23 Questions
What are the three levels at which elections occur in India?
National, State, and Local
How are members of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house, elected?
Indirectly
What is the name of the lower house of Parliament, where members are directly elected?
Lok Sabha
What is unique about India's system of government?
The three-tier system—Union, State, and Local Government
What is the system of election used to decide the winner in national level elections?
First-past-the-post system
What was the significance of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts?
They institutionalized Panchayati Raj System for rural areas and Municipal Governance for urban areas
What is the purpose of the Gram Sabha or Ward Sabha?
A grassroots deliberative body where all registered voters can participate, discuss local issues, question representatives, and approve plans and budgets.
What is the role of the State Election Commission in local self-government?
To conduct free and fair elections for local self-government bodies, ensuring independent oversight.
How can individuals promote good governance at the local level?
By actively participating in the electoral process, staying informed about local issues, recognizing the importance of local governance, and holding elected representatives accountable.
What is the significance of reservation of seats in local self-government bodies?
To ensure fair representation of Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and women.
What are the key principles of good governance?
Accountability, transparency, responsiveness, and inclusiveness in decision-making.
Why is it important for citizens to participate in Gram Sabhas and Ward Meetings?
To hold elected representatives accountable and ensure that local governance is responsive to their needs.
What is the primary difference between government and governance?
Government refers to political machinery and institutional arrangements, whereas governance encompasses policy formulation and implementation for organizational and societal development.
What is the key requirement for ensuring accountability in governance?
Transparency and the rule of law.
What are the three principles of good governance emphasized in India's Constitution?
Inclusivity, accountability, and transparency.
What is the purpose of the Right to Information Act in the context of good governance?
To empower citizens and ensure accountability.
What is the ultimate goal of good governance initiatives in India, such as MGNREGA and RTE Act?
Citizen empowerment and welfare.
What are the four key dimensions of good governance highlighted in a 1989 World Bank study?
Public sector management, accountability, legal framework for development, and information and transparency.
What is the significance of 'participation' in good governance?
Equal involvement of all members of society in decision-making processes.
What is the importance of 'rule of law' in good governance?
Ensuring fair legal frameworks and impartial enforcement, protecting human rights and minorities, and providing free legal aid to the needy.
What is the characteristic of good governance that ensures institutions address stakeholders' needs?
Responsiveness.
How does good governance ensure that all members of society feel included?
By providing opportunities for well-being improvement, particularly for vulnerable groups.
What is the outcome of effective and efficient processes and institutions in good governance?
Producing results that meet societal needs while optimizing resource utilization sustainably.
Test your knowledge of India's democratic system, including the election process and roles of local self-government bodies. Learn about the different levels of elections in India and how citizens participate in the democratic process.
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