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PM Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana: Panchayats and Local Governance — MCQs with Answers

Test what you know about PM Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana: Panchayats and Local Governance with 10 UPSC Prelims-style questions. Try each one first, then tap “Show answer” for the correct option and its explanation.

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  1. Q1. With reference to PM Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana, which statement is correct?

    1. It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme approved for 2026–27 to 2030–31
    2. It is limited to urban municipal corporations
    3. It creates permanent posts in every Gram Panchayat
    4. It replaces every departmental arrangement for individual schemes
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme approved for 2026–27 to 2030–31

    Explanation

    Correct Answer: (A). The scheme is centrally sponsored and approved for 2026–27 to 2030–31. It concerns rural local governance, including eligible traditional local bodies, rather than only urban corporations. No permanent posts are created under it, and existing departmental arrangements for delivering individual schemes continue despite greater planning coordination.

  2. Q2. Which description correctly identifies a Gram Sabha?

    1. Only the elected members of a village Panchayat
    2. Persons registered in the electoral rolls relating to a village within the village-level Panchayat area
    3. Only government employees posted in a village
    4. Only residents who pay a Panchayat tax
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (B) Persons registered in the electoral rolls relating to a village within the village-level Panchayat area

    Explanation

    Correct Answer: (B). The constitutional definition links Gram Sabha membership to the relevant electoral rolls. It is not restricted to elected Panchayat members, government employees or taxpayers. The Gram Panchayat and Gram Sabha therefore should not be treated as identical bodies, even though they are connected within rural local governance.

  3. Q3. Consider the following statements: 1. Article 243G enables state legislatures to endow Panchayats with powers for self-government. 2. A new capacity-building scheme automatically transfers every departmental employee to Panchayats. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. 2 only
    2. Both 1 and 2
    3. 1 only
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (C) 1 only

    Explanation

    Correct Answer: (C). Statement 1 is correct because Article 243G provides for empowerment through state legislation. Statement 2 is incorrect: training or funding does not independently transfer all employees or departmental powers. Legal responsibility, financial resources and the availability of personnel remain separate dimensions that require coordinated action.

  4. Q4. Consider the following pairs: 1. Article 243H — Panchayat taxation and funds 2. Article 243I — State Finance Commission 3. Article 243A — Powers and functions of the Gram Sabha under state law How many of the above pairs are correctly matched?

    1. Only one
    2. Only two
    3. None
    4. All three
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (D) All three

    Explanation

    Correct Answer: (D). All three pairs are correctly matched. Article 243H concerns state-law provisions on Panchayat taxation and funds; Article 243I concerns the State Finance Commission; Article 243A concerns Gram Sabha powers and functions provided by state law. These roles should be distinguished from Article 243G, which concerns Panchayat empowerment.

  5. Q5. Which pair correctly distinguishes the principal roles of the two digital systems discussed in the article?

    1. eGramSwaraj — Planning and accounting; AuditOnline — Auditing
    2. eGramSwaraj — State elections; AuditOnline — Tax legislation
    3. eGramSwaraj — Only auditing; AuditOnline — Only asset construction
    4. eGramSwaraj — Parliamentary voting; AuditOnline — Judicial review
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) eGramSwaraj — Planning and accounting; AuditOnline — Auditing

    Explanation

    Correct Answer: (A). eGramSwaraj supports planning, progress reporting, accounting and asset records, while AuditOnline supports the auditing process. Neither platform enacts tax laws, conducts parliamentary voting or performs judicial review. Their administrative functions support accountability, but the existence of a digital entry does not independently establish effective service delivery.

  6. Q6. A Panchayat has a development responsibility and adequate funds but cannot obtain necessary technical assistance. Which dimension of decentralisation is most directly missing?

    1. Functions
    2. Functionaries and skills
    3. The title of the scheme
    4. The number of listed subjects alone
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (B) Functionaries and skills

    Explanation

    Correct Answer: (B). The situation describes a shortage of people or skills required to carry out an assigned task. Responsibilities and money alone cannot substitute for technical capacity. Functions identify the task, funds provide resources, and functionaries supply the personnel and expertise needed to turn the plan into implementation.

  7. Q7. Assertion (A): Uploading a completion photograph does not by itself prove reliable year-round service. Reason (R): A digital entry should be complemented by physical checks and feedback from users. Select the correct answer.

    1. A is true, but R is false
    2. A is false, but R is true
    3. Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A
    4. Both A and R are true, but R does not correctly explain A
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (C) Both A and R are true, and R correctly explains A

    Explanation

    Correct Answer: (C). Both statements are true, and the reason explains the assertion. A photograph records a limited observation and cannot establish continuing functionality or access. Physical verification and user feedback help assess whether a reported asset actually delivers the intended service, rather than merely appearing complete in administrative records.

  8. Q8. Which observation is a public outcome rather than merely an administrative output?

    1. A development plan is uploaded
    2. A training attendance list is completed
    3. An audit report is prepared
    4. Residents receive reliable and accessible drinking-water service
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (D) Residents receive reliable and accessible drinking-water service

    Explanation

    Correct Answer: (D). Reliable and accessible service describes a benefit experienced by residents and is therefore an outcome. Uploaded plans, attendance records and audit reports are administrative outputs. They can contribute to better governance, but their existence alone does not show that the intended service improvement has reached people.

  9. Q9. With reference to own-source revenue of Panchayats, consider the following statements: 1. Taxation powers are subject to the applicable state-law framework. 2. Encouragement of own-source revenue removes the need for transfers to every poor Panchayat. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

    1. 1 only
    2. 2 only
    3. Both 1 and 2
    4. Neither 1 nor 2
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (A) 1 only

    Explanation

    Correct Answer: (A). Statement 1 is correct: Article 243H provides a framework for state legislation rather than unlimited independent taxation. Statement 2 is incorrect because revenue potential differs across areas. Poorer Panchayats may still require predictable transfers to meet service needs, even while improving collection of legally authorised local revenues.

  10. Q10. Which planning approach best illustrates convergence without assuming an automatic transfer of departmental powers?

    1. Preparing unrelated project lists without consultation
    2. Coordinating road and drainage works while retaining applicable departmental responsibilities
    3. Allowing expenditure outside all scheme rules
    4. Treating a village-wide average as sufficient evidence of equal access
    Show answer

    Correct answer: (B) Coordinating road and drainage works while retaining applicable departmental responsibilities

    Explanation

    Correct Answer: (B). Coordinating related works around a local need is convergence. Road and drainage work can be sequenced to avoid damage or duplication while departments retain their responsibilities. Unrelated lists defeat coordination, spending rules still apply, and village averages can conceal differences between a main settlement and outlying hamlets.

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