Federalism, emergency provisions, local government: previous-year questions
23 real UPSC Prelims questions (2011–2026) with the official answer and a clear explanation. 8 of them came in the last five papers.
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In the areas covered under the Panchayat (Extension to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996, what is the role/power of Gram Sabha?
- 1. Gram Sabha has the power to prevent alienation of land in the Scheduled Areas.
- 2. Gram Sabha has the ownership of minor forest produce.
- 3. Recommendation of Gram Sabha is required for granting prospecting licence or mining lease for any mineral in the Scheduled Areas.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Answer (b) & explanation
Statements 1 and 2 are correct per UPSC's key (b), but this key is doubtful. Under PESA (1996), the Gram Sabha has power to prevent alienation of land in Scheduled Areas and to restore land unlawfully taken (1), and holds ownership of minor forest produce (2). Statement 3 is the doubt: PESA requires the recommendation of the Gram Sabha or the panchayat at the appropriate level before prospecting licences or mining leases are granted, so the role is not exclusively the Gram Sabha's, and UPSC left it out; many books mark (d). (a) and (c) fail on any reading.
Notice the related rulings: the Samatha (1997) and Niyamgiri (2013) judgements upheld tribal consent over mining. Several states, lately Jharkhand (January 2026), have framed PESA rules.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
The Constitution (Seventy-Third Amendment) Act, 1992, which aims at promoting the Panchayati Raj Institutions in the country, provides for which of the following ?
- 1. Constitution of District Planning Committees.
- 2. State Election Commissions to conduct all panchayat elections.
- 3. Establishment of State Finance Commissions.
Select the correct answer using the codes given below :
Answer (d) & explanation
UPSC's official key is (d), all three, but this key is doubtful. The 73rd Amendment (1992) clearly created State Election Commissions to conduct all panchayat elections (Article 243K, statement 2) and State Finance Commissions, set up every five years to review panchayat finances (Article 243I, statement 3). Statement 1 is the problem: District Planning Committees sit in Article 243ZD, in Part IXA on municipalities, inserted by the 74th Amendment. The official key counts them because DPCs consolidate the plans of panchayats too, so many books argue (c). For the exam, follow the official key, but know the article numbers.
Notice the related items: the 73rd Amendment added the Eleventh Schedule (29 subjects), a five-year term (243E) and one-third reservation for women (243D). National Panchayati Raj Day is 24 April.
Official UPSC key: (d). Some sources print (c); we follow the official key.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.
Consider the following statements :
In India, a Metropolitan Planning Committee
- 1. is constituted under the provisions of the Constitution of India.
- 2. prepares the draft development plans for metropolitan area.
- 3. has the sole responsibility for implementing Government sponsored schemes in the metropolitan area.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct ?
Answer (a) & explanation
Statements 1 and 2 are correct (a). Article 243ZE, added by the 74th Amendment (1992), provides a Metropolitan Planning Committee for every metropolitan area, defined as a population of 10 lakh or more (1). The MPC prepares the draft development plan for the whole metropolitan area (2). Statement 3 is wrong: the MPC is a planning body; schemes are carried out by state agencies, development authorities and municipalities, so it has no sole responsibility. So (b), (c) and (d) fail.
Notice the related body: District Planning Committees (Article 243ZD) consolidate rural and urban plans. In practice, many states have not set up working MPCs; Kolkata's is often cited as the active one. Trap: 'sole' makes statement 3 an overreach.
Answer as per the official UPSC answer key.