Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in
- A.Federalism
- B.Democratic decentralisation
- C.Administrative delegation
- D.Direct democracy
Correct answer
Explanation
The correct answer is B, Democratic decentralisation. Local self-government transfers power and functions to elected bodies of the people at the village, block, district and town levels.
The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957) recommended a three-tier Panchayati Raj system and used the phrase "democratic decentralisation" for it; Rajasthan launched the first such system at Nagaur on 2 October 1959. The 73rd and 74th Amendments of 1992 gave panchayats and municipalities constitutional status, regular elections every five years, reserved seats and lists of functions in the Eleventh and Twelfth Schedules. The idea is that people elect their own local governments, which then decide and act on local matters.
A is wrong: federalism is the division of power between the Union and the states, not between the state and local bodies.
C is wrong: administrative delegation hands tasks to officials, who stay answerable to higher officers, not to local voters.
D is wrong: in direct democracy citizens decide laws themselves, whereas local bodies are mostly run by elected representatives.
Exam tip: Balwant Rai Mehta (1957) = democratic decentralisation; Nagaur, 2 October 1959 = first Panchayati Raj.
Practice Questions
View allWhich law prescribes that all proceedings in the Supreme Court shall be in English language ?
- A.Article 145 of the Constitution of India
- B.Article 348 of the Constitution of India
- C.The Supreme Court Rules, 1966
- D.An Act passed by the Parliament
Show answer
Article 348(1)(a) says that, until Parliament by law provides otherwise, all proceedings in the Supreme Court and in every High Court shall be in the English language.
Read the full explanation →Which among the following writs is issued to quash the order of a Court or Tribunal?
- A.Mandamus
- B.Prohibition
- C.Quo Warranto
- D.Certiorari
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Certiorari, meaning 'to be certified' or 'to be informed', is issued by a higher court to a lower court or tribunal to transfer a case or to quash an order it has already passed.
Read the full explanation →Article 371 A of the Constitution of India provides special privileges to
- A.Nagaland
- B.Mizoram
- C.Sikkim
- D.Manipur
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Article 371A gives Nagaland special protection for Naga religious and social practices, customary law and the ownership of land and its resources.
Read the full explanation →Political analysis involves both normative and empirical approaches. Which of the following statements is/are correct about the two approaches? 1. Knowledge acquired through the empirical approach is value-loaded. 2. Knowledge acquired through the normative approach is objectively neutral. Select the correct answer using the code given below.
- A.1 only
- B.2 only
- C.Both 1 and 2
- D.Neither 1 nor 2
Show answer
Both statements reverse the two approaches: empirical knowledge aims to be value-free, while normative knowledge is value-loaded. The empirical approach studies politics as it is.
Read the full explanation →Which one of the following statements related to below mentioned Committees of the Parliament is correct?
- A.The Rajya Sabha elects more members than the Lok Sabha to the Committee on the Welfare of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes
- B.The Chairperson of the Committee on Welfare of Other Backward Classes is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha
- C.Members nominated by the Chairman of the Rajya Sabha are more in number than Members nominated by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha on the Committee on Empowerment of Women
- D.The Rajya Sabha elects more members than the Lok Sabha to the Public Accounts Committee
Show answer
The Committee on Welfare of Other Backward Classes is a joint committee whose Chairperson is appointed by the Speaker of the Lok Sabha from among its members.
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