UPSC Prelims 2000 Q43: Indian Polity – Local Government & Panchayati Raj
- (a) he obtains permission from the principal of his college
- (b) he is a member of a political party
- (c) his name figures in the Voters’ List
- (d) he files a declaration owing allegiance to the Constitution of India
Answer: (c) his name figures in the Voters’ List
Explanation
What a candidate needs to contest a municipal election
| Condition | Required? |
|---|---|
| Name in the electoral roll (voters' list) | Yes — the basic qualification under State municipal laws |
| Minimum age | Yes — 21 years |
| Membership of a political party | No — independents may stand |
| Principal's permission | No |
Under Article 243V read with State municipal laws, a person qualified to vote, aged 21, whose name is in the electoral roll of the municipality, can contest a seat in a Municipal Council.
So a college student can be a candidate if his name figures in the voters' list and he meets the age requirement.
There is no rule requiring permission from a college principal or membership of a political party.
The oath of allegiance to the Constitution applies to MPs and MLAs under Articles 84 and 173; it is not the test for a municipal nomination.
Answer: (c) his name figures in the Voters' List.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. No law asks a candidate for a principal's permission.
- (b) Incorrect. Independent candidates can contest municipal elections.
- (c) CORRECT. Being on the voters' list of the municipality is the basic condition for a valid nomination.
- (d) Incorrect. The allegiance requirement belongs to Parliament and State Legislature candidates, not municipal ones.
Key point
74th Amendment (1992): Article 243V — 21 years and on the electoral roll.
Remember
Municipal candidate: 21 years + name in the electoral roll.
Common mistakes
- Choosing (d) by carrying over the rule for MPs and MLAs.
- Thinking only party candidates can stand.
- Forgetting the minimum age of 21 for local bodies.
Exam tip
Every elected seat in India starts with the voters' list.
Sources
- M. Laxmikanth — Indian Polity
- Constitution of India — Part IXA, Articles 243V and 243ZA (legislative.gov.in)