🏛️ CBSE SAMPLE QUESTION PAPER

Class XI – Political Science (Course A)

Chapter 8 – LOCAL GOVERNMENTS

Time: 90 Minutes  Maximum Marks: 40
(No Copyright – Free for Academic Use)

SECTION A – VERY SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (1 Mark each)

(Answer in one sentence only.)

1. What is meant by ‘Local Government’?
2. Who is known as the “Father of Local Self-Government” in India?
3. Which constitutional amendment gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions?
4. How many subjects are listed in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution?
5. What is the minimum number of seats reserved for women in Panchayats?
6. In which year were the 73rd and 74th Amendments passed?
7. What is the term of a Panchayat as per the Constitution?
8. Name the three levels of Panchayati Raj system.

Answers – Section A

1. Local government is the system of administration at the village, town, or city level that deals with local affairs and ensures people’s participation in governance.
2. Lord Ripon.
3. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992).
4. 29 subjects.
5. Not less than one-third of the total seats.
6. Five years.
7. (i) Gram Panchayat, (ii) Panchayat Samiti, (iii) Zila Parishad.

SECTION B – SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (2 Marks each)

(Answer in about 40–60 words.)

9. Mention two reasons why local governments are necessary in a democracy.
10. What are the main features of the Gram Sabha?
11. List any two functions of Panchayats according to the Eleventh Schedule.
12. What are the three types of urban local bodies created by the 74th Amendment?
13. State any two challenges faced by local governments in India.

Answers – Section B

9. Local governments bring democracy to the grassroots level and enable citizens to participate directly in decision-making. They also make governance more efficient and responsive to local needs.
10. The Gram Sabha consists of all adult members of a village. It approves plans, budgets, and programmes of the Gram Panchayat and ensures transparency and accountability in its functioning.
11. (a) Preparation of development plans for agriculture, roads, housing, and water supply.
    (b) Implementation of schemes for health, education, and social justice.
12. (a) Nagar Panchayat (for transitional areas),
    (b) Municipal Council (for smaller towns),
    (c) Municipal Corporation (for large urban areas).
13. (a) Lack of financial autonomy and dependence on state governments.
    (b) Political interference and irregular meetings of Gram Sabhas.

SECTION C – SHORT ANSWER QUESTIONS (4 Marks each)

(Answer in about 80–100 words.)

14. Explain the role and functions of the State Election Commission.
15. Describe the importance of the 73rd Amendment to the Constitution.
16. What are the main provisions of the 74th Constitutional Amendment related to urban local governments?

Answers – Section C

14. The State Election Commission conducts elections to Panchayats and Municipalities in each state. It is headed by a State Election Commissioner appointed by the Governor. It ensures free and fair elections and supervises the preparation of electoral rolls. The Commission plays a key role in maintaining democratic processes at the local level.
15. The 73rd Amendment gave constitutional recognition to Panchayati Raj Institutions. It introduced a three-tier system — Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad. It mandated regular elections, fixed a 5-year term, provided for reservation of seats for women and SC/STs, and established State Election and Finance Commissions. This made rural local governance more democratic, transparent, and participatory.
16. The 74th Amendment added Part IXA to the Constitution and provided for three types of urban bodies — Nagar Panchayats, Municipal Councils, and Municipal Corporations. It ensured regular elections, reservation for women and weaker sections, creation of Metropolitan Planning Committees, and establishment of State Election and Finance Commissions. It empowered municipalities to plan and manage urban development effectively.

SECTION D – LONG ANSWER QUESTIONS (6 Marks each)

(Answer in about 150–200 words.)

17. Discuss the growth and development of local government in India before and after independence.
18. Explain the main achievements and challenges in the implementation of the 73rd and 74th Amendments.

Answers – Section D

17. Growth and Development of Local Government in India

• Ancient Period: Village Panchayats existed since early times and managed local disputes and resources.
• Medieval Period: Panchayats declined due to centralised rule during the Mughal era.
• British Period: Lord Ripon’s 1882 Resolution introduced democratic decentralisation. Local boards and municipalities were established but with limited powers.
• Post-Independence Period (Before 1992):
  • The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957) recommended a three-tier Panchayati Raj system.
  • Panchayati Raj was launched in Rajasthan in 1959.
  • Later committees (Ashok Mehta, Singhvi, etc.) suggested strengthening local governance.
  • However, Panchayats lacked constitutional protection and financial autonomy.
• After 1992:
  • The 73rd and 74th Amendments gave constitutional status to local bodies, ensuring elections, powers, and finances.
  • Local governments became the third tier of India’s federal system.

Thus, local governments evolved from informal village assemblies to constitutionally recognised democratic institutions.

18. Achievements and Challenges in Implementation

Achievements:

1. Local bodies now enjoy constitutional status with fixed tenure and regular elections.
2. Women’s empowerment through one-third (and in some states, 50%) reservation in local bodies.
3. Inclusion of SCs, STs, and OBCs in governance.
4. State Election Commissions and Finance Commissions ensure democratic and financial accountability.
5. Local governance has strengthened grassroots democracy and citizen participation.

Challenges:

1. Dependence on state governments for funds and approval.
2. Weak financial resources limit development activities.
3. Political and bureaucratic interference hampers autonomy.
4. Irregular Gram Sabha meetings and low public participation.
5. Corruption and lack of transparency in functioning.

Conclusion:
The amendments have deepened democracy, but true success depends on empowering local bodies financially and ensuring active citizen involvement.

SECTION E – CASE-BASED / ANALYTICAL QUESTION (6 Marks)

19. Read the passage below and answer the questions that follow:

“The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments aimed to institutionalise democracy at the grassroots level. However, despite their constitutional backing, many local bodies still depend on state governments for funds and authority.”

Questions:
a) What was the main objective of the 73rd and 74th Amendments? (2 marks)
b) Mention two ways in which local bodies have been empowered. (2 marks)
c) Mention two major problems still faced by these institutions. (2 marks)

Answers – Section E

a) The main objective was to strengthen democratic decentralisation by giving constitutional status to Panchayats and Municipalities and ensuring people’s participation in local governance.

b)

1. Reservation for women and weaker sections.
2. Establishment of State Election and Finance Commissions to ensure autonomy and accountability.

c)

1. Financial dependence on state governments.
2. Interference by political and bureaucratic authorities reducing their independence.

✅ MARKING SCHEME SUMMARY