Q1. [4]
LOCAL GOVERNMENT
This new system of local government is the largest experiment in democracy conducted anywhere in the world. There are now about 36 lakh elected representatives in the panchayats and municipalities etc., all over the country. This number is bigger than the population of many countries in the world. Constitutional status for local government has helped to deepen democracy in our country. It has also increased women's representation and voice in our democracy. At the same time, there are many difficulties. While elections are held regularly and enthusiastically, gram sabhas are not held regularly. Most state governments have not transferred significant powers to the local governments. Nor have they given adequate resources. We are thus still a long way from realising the ideal of self-government.
Read the following source carefully and answer the questions that follow :
- 36.1 Analyse the significance of the elected representatives in the Panchayats. [1]
- 36.2 In what way has the representation of women in democracy influenced by Constitutional status for local government ? [1]
- 36.3 What has been the impact of granting Constitutional status to local government on the democratic landscape of the country ? Analyse any two impacts. [2]
Previously asked in CBSE board exam
2024 32/1/1 Q36
Generated by claude-sonnet-4-6 · 2026-06-15 07:00 · grounding stimulus
Model Answer
36.1 About 36 lakh elected representatives in panchayats and municipalities make India's local government the largest experiment in democracy in the world — a number greater than the population of many countries, ensuring grassroots democratic participation.
36.2 Granting Constitutional status to local government has increased women's representation and voice in democracy, enabling them to participate actively in decision-making at the local level.
36.3 Two impacts of granting Constitutional status to local government:
- It has helped deepen democracy in the country by bringing governance closer to the people.
- It has increased women's representation and voice, making democracy more inclusive and participatory.
Source: Democratic Politics – II, Chapter: Outcomes of Democracy (Local Government section)
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Explanation
- 36.1 is 1 mark — one clear point about significance (scale/size of representation) is enough.
- 36.2 is 1 mark — directly quote/paraphrase the passage: Constitutional status → increased women's representation.
- 36.3 is 2 marks — two distinct impacts are required. Deepening democracy and women's empowerment are the two explicitly stated in the passage. Avoid bringing in outside points; examiners check alignment with the source.
- Keep answers passage-based — do not add examples not mentioned in the extract.
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