Prelims · Polity & governance · 6 questions

Panchayati Raj & local government

Every UPSC Prelims question on this topic, 2016–2026, newest first. Tap an option to check yourself; the answer and explanation open below it.

Asked in 4 of 11 years · most in 2026 (1)

UPSC syllabus: “Indian Polity and Governance-Constitution, Political System, Panchayati Raj, Public Policy, Rights Issues, etc.” See the full syllabus →

Prelims 2016 · Q40

Easy

With reference to the ‘Gram Nyayalaya Act’, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1.As per the Act, Gram Nyayalayas can hear only civil cases and not criminal cases.
2.The Act allows local social activists as mediators/reconciliators.

Select the correct answer using the code given below.

Answer & explanation

Answer: (b) 2 only

Under the Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008 the village courts hear both civil and criminal cases, so statement 1 is wrong. The Act does let village-level social workers act as conciliators, so statement 2 is correct.

✗ 1. Section 11 says a Gram Nyayalaya exercises both civil and criminal jurisdiction, in the manner and to the extent the Act provides.
✓ 2. Section 27 has the District Court prepare a panel of village-level social workers of integrity to serve as Conciliators, and the Gram Nyayalaya is to try to settle disputes by conciliation.

Remember · Gram Nyayalayas (Act of 2008) are village courts with both civil and criminal jurisdiction, and they use village-level social workers as conciliators.

Sources

Gram Nyayalayas Act, 2008, Section 11 (India Code, archived copy) ↗ “the Gram Nyayalaya shall exercise both civil and criminal jurisdiction in the manner and to the extent provided under this Act. … the District Court shall, in consultation with the District Magistrate, prepare a panel consisting of the names of social workers at the village level having integrity for appointment as Conciliators”

Question and answer: UPSC's official GS Paper I (2016, Series A) — paper ↗ · answer key ↗. Explanation: Minimalist IAS, checked 30 Sept 2026 (how we verify). Permalink ·

Prelims 2016 · Q100

Easy

Consider the following statements:

1.The minimum age prescribed for any person to be a member of Panchayat is 25 years.
2.A Panchayat reconstituted after premature dissolution continues only for the remainder period.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Answer & explanation

Answer: (b) 2 only

Statement 2 is correct and statement 1 is wrong. Article 243E(4) says a Panchayat formed after an early dissolution lasts only for the remainder of the dissolved body's five-year term, while Article 243F lets a person be a Panchayat member from the age of 21.

✗ 1. Article 243F(1)(a) applies the State Legislature's age qualification but adds that no one can be disqualified for being under twenty-five if he has attained twenty-one years. The minimum age for a Panchayat member is therefore 21, not 25.
✓ 2. Article 243E(4) says a Panchayat constituted after an early dissolution continues only for the remainder of the period for which the dissolved Panchayat would have continued, so it does not get a fresh five-year term.

Remember · Panchayat members: minimum age 21 (Art. 243F). A Panchayat set up after premature dissolution serves only the remainder of the old term (Art. 243E(4)); fresh election within six months.