified only by the Central Government
• (D) No, devolution is limited to functions listed only in the Union List

25.What limitation does Article 243G place on the State Legislature's power to endow Panchayats with powers?

• (A) The power to endow Panchayats is exercisable only "subject to the provisions of this Constitution."
• (B) The State Legislature may endow Panchayats regardless of any other constitutional provision
• (C) The State Legislature may endow Panchayats only after a presidential proclamation
• (D) The State Legislature may endow Panchayats but cannot specify any conditions

26.Article 243H permits grants-in-aid to the Panchayats to be made from which source?

• (A) The Consolidated Fund of the State
• (B) The Consolidated Fund of India
• (C) A Panchayat's own reserve fund
• (D) The Contingency Fund of the State

27.If the State Government levies and collects a particular tax, can the State Legislature, by law, assign that tax to a Panchayat for specified purposes under Article 243H?

• (A) No — taxes levied by the State Government cannot be assigned to Panchayats under any circumstances
• (B) Yes — but only if the Central Government approves the assignment
• (C) Yes — the Legislature may assign to a Panchayat such taxes, duties, tolls and fees levied and collected by the State Government for such purposes and subject to such conditions and limits
• (D) Yes — but only for taxes that were originally imposed by the Panchayat

28.Which of the following correctly captures the limitation placed on a Panchayat's power to levy taxes under Article 243H?

• (A) A Panchayat may levy any taxes it chooses without reference to procedure or limits
• (B) A Panchayat's power to levy is subject to specified procedure and limits laid down by law
• (C) Only the State Governor may set the procedure and limits for Panchayat taxation
• (D) The Article allows levy of taxes but is silent on collection and appropriation

29.Under Article 243I, what is the Governor of a State required to do within one year from the commencement of the Seventy-third Amendment and thereafter at the expiration of every fifth year?

• (A) Constitute a Finance Commission to review the financial position of the Panchayats and to make recommendations to the Governor.
• (B) Constitute a State Election Commission to oversee Panchayat elections.
• (C) Appoint the members of the Panchayats at all levels.
• (D) Present a consolidated state financial report on Panchayat funds to the Legislature.

30.Who may, by law, provide for the composition of the Finance Commission, the qualifications for appointment as members, and the manner in which they shall be selected under Article 243I?

• (A) The Governor of the State by executive order.
• (B) The Legislature of the State by law.
• (C) The Parliament of India by central legislation.
• (D) The Finance Commission itself when constituted.

31.What must the Governor do with every recommendation made by the Finance Commission under Article 243I?

• (A) Refer the recommendation to the President for approval.
• (B) Publish the recommendations in the State Gazette only.
• (C) Cause every recommendation together with an explanatory memorandum as to the action taken thereon to be laid before the Legislature of the State.
• (D) Forward the recommendations to the Panchayats for implementation without Legislature involvement.

32.According to Article 243J of the Constitution, who is empowered to make provisions regarding maintenance and auditing of Panchayat accounts?

• (A) The Legislature of a State
• (B) The Parliament of India
• (C) The State Government (Cabinet)
• (D) The Panchayats themselves

33.What subject matter may the State Legislature legislate on under Article 243J?

• (A) Establishment and dissolution of Panchayats
• (B) Maintenance of accounts by Panchayats and the auditing of such accounts
• (C) Qualifications of Panchayat members
• (D) Distribution of seats among Panchayats

34.Under Article 243J, can a State Legislature enact rules about how audits of Panchayat accounts are to be conducted?

• (A) No — audits can only be directed by the Comptroller and Auditor General
• (B) No — audit rules must be made by the Central Government
• (C) No — only Panchayats can decide their audit procedures internally
• (D) Yes — the Legislature of a State may, by law, make provisions with respect to auditing of such accounts

35.Who appoints the State Election Commissioner under Article 243K?

• (A) The Governor
• (B) The President
• (C) The Chief Minister
• (D) The State Legislature

36.Which of the following functions is vested in the State Election Commission by Article 243K(1)?

• (A) Only the conduct of elections to the Panchayats
• (B) The superintendence, direction and control of preparation of electoral rolls for, and the conduct of, all elections to the Panchayats
• (C) Only the preparation of electoral rolls for Panchayat elections
• (D) The conduct of elections to the State Legislative Assembly

37.Under Article 243K(2) (Proviso), by what manner and on what grounds may the State Election Commissioner be removed?

• (A) At the Governor's pleasure
• (B) By a resolution of the State Legislature
• (C) Only in like manner and on the like grounds as a Judge of a High Court
• (D) By an order of the President on the advice of the Governor

38.If the State Legislature enacts a law after appointment that reduces the service conditions of the State Election Commissioner to his disadvantage, is that variation valid under Article 243K(2)?

• (A) No — conditions of service shall not be varied to his disadvantage after his appointment
• (B) Yes — the State Legislature can always alter conditions by law under the "subject to" clause
• (C) Yes — if the Governor issues a rule implementing the legislative change it is valid
• (D) Yes — but only if the change is approved by the President

39.When this Part is applied to a Union territory, references to the Governor of a State are to be read as references to which authority?

• (A) The President of India
• (B) The Lieutenant Governor
• (C) The Administrator of the Union territory appointed under Article 239
• (D) The Chief Secretary of the Union territory

40.How are references to the Legislature or the Legislative Assembly of a State to be read in relation to a Union territory that has a Legislative Assembly?

• (A) They are to be read as references to the Parliament.
• (B) They are to be read as references to that Union territory's Legislative Assembly.
• (C) They are to be read as references to the Administrator.
• (D) They are to be ignored entirely.

41.Which statement correctly describes the scope of the President's power under the proviso to Article 243L?

• (A) The President may, by public notification, direct application of the Part to any Union territory or part thereof subject to exceptions and modifications he specifies.
• (B) The President may only exclude the entire Part from application to all Union territories without specifying modifications.
• (C) The President must obtain the concurrence of the State Governor before issuing such a notification.
• (D) The President can redefine the meaning of 'Administrator' in the notification.

42.According to Article 243M(1), this Part of the Constitution does not apply to which areas?

• (A) The Scheduled Areas and the tribal areas referred to in clauses (1) and (2) of Article 244
• (B) Only the Scheduled Areas referred to in Article 244(1)
• (C) Only the tribal areas referred to in Article 244(2)
• (D) All hill areas in the country

43.Does the Part relating to Panchayats at the district level apply to the hill areas of the District of Darjeeling for which the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council exists?

• (A) Yes — it applies to those hill areas like any other district
• (B) No — nothing in this Part relating to district-level Panchayats shall apply to those hill areas
• (C) Yes, but only if the State of West Bengal passes a resolution
• (D) It applies, but cannot affect the functions and powers of the Darjeeling Gorkha Hill Council

44.If Parliament enacts a law under Article 243M(4)(b) extending the provisions of this Part to the Scheduled Areas, is that law to be treated as an amendment of the Constitution under Article 368?

• (A) Yes — any extension to Scheduled Areas is a constitutional amendment under Article 368
• (B) No — such a law is expressly deemed an amendment under Article 368
• (C) Yes — but only if the law removes all exceptions and modifications
• (D) No — Article 243M(4)(b) states such a law shall not be deemed an amendment for the purposes of Article 368

45.According to Article 243N, what is the status of any provision of a State law relating to Panchayats that was in force immediately before the commencement of the Constitution (Seventy-third Amendment) Act, 1992 but is inconsistent with the provisions of this Part?

• (A) It continues in force until amended or repealed by a competent Legislature or other competent authority or until the expiration of one year from such commencement, whichever is earlier.
• (B) It continues in force indefinitely unless repealed by Parliament.
• (C) It ceases to have effect immediately on the commencement of the Seventy-third Amendment.
• (D) It continues only until the first Panchayat elections are held under the new Part.

46.If a State provision relating to Panchayats is inconsistent and is not amended or repealed by a competent Legislature or other competent authority, can it remain in force beyond one year from the commencement of the Seventy-third Amendment?

• (A) Yes — it continues until a competent authority takes action, regardless of the one-year period.
• (B) Yes — the State may extend it by passing a resolution.
• (C) Yes — it continues until the next Panchayat elections.
• (D) No — such provision will cease after one year from commencement unless amended or repealed earlier.

47.Who, according to Article 243N, may amend or repeal any provision of a State law relating to Panchayats that continued in force after the Seventy-third Amendment?

• (A) Only the Parliament of India.
• (B) Only the Governor of the State.
• (C) A competent Legislature or other competent authority.
• (D) Only the State Election Commission.

48.According to Article 243O(1)(a) of the Constitution, what is the position regarding the validity of a law relating to the delimitation of constituencies made under Article 243K?

• (A) Its validity may be questioned in any court subject to usual judicial review.
• (B) Its validity shall not be called in question in any court.
• (C) Its validity may be questioned only before the Supreme Court.
• (D) Its validity may be tested only by an election petition.

49.Article 243O(1)(b) permits an election to any Panchayat to be called in question by which of the following methods?

• (A) By filing a writ petition in the High Court.
• (B) By an election petition presented to such authority and in such manner as provided by or under any law made by the Legislature of a State.
• (C) By directly approaching the Supreme Court under its original jurisdiction.
• (D) By public interest litigation in any court.

50.Under Article 243O, may a Panchayat election be challenged in court by means other than an election petition (for example, by a public interest litigation or a general suit)?

• (A) Yes — any court remedy is available alongside an election petition.
• (B) Yes — but only if the State Legislature permits it.
• (C) No — it can be called in question only by an election petition in the manner provided by state law.
• (D) No — it cannot be challenged at all, by any means.