UPSC Prelims 2009 Q83: Indian Polity – Local Government & Panchayati Raj

UPSC Prelims 2009, General Studies Paper I · Indian Polity

In India, the first Municipal Corporation was set up in which one among the following ?

Answer: (b) Madras

Explanation

Where India's first Municipal Corporation was set up

Urban local self-government in India has a specific pioneering city.

Option	Verdict	Reason
(a) Calcutta	Incorrect	Had early municipal institutions, but not the very first Municipal Corporation
(b) Madras	Correct	Madras (Chennai) established India's first Municipal Corporation, in 1688, under British colonial administration
(c) Bombay	Incorrect	Established its corporation later than Madras
(d) Delhi	Incorrect	Established its municipal body much later

India's first Municipal Corporation:

Point	Detail
City	Madras (Chennai)
Year	1688

Answer: (b) Madras.

(a) Incorrect. Calcutta had early municipal structures, but not the very first corporation.
(b) CORRECT. Madras established India's first Municipal Corporation in 1688.
(c) Incorrect. Bombay's corporation came later than Madras's.
(d) Incorrect. Delhi's municipal body was established much later.

Madras (Chennai) established India's first Municipal Corporation, in 1688.

India's first Municipal Corporation was set up in Madras.

Assuming Calcutta or Bombay, as other major colonial cities, must have had the first municipal corporation.
Not knowing the specific 1688 date for Madras's pioneering municipal institution.
Confusing early municipal institutions with the specific 'first Corporation' designation.

India's first Municipal Corporation = Madras (Chennai), 1688. A specific, foundational urban-governance fact.