UPSC Prelims 2017 · Question 91 of 99

UPSC Prelims 2017 question on Local Self Government Decentralisation

Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in

  1. Federalism
  2. Democratic decentralization
  3. Administrative delegation
  4. Direct democracy
Show answer

Answer: B. Democratic decentralization

Verdict

The answer is democratic decentralisation. Local self government is best explained as an exercise in democratic decentralisation.

Analysis

The Balwant Rai Mehta Committee, appointed in 1957 to examine the Community Development Programme and the National Extension Service, recommended the establishment of a scheme of democratic decentralisation, which came to be known as Panchayati Raj. The phrase captures both elements: decentralisation because power moves downward, and democratic because the recipient body is elected rather than appointed. Administrative delegation is wrong because delegation to officials is not democratic, federalism concerns the Union and States rather than local bodies, and direct democracy describes decision by the whole citizenry rather than by elected councils.

Source

M. Laxmikanth, Indian Polity, chapter on Panchayati Raj.

How to crack it

Distinguish deconcentration, delegation, devolution and decentralisation, because the options are drawn from that family and the differences are precise. Local self government involves devolution to elected bodies, which is why the democratic qualifier matters. Note also that federalism in India is a two tier Union and State concept, and the Seventy Third and Seventy Fourth Amendments added a third tier without making local bodies a federal unit.

More questions on Local Government (Panchayats and Municipalities)

All 10 questions on Local Government (Panchayats and Municipalities) →

← Full 2017 question paper · All Polity questions