UPSC Mains 2023 GS2 Q3: model answer
“The states in India seem reluctant to empower urban local bodies both functionally as well as financially.” Comment.
What the question wants
Evidence that States have not devolved functions and funds to ULBs, reasons, and remedies.
How to structure it
Intro: 74th Amendment (1992), Twelfth Schedule with 18 functions. Body: (1) Functional: incomplete devolution, parastatals, State control, weak mayors, delayed elections; (2) Financial: low own revenue (under 1% of GDP), dependence on grants, SFC reports ignored, property tax under-collected; (3) Reasons: State politics, capacity; (4) Exceptions: Kerala. Conclusion: implement 15th FC conditions, empower mayors.
- 1(1) Functional: incomplete devolution, parastatals, State control, weak mayors, delayed elections
- 2(2) Financial: low own revenue (under 1% of GDP), dependence on grants, SFC reports ignored, property tax under-collected
- 3(3) Reasons: State politics, capacity
- 4(4) Exceptions: Kerala
Model answer
The 74th Amendment (1992) gave constitutional status to urban local bodies (ULBs) and listed 18 functions in the Twelfth Schedule. But devolution is left to the States, and most have held back.
Functional reluctance
- Many of the 18 functions, such as urban planning and water supply, remain with State departments or parastatals like development authorities.
- Mayors are mostly ceremonial; power lies with State-appointed commissioners.
- Elections are often delayed, despite Article 243U.
Financial reluctance
- Municipal revenue is under 1% of GDP, against several times that in other large economies (RBI report on municipal finances, 2022).
- Property tax is poorly assessed and collected.
- State Finance Commissions are delayed and their reports ignored.
- Heavy dependence on tied grants.
Exceptions: Kerala devolved funds and staff after its 1996 People's Plan campaign.
The 15th Finance Commission linked grants to property-tax floors and audited accounts. Directly elected mayors with real powers, timely SFCs and own revenue would make cities self-governing.
Keywords, cases and data to drop in
74th Amendment Twelfth Schedule parastatals State Finance Commission property tax
Where most answers lose marks
- No data.
- Ignoring functional devolution.
Fresh examples from current affairs
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6 Oct 2026
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UPSC angle: Mains: why Gram Sabhas fail to function; remedies.
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Question text as printed in the official UPSC question paper: https://www.upsc.gov.in/sites/default/files/QP-CSM-23-GENERAL-STUDIES-PAPER-II-180923.pdf The model answer is original Battle IAS work; use it to learn structure, not to memorise.