Aspirant Academy

Economy

Model Answer Frameworks

Rural Development, Panchayati Raj, State Finance Commission

Paper I · Unit 2 Section 10 of 14 0 PYQs 35 min
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Model Answer Frameworks

5-Mark Answer Template A (50 words)

Question: What is the composition and fund distribution formula of the three-tier Panchayati Raj system in Rajasthan?

Model Answer:

Rajasthan's Panchayati Raj, under the Act 1994, has three tiers: 33 Zila Parishads (district), 365 Panchayat Samitis (block), and 11,194 Gram Panchayats (village). Under the 6th SFC devolution, funds are distributed as Gram Panchayat 75%, Panchayat Samiti 20%, and Zila Parishad 5%, prioritizing grassroots governance.

Word budget: Structure + numbers (25 words) + Fund ratio (15 words) + Principle (10 words) = 50 words

5-Mark Answer Template B (50 words)

Question: What was the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Amendment 2026 and what was its significance?

Model Answer:

The Rajasthan Panchayati Raj (Amendment) Bill 2026, passed March 8-9, 2026, deleted Section 19 of the 1994 Act, scrapping the 31-year-old two-child norm for Panchayat elections introduced in 1995. It also removed leprosy-based disqualification. The amendment widens democratic participation across 11,194 Gram Panchayats.

Word budget: What (15 words) + Section amended (15 words) + Historical note (10 words) + Significance (10 words) = 50 words

5-Mark Answer Template C (50 words)

Question: What is the State Finance Commission and what role does it play in Rajasthan?

Model Answer:

The State Finance Commission (SFC) is constituted under Article 243-I of the Constitution every five years by the Governor. It recommends devolution of state taxes to Panchayats. Rajasthan's 6th SFC allocated ₹4,000 crore in 2024-25, with 37,394 works completed, strengthening grassroots financial autonomy.

Word budget: Definition (15 words) + Constitutional basis (10 words) + Function (10 words) + Rajasthan data (15 words) = 50 words

10-Mark Answer Template (150 words)

Question: Discuss the constitutional provisions for Panchayati Raj and evaluate their implementation in Rajasthan with reference to financial devolution and rural development programs.

Model Answer:

Introduction: The 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992) added Part IX (Articles 243–243-O) and the Eleventh Schedule (29 subjects) to constitutionalize Panchayati Raj.

Key Points:

  1. Rajasthan, the first state to launch Panchayati Raj (Nagaur, October 2, 1959), enacted the Rajasthan Panchayati Raj Act 1994. The state has 33 Zila Parishads, 365 Panchayat Samitis, and 11,194 Gram Panchayats. Women's reservation was enhanced to 50% (above the constitutional minimum of 1/3).

  2. Financial devolution operates through two channels: the 15th Finance Commission (₹2,203.29 crore transferred, 42,028 works, 2024-25) and the 6th SFC (₹621.07 crore transferred, 37,394 works). Fund ratio: GP 75%, PS 20%, ZP 5%.

  3. Rural development: MGNREGS employed 53.28 lakh households (₹7,676.98 crore, April–December 2024). Svamitva Yojana distributed 6,85,935 property cards in 35,955 villages.

  4. Governance innovations include Jan Soochna Portal (2019, 280+ schemes), Right to Hearing Act 2012 (India's first), and the 2026 amendment scrapping the 31-year two-child disqualification.

Conclusion: Rajasthan's Panchayati Raj combines constitutional depth, progressive reservation, and significant financial flows — though effective devolution of all 29 Schedule 11 subjects remains an ongoing challenge.

Word budget: Introduction (20) + Point 1 (35) + Point 2 (35) + Point 3 (25) + Point 4 (20) + Conclusion (20) = ~155 words