1. What is democracy?
👉 Rule by the people
2. What is grassroots democracy?
👉 Local-level governance
3. Name the main body of local governance in villages.
👉 Panchayat
4. What is Panchayati Raj?
👉 System of village self-governance
5. How many levels are there in Panchayati Raj?
👉 Three: Village, Block, District
6. Name the head of a village Panchayat.
👉 Sarpanch
7. What is Gram Sabha?
👉 Assembly of all village adults
8. What is the role of Gram Sabha?
👉 Approves plans, monitors works
9. What is Block-level governance called?
👉 Panchayat Samiti
10. What is District-level governance called?
👉 Zila Parishad
11. Who are members of Panchayat Samiti?
👉 Elected representatives of villages
12. Who are members of Zila Parishad?
👉 Elected representatives from blocks
13. What is decentralization?
👉 Power shared with local bodies
14. Why is grassroots democracy important?
👉 Participation, accountability, local development
15. Name one function of a Panchayat.
👉 Road construction, water supply, schools
16. How are Panchayat members elected?
👉 Direct election by villagers
17. What is the term of a Panchayat?
👉 Five years
18. How does Panchayati Raj help poor people?
👉 Ensures access to resources and welfare schemes
19. Name one scheme implemented by Panchayats.
👉 MGNREGA (employment guarantee)
20. What is governance?
👉 Process of ruling and managing public affairs
21. Who supervises Panchayat activities?
👉 State government and Gram Sabha
22. How do Panchayats raise funds?
👉 Taxes, grants, government schemes
23. Name one responsibility of Panchayats.
👉 Education, sanitation, water management
24. What is accountability in governance?
👉 Answering for decisions and actions
25. How does democracy reach villages?
👉 Through Panchayati Raj system
26. What is the advantage of local governance?
👉 Quick decisions, local participation
27. How are women represented in Panchayati Raj?
👉 Reservation of seats (usually 33%)
28. How do Panchayats maintain transparency?
👉 Public meetings and Gram Sabha discussions
29. Name one challenge of grassroots democracy.
👉 Corruption or lack of awareness
30. Why is Panchayati Raj called the “heart of democracy”?
👉 Empowers citizens at local level
📌 Quick Revision Box
Key Terms:
- Democracy: Rule by the people
- Grassroots democracy: Local self-governance
- Panchayati Raj: Village governance system
- Gram Sabha: Village assembly of adults
- Sarpanch: Head of Panchayat
Levels of Panchayati Raj:
- Village: Panchayat → Sarpanch
- Block: Panchayat Samiti
- District: Zila Parishad
Functions of Panchayats:
- Roads, schools, water supply
- Employment schemes
- Local planning and monitoring
Principles:
- Decentralization
- Participation
- Accountability