Indian Democracy MCQ Quiz - Objective Question with Answer for Indian Democracy - Download Free PDF

The correct answer is - To make sure that endogamy is practiced amongst rural youth

Key Points

• To make sure that endogamy is practiced amongst rural youth
  • This statement is not a power and responsibility delegated to the Panchayats. Endogamy refers to the practice of marrying within a specific social group, caste, or ethnic group, and enforcing such practices is not within the mandate of Panchayats.
  • Panchayats are local self-government institutions in rural areas, and their powers and responsibilities are focused on governance and development, not on regulating social customs or practices.

Additional Information

• To prepare plans and schemes for economic development
  • This is a valid responsibility of Panchayats. They are empowered to prepare and implement plans for the economic development of their respective areas, focusing on infrastructure, agriculture, rural development, and other key sectors.
• To promote skills that will enhance social justice
  • This is also a valid responsibility of Panchayats. They are tasked with promoting education, skills development, and social welfare programs that aim to achieve social justice and equity.
• To levy, collect and appropriate taxes, duties, tolls, and fees
  • The Panchayats have the authority to levy, collect, and appropriate taxes, duties, tolls, and fees as specified under the Panchayati Raj Act. This includes property taxes, market fees, and other local taxes necessary for their functioning and development activities.

The correct answer is - Only ii and iii

Key Points

• Gram Sabha
  • The Gram Sabha includes all registered voters of a village and is the foundation of rural self-governance in India.
  • It plays a crucial role in electing the Gram Panchayat and holding it accountable.
• Statement-wise Analysis:
  • Statement i (Incorrect): The Gram Sabha is not a select group of elders; it includes all adult villagers.
  • Statement ii (Correct): It elects the local government (Gram Panchayat) and assigns responsibilities.
  • Statement iii (Correct): It provides an open forum for discussions on village development.
  • Statement iv (Incorrect): Tax collection is the duty of the Gram Panchayat, not the Gram Sabha.

Additional Information

• Role of Gram Sabha
  • It acts as a watchdog over the Gram Panchayat, ensuring transparency.
  • Approves village plans, budgets, and social welfare programs.
  • Plays a role in identifying beneficiaries for government schemes.
• Difference Between Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat
  • Gram Sabha: Includes all adult citizens, functions as a deliberative body.
  • Gram Panchayat: Elected representatives who execute decisions.

The correct answer is - Five years

Key Points

• 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992)
  • This amendment introduced the Panchayati Raj System in India to strengthen grassroots democracy.
  • It made the formation of local self-government bodies in rural areas mandatory.
  • The Act specifies that elections for Panchayati Raj institutions must be held every five years.
• Mandatory Elections
  • If a Panchayat is dissolved before the completion of its term, elections must be conducted within six months.
  • This ensures continuity in local governance and prevents administrative vacuum.

Additional Information

• 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (1992)
  • This amendment established a similar system for urban local bodies (municipalities).
  • Like Panchayats, municipal bodies are also elected every five years.
• State Election Commission
  • Both amendments mandate the formation of a State Election Commission to oversee local body elections.
  • The commission ensures free and fair elections at the grassroots level.

The correct answer is - Caste, community, and gender-based inequality

Key Points

• Democratisation is difficult in societies with long histories of inequality, especially based on caste, community, and gender.
Inequality leads to social divisions, making it challenging for marginalized groups to participate in the democratic process.
• In rural areas, the Gram Sabha (village council) may be dominated by a small group of upper-caste landlords, excluding others from decision-making.

Additional Information

• Historical Inequality causes long-standing social hierarchies, making it difficult to achieve democratic equality.
• Economic Growth and education are essential, but they cannot alone eliminate deeply rooted inequalities based on caste or gender.
• Upper Caste Dominance can lead to exclusion of marginalized groups from participation in local governance structures like Gram Sabhas.

The correct answer is - Mahila Samakhya

Key Points

• Mahila Samakhya
  • Mahila Samakhya is an NGO focused on empowering rural women.
  • It conducted a Panchayati Raj training program aimed at illiterate women to raise awareness of governance.
  • The program used traditional folk media, like phad (a cloth scroll), to educate women on governance and their rights.
  • This training emphasized the importance of integrity in leadership and governance.

Additional Information

• Phad
  • A traditional storytelling medium, the phad is a painted cloth scroll.
  • The scroll is used to narrate local stories and communicate important messages, making it an effective tool for illiterate populations.
• Rural Women’s Empowerment
  • Mahila Samakhya works to empower women by improving access to education, health, and economic opportunities.
  • The Panchayati Raj training program aligns with these goals, fostering greater participation of rural women in local governance.

The correct answer is 1951.

Key Points

• The 1951 Constitution (First Amendment) Act amended the Fundamental Rights clauses of the Indian Constitution in a number of ways. 
• It offered ways to impose restrictions on the right to free speech and expression and supported laws that outlawed zamindari.
• It was made clear that the right to equality does not exclude the passing of laws that give "particular regard" to society's most vulnerable groups.
• This Amendment established a precedent for rewriting the Constitution to override judicial decisions that prevented the government from
• carrying out its alleged obligations to specific policies and programs.

Additional Information

• A constitution is a collection of guiding ideas or accepted precedents that serve as the foundation for a polity, organization, etc.
• The Indian Constitution is credited to Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar as its father.
• On 26 November 1949, it was approved by the Indian Constituent Assembly, and on 26 January 1950, it came into force.
• The Government of India Act of 1935 was superseded by the constitution as the primary law of the land, transforming the Dominion of India into the Republic of India.

Option 3) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Important Points

• Assertation: Democracy has become a global force; while it has become widespread, but all is not well with this political system and it has got into some difficulties almost everywhere.
• Reason: For its failure, it is not the institution itself that is to be blamed; it is the way it has worked or the way its working has been distorted and manipulated by those in power.

Additional Information

• India is the world's largest democracy with a population of over 1.3 billion people. It has a federal parliamentary system of government with a President as the head of state and a Prime Minister as the head of government.
• India has a multi-party political system with regular free and fair elections, independent judiciary, and a free press. The Constitution of India guarantees fundamental rights to its citizens and ensures the rule of law, making it a vibrant and diverse democracy.

The correct answer is 1951.

Key Points

• The 1951 Constitution (First Amendment) Act amended the Fundamental Rights clauses of the Indian Constitution in a number of ways. 
• It offered ways to impose restrictions on the right to free speech and expression and supported laws that outlawed zamindari.
• It was made clear that the right to equality does not exclude the passing of laws that give "particular regard" to society's most vulnerable groups.
• This Amendment established a precedent for rewriting the Constitution to override judicial decisions that prevented the government from
• carrying out its alleged obligations to specific policies and programs.

Additional Information

• A constitution is a collection of guiding ideas or accepted precedents that serve as the foundation for a polity, organization, etc.
• The Indian Constitution is credited to Dr. Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar as its father.
• On 26 November 1949, it was approved by the Indian Constituent Assembly, and on 26 January 1950, it came into force.
• The Government of India Act of 1935 was superseded by the constitution as the primary law of the land, transforming the Dominion of India into the Republic of India.

• G2C refers to "Government to Citizen" interactions, which are interactions between the government and its citizens. Therefore, option (C) is correctly matched with 1.
• G2B refers to "Government to Business" interactions, which are interactions between the government and private sector businesses. Therefore, option (B) is correctly matched with 4.
• G2G refers to "Government to Government" interactions, which are interactions between two different government agencies or departments. Therefore, option (A) is correctly matched with 3.
• G2E refers to "Government to Employee" interactions, which are interactions between the government and its employees or staff. Therefore, option (D) is correctly matched with 2.

So, the correct match for the given options is (A) - (3), (B) - (4), (C) - (1), (D) - (2).

The correct answer is - To make sure that endogamy is practiced amongst rural youth

Key Points

• To make sure that endogamy is practiced amongst rural youth
  • This statement is not a power and responsibility delegated to the Panchayats. Endogamy refers to the practice of marrying within a specific social group, caste, or ethnic group, and enforcing such practices is not within the mandate of Panchayats.
  • Panchayats are local self-government institutions in rural areas, and their powers and responsibilities are focused on governance and development, not on regulating social customs or practices.

Additional Information

• To prepare plans and schemes for economic development
  • This is a valid responsibility of Panchayats. They are empowered to prepare and implement plans for the economic development of their respective areas, focusing on infrastructure, agriculture, rural development, and other key sectors.
• To promote skills that will enhance social justice
  • This is also a valid responsibility of Panchayats. They are tasked with promoting education, skills development, and social welfare programs that aim to achieve social justice and equity.
• To levy, collect and appropriate taxes, duties, tolls, and fees
  • The Panchayats have the authority to levy, collect, and appropriate taxes, duties, tolls, and fees as specified under the Panchayati Raj Act. This includes property taxes, market fees, and other local taxes necessary for their functioning and development activities.

The correct option is ' Both (A) and (R) are true and (R) is the correct explanation of (A)'.
Key Points

•  No country can be said to be completely democratic.
  • This statement is true
  • No country can claim to be completely democratic as there are always limitations and challenges in implementing the principles of democracy.
• Individuals and communities always try to expand the idea of democracy.
  • This statement is also true.
  • Democracy is a constantly evolving concept, and individuals and communities always strive to expand its principles and ensure that it is more inclusive and participatory.
• However, (R) is the correct explanation of (A) as the fact that individuals and communities always try to expand the idea of democracy  mean that no country can be said to be completely democratic.

The correct answer is - Only ii and iii

Key Points

• Gram Sabha
  • The Gram Sabha includes all registered voters of a village and is the foundation of rural self-governance in India.
  • It plays a crucial role in electing the Gram Panchayat and holding it accountable.
• Statement-wise Analysis:
  • Statement i (Incorrect): The Gram Sabha is not a select group of elders; it includes all adult villagers.
  • Statement ii (Correct): It elects the local government (Gram Panchayat) and assigns responsibilities.
  • Statement iii (Correct): It provides an open forum for discussions on village development.
  • Statement iv (Incorrect): Tax collection is the duty of the Gram Panchayat, not the Gram Sabha.

Additional Information

• Role of Gram Sabha
  • It acts as a watchdog over the Gram Panchayat, ensuring transparency.
  • Approves village plans, budgets, and social welfare programs.
  • Plays a role in identifying beneficiaries for government schemes.
• Difference Between Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat
  • Gram Sabha: Includes all adult citizens, functions as a deliberative body.
  • Gram Panchayat: Elected representatives who execute decisions.

The correct answer is - Five years

Key Points

• 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992)
  • This amendment introduced the Panchayati Raj System in India to strengthen grassroots democracy.
  • It made the formation of local self-government bodies in rural areas mandatory.
  • The Act specifies that elections for Panchayati Raj institutions must be held every five years.
• Mandatory Elections
  • If a Panchayat is dissolved before the completion of its term, elections must be conducted within six months.
  • This ensures continuity in local governance and prevents administrative vacuum.

Additional Information

• 74th Constitutional Amendment Act (1992)
  • This amendment established a similar system for urban local bodies (municipalities).
  • Like Panchayats, municipal bodies are also elected every five years.
• State Election Commission
  • Both amendments mandate the formation of a State Election Commission to oversee local body elections.
  • The commission ensures free and fair elections at the grassroots level.

The correct answer is - Caste, community, and gender-based inequality

Key Points

• Democratisation is difficult in societies with long histories of inequality, especially based on caste, community, and gender.
Inequality leads to social divisions, making it challenging for marginalized groups to participate in the democratic process.
• In rural areas, the Gram Sabha (village council) may be dominated by a small group of upper-caste landlords, excluding others from decision-making.

Additional Information

• Historical Inequality causes long-standing social hierarchies, making it difficult to achieve democratic equality.
• Economic Growth and education are essential, but they cannot alone eliminate deeply rooted inequalities based on caste or gender.
• Upper Caste Dominance can lead to exclusion of marginalized groups from participation in local governance structures like Gram Sabhas.

The correct answer is - Mahila Samakhya

Key Points

• Mahila Samakhya
  • Mahila Samakhya is an NGO focused on empowering rural women.
  • It conducted a Panchayati Raj training program aimed at illiterate women to raise awareness of governance.
  • The program used traditional folk media, like phad (a cloth scroll), to educate women on governance and their rights.
  • This training emphasized the importance of integrity in leadership and governance.

Additional Information

• Phad
  • A traditional storytelling medium, the phad is a painted cloth scroll.
  • The scroll is used to narrate local stories and communicate important messages, making it an effective tool for illiterate populations.
• Rural Women’s Empowerment
  • Mahila Samakhya works to empower women by improving access to education, health, and economic opportunities.
  • The Panchayati Raj training program aligns with these goals, fostering greater participation of rural women in local governance.