Consider the following statements regarding the status of local governments in the original Constitution of India (1950): 1. Local government was assigned to the Union List to ensure uniform implementation. 2. It was included in the Directive Principles of State Policy. 3. The provisions regarding local bodies were justiciable in nature. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

The correct option is 2 only. Explanation In the original Constitution of India (1950), local self-government was recognized but not granted the status of a mandatory third tier of federalism. Its implementation was largely left to the discretion of State legislatures based on the division of powers and directive principles. Statement-wise Analysis: - Statement 1 is Incorrect. In the original Constitution, 'Local Government' was a subject enumerated in the State List (List II, Entry 5) of the Seventh Schedule, not the Union List. This meant that State Legislatures had the exclusive power to make laws regarding the constitution and powers of local authorities. - Statement 2 is Correct. The organization of village panchayats was included in Article 40 under Part IV of the Constitution, which deals with the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). It directed the State to take steps to organize village panchayats and endow them with powers to function as units of self-government. - Statement 3 is Incorrect. Since the provision for local bodies (Article 40) was part of the Directive Principles of State Policy, it was governed by Article 37. Article 37 explicitly states that the provisions of Part IV are non-justiciable, meaning they are not enforceable by any court. Consequently, the formation of local bodies was not legally binding until the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts (1992). Key Takeaway: Originally, local government was exclusively a State subject and a non-justiciable Directive Principle (Article 40), lacking mandatory constitutional status or uniform implementation across India.

NCERT Class 11 Political Science — Chapter 8: Local Governments

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Consider the following statements regarding the status of local governments in the original Constitution of India (1950):

Local government was assigned to the Union List to ensure uniform implementation.
It was included in the Directive Principles of State Policy.
The provisions regarding local bodies were justiciable in nature.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

Official previous-year question

Verified 1 Aug 2026.

Options

A2 only
B2 and 3 only
C1, 2 and 3
D1 and 2 only

Did you get this right?

Solution

The correct option is 2 only.

Explanation

In the original Constitution of India (1950), local self-government was recognized but not granted the status of a mandatory third tier of federalism. Its implementation was largely left to the discretion of State legislatures based on the division of powers and directive principles.

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect. In the original Constitution, 'Local Government' was a subject enumerated in the State List (List II, Entry 5) of the Seventh Schedule, not the Union List. This meant that State Legislatures had the exclusive power to make laws regarding the constitution and powers of local authorities.
Statement 2 is Correct. The organization of village panchayats was included in Article 40 under Part IV of the Constitution, which deals with the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). It directed the State to take steps to organize village panchayats and endow them with powers to function as units of self-government.
Statement 3 is Incorrect. Since the provision for local bodies (Article 40) was part of the Directive Principles of State Policy, it was governed by Article 37. Article 37 explicitly states that the provisions of Part IV are non-justiciable, meaning they are not enforceable by any court. Consequently, the formation of local bodies was not legally binding until the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts (1992).

Key Takeaway:
Originally, local government was exclusively a State subject and a non-justiciable Directive Principle (Article 40), lacking mandatory constitutional status or uniform implementation across India.

Your note

More from Chapter 8: Local Governments

Who advocated the vision that "Independence must begin at the bottom" with every village as a republic?

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Which statement characterizes the status of local bodies before the 73rd Amendment?

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With reference to the three-tier structure introduced by the 73rd Amendment, consider the following statements: 1. The Gram Panchayat covers a village or a group of villages. 2. The intermediary level body is mandatory for all states regardless of size. 3. The Zilla Panchayat covers the entire rural area of the district. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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Who constitutes the "Gram Sabha" under the 73rd Amendment?

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Consider the following statements regarding the tenure and dissolution of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs): 1. The standard term for every Panchayat body is five years. 2. If a State government dissolves a Panchayat, fresh elections must be held within one year. 3. The amendment ensures that elected local bodies cannot be dissolved under any circumstance. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

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The correct option is 2 only.

Explanation

Statement-wise Analysis:

Statement 1 is Incorrect. In the original Constitution, 'Local Government' was a subject enumerated in the State List (List II, Entry 5) of the Seventh Schedule, not the Union List. This meant that State Legislatures had the exclusive power to make laws regarding the constitution and powers of local authorities.
Statement 2 is Correct. The organization of village panchayats was included in Article 40 under Part IV of the Constitution, which deals with the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). It directed the State to take steps to organize village panchayats and endow them with powers to function as units of self-government.
Statement 3 is Incorrect. Since the provision for local bodies (Article 40) was part of the Directive Principles of State Policy, it was governed by Article 37. Article 37 explicitly states that the provisions of Part IV are non-justiciable, meaning they are not enforceable by any court. Consequently, the formation of local bodies was not legally binding until the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts (1992).