Practice MCQ Questions and answers on Indian Politics-GK

Through three tier structure of Panchayats, India provided for democratic decentralization and grassroot democracy. Three tier includes Zila Panchayat at district level, Block Panchayat or Panchayat Samiti at block or intermediate level and Gram Panchayat at village level. Though Gram Sabha is not a tier of Panchayati Raj System, at village level it works as foundation stone of whole system of Panchayati Raj. It works as recommending body only.

Under Article-243(G)Panchayats in India has been conferred with 29 functional items to work at. These include providing sanitation and drainage, providing burial and cremation grounds, maintenance of roads, welfare of weaker sections, rural housing, fisheries etc. It also includes adult and non-formal education but does not include college education.

42nd Amendment Act 1976 through Article-31(C) gave precedence to all Directive Principles of State Policy over Fundamental Rights. Later on in Minerva Mills case 1980, Supreme Court struck down 42nd Amendment act related to Article-31(C) and upheld the importance of Fundamental Rights over DPSP except directives under Article-39(B) and 39(C) which are given primacy over Fundamental Rights under article-14.

43rd Amendment Act 1976 through Article-31(C) gave precedence to all Directive Principles of State Policy over Fundamental Rights. Later on in Minerva Mills case 1980, Supreme Court struck down 42nd Amendment act related to Article-31(C) and upheld the imance of Fundamental Rights over DPSP except directives under Article-39(B) and 39(C) which are given primacy over Fundamental Rights under article-14. .

Article-335 provides for the directive of reservation for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in public services. This is one of the directives outside Part-IV. Other directives outside Part-IV are directive under Article-350(A) and Article-351 which talks about instruction in mother tongue at primary stage of education and duty of Union to Promote the spread of Hindi language respectively.

Article-36 to 51 under Part-IV of constitution provides for Directive Principles of State Policy. It is a set of philosophy to make India into a welfare state. Article-39 contains certain principles of policy which are to be followed by the state. These include adequate means of livelihood to men and women equally equal pay for equal work to both men and women and healthy environment for children to develop etc.

Article-37 under Part-IV of the Indian Constitution talks about the application of the Directive Principles of State Policy. According to this article directives under Part-IV are non-enforceable by any court but they are fundamental in governance of the country. State should keep these principles in mind while formulating policies and enacting laws.

Article-39(A) which deals with Directive Principles of State Policy ensures "Equal justice and free legal aid" by the State to its citizens. 42nd Amendment act 1976 added this article into the constitution. According to this article State shall ensure that equal opportunities for securing justice are not denied to any citizen by reason of economic or other disability.

Article-40 of the Indian constitution provides directive for the State to organise village panchayats and endow them with such powers to enable them to function as units of self government.

Article-40 of the Indian constitution provides directive for the State to organise village panchayats and endow them with such powers to enable them to function as units of self government.