UPSC Prelims 2025 Q91: Indian Polity – Panchayati Raj
- (a) I and II only
- (b) II and III only
- (c) I and III only
- (d) I, II and III
Answer: (d) I, II and III
Explanation
Panchayati Raj — 73rd Constitutional Amendment (Part IX, Articles 243-243O)
The question asks which statements are NOT correct:
| Statement | Claim | Is it NOT correct? | Why |
|---|---|---|---|
| I | Panchayats at intermediate level exist in ALL States | NOT CORRECT (✓) | Article 243B(1) says States may not have intermediate panchayats if population ≤ 20 lakh. States like Goa and Sikkim do not have a 3-tier structure. |
| II | Minimum age to be Member of intermediate Panchayat = 30 years | NOT CORRECT (✓) | Article 243F: minimum age = 21 years for ALL levels of panchayat (not 30). 30 years is the minimum age for Rajya Sabha membership - a common confusion. |
| III | Chief Minister constitutes commission to review financial position of Panchayats | NOT CORRECT (✓) | Article 243I: it is the GOVERNOR (not Chief Minister) who constitutes the State Finance Commission every 5 years to review financial position of Panchayats and municipalities. |
All three statements are NOT correct → Answer: I, II and III
Panchayati Raj — Key Facts:
| Item | Correct Information |
|---|---|
| Three tiers | Village (Gram), Intermediate (Block), District |
| Minimum age | 21 years (all levels) |
| State Finance Commission | Constituted by Governor, every 5 years |
| Intermediate panchayat | NOT mandatory for States with ≤20 lakh population |
Answer: (d) I, II and III.
Why each option is right or wrong
- (a) Incorrect. 'I and II only' not correct would mean Statement III (Governor constitutes commission) is correct. But Statement III incorrectly says 'Chief Minister' when it should be 'Governor.'
- (b) Incorrect. 'II and III only' not correct would mean Statement I (intermediate in all states) is correct — but intermediate panchayats are NOT required in states with ≤20 lakh population.
- (c) Incorrect. 'I and III only' not correct would mean Statement II (30 years minimum age) is correct — but the minimum age for all panchayat levels is 21 years, not 30.
- (d) CORRECT. All three statements are incorrect: intermediate panchayats are not in ALL states, minimum age is 21 (not 30), and it's the Governor (not CM) who constitutes the State Finance Commission.
Key point
Panchayat minimum age = 21 years (not 30). Governor constitutes State Finance Commission (not CM). Intermediate panchayats NOT mandatory for states with ≤20 lakh population.
Remember
Panchayat minimum age = 21 (not 30). Governor constitutes State Finance Commission (not CM). Intermediate panchayats not required in all states. All 3 statements in question are WRONG.
Common mistakes
- Confusing Panchayat minimum age (21) with Rajya Sabha minimum age (30) — a classic UPSC trap.
- Thinking the Chief Minister heads the State Finance Commission — it's the Governor under Article 243I.
- Assuming all states must have all three tiers — the 73rd Amendment allows flexibility for smaller states.
Exam tip
Panchayat minimum ages: All levels = 21 years. Rajya Sabha = 30 years. Lok Sabha = 25 years. State Finance Commission = Governor, every 5 years (Art. 243I). Intermediate panchayat = not mandatory for ≤20 lakh population states.
Sources
- Constitution of India — Part IX (Panchayats), Article 243B (Constitution of Panchayats), Article 243F (Disqualification), Article 243I (State Finance Commission)
- 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992