Keywords to Remember
- Urban Local Bodies
Local self-government institutions in towns and cities responsible for civic administration and infrastructure. - Nagar Panchayat
A local body for a transitional area, i.e., a town which is between a rural and urban area. - Municipal Council (Nagar Parishad)
A governing body for cities with populations between 20,000 and 10 lakhs. - Municipal Corporation (Nagar Nigam)
The governing body for large cities with populations over 10 lakhs. - Ward
A division or area of a city represented by an elected councillor in urban local bodies. - Municipal Councillor
An elected representative of a ward in a municipality. - Mayor
The elected head of a Municipal Corporation. - Deputy Mayor
The elected official who acts for the Mayor in their absence. - Municipal Commissioner
The administrative head appointed by the state government to implement the decisions of the Municipal Corporation. - Civic Amenities
Public services provided by local bodies, such as water supply, sanitation, roads, street lighting, etc. - Octroi
A local tax on goods entering a city or town, often abolished in many places. - Toll Tax
A fee charged for using certain roads or bridges to maintain them. - Sanitation
Measures and systems to promote cleanliness and prevent disease. - Hygiene
Conditions and practices that help maintain health and prevent disease. - Epidemics
The rapid spread of contagious diseases affecting a large number of people. - Revenue
Income collected by the government or local bodies to meet public expenses. - Grant
Financial assistance given by the government for specific purposes. - Tehsil
A sub-division of a district, administered by a Tehsildar. - Tehsildar
An official responsible for land records and revenue collection at the tehsil level. - Kanungo
A supervisory official under the Tehsildar overseeing patwaris. - Patwari (Lekhpal)
An official who maintains land records and collects land revenue in a village or urban area. - Deputy Commissioner (District Collector)
The chief administrative and revenue officer of a district. - IAS (Indian Administrative Service)
The premier civil service of India, officers who serve as top administrators. - Financial Assistance
Support given in the form of money to help local bodies carry out their functions. - Civic Responsibility
Duties and obligations of citizens towards the community and government. - Public Health Centre
A local government healthcare facility providing primary health services. - Public Transport
Transport services provided for use by the general public. - Pollution Control
Measures aimed at reducing or eliminating pollution. - License Fee
A charge collected for granting permission to carry out certain activities or businesses. - Administrative Control
The supervision and management of government operations by appointed officials.
Something To Know
A. Tick (✔ ) the correct option.
- The Chairperson of a Municipal Corporation is called ̶
(a) Mayor
(b) Chief Councillor
(c) Municipal Head
(d) Municipal Commissioner
Answer – (a) Mayor
- A Municipal Corporation is also known as ̶
(a) Nagar Parishad
(b) Nagar Nigam
(c) Nagar Palika
(d) Nagar Panchayat
Answer – (b) Nagar Nigam
- The semi-urban areas which are gradually developing into cities have a ̶
(a) Municipal Corporation
(b) Municipal Council
(c) Nagar Panchayat
(d) Gram Panchayat
Answer – (c) Nagar Panchayat
- The cities with a population of 20,000 to 10 lakhs have ̶
(a) Municipal Council
(b) Nagar Panchayat
(c) Nagar Nigam
(d) Nyaya Panchayat
Answer – (a) Municipal Council
- The cities with more than 10 lakh population have ̶
(a) Municipal Board
(b) Municipal Council
(c) Municipal Committee
(d) Municipal Corporation
Answer – (d) Municipal Corporation
B. Fill in the blanks.
- Cleanliness and sanitation is the responsibility of ____________________ in small towns.
Answer – Nagar Panchayat
- The minimum age for contesting the Municipal Council elections is ________________ .
Answer – 21 years
- The main cause of rapid growth of population in big cities is due to the inflow of __________________.
Answer – migrants from rural areas.
- The Chairperson of a Nagar Panchayat is elected by the _____________________ whereas the Deputy Chairperson is elected by the _____________________ .
Answer – people directly, members themselves.
- A Municipal Council is also called ____________________ in some states.
Answer – Nagar Parishad
C. Write True or False for the following statements.
- There are 604 districts in India. _____________
Answer – False (There are over 676 districts)
- The Seventy Sixth Amendment Act of 1992 provided three types of urban local bodies. _____________
Answer – False (It is the Seventy Fourth Amendment Act)
- The Municipalities are formed by nominating its members. _____________
Answer – False (They are elected by people)
- Nagar Panchayat is the smallest local body in urban areas. _____________
Answer – True
- The Municipal Corporation works through various committees. _____________
Answer – True
D. Answer the following questions in brief.
- Name three urban self-governing bodies.
Answer – Nagar Panchayat, Municipal Council (Nagar Parishad), Municipal Corporation (Nagar Nigam).
- Give three functions of a Municipal Commissioner.
Answer – Implements decisions of the Municipal Corporation, supervises the work of the Corporation, acts as a link between the State Government and the Corporation.
- Mention two sources of income of a Nagar Parishad.
Answer – Taxes (water tax, house tax, vehicle tax), financial assistance from State Government.
- Name any three committees of a Municipal Corporation and their main functions.
Answer – Education Committee (manages schools), Water Supply Committee (manages drinking water), Sanitation Committee (handles cleanliness and garbage removal).
- What is the Chairperson of a Muncipal Corporation known as?
Answer – Mayor.
E. Answer the following questions.
- Describe any five main functions of Municipal Corporation.
Answer – Sanitation and cleanliness, vaccination against diseases, supply of fresh drinking water, construction and maintenance of roads and bridges, opening schools and hospitals.
- How is the management of big cities quite different?
Answer – Big cities have more complex problems, so Municipal Corporations work through various committees, have a Mayor, Deputy Mayor, and a Municipal Commissioner to manage different functions effectively.
- What are the main sources of income of a Municipal Corporation?
Answer – Water tax, octroi, property tax, entertainment tax, toll tax, rent from municipal properties, license fees, and financial grants from the State Government.
- Mention some problems being faced by the big cities these days.
Answer – Overcrowding due to migration, strain on civic amenities, pollution, traffic congestion, shortage of housing and healthcare facilities.
- List three important functions of the Deputy Commissioner in district administration.
Answer – Maintaining law and order, collecting revenue and maintaining land records, coordinating activities of different departments in the district.
Value Based Question
Raju lives in Allahabad. In summer vacations, he visited his aunt in the United States. He not only enjoyed the trip, but was very happy to see clean and green cities and towns of Texas state. But when he came back to India, he was again depressed and disappointed. But with a big difference, now he was wide awake, well aware and more duty-conscious.
- What brought a big change in Raju’s thought and actions?
Answer – His visit to the clean and green cities in the United States made him aware of the importance of cleanliness and civic responsibility in urban areas.
- Highlight any three advantages of a clean city.
Answer – Better health and hygiene, reduced diseases and epidemics, improved quality of life.
- Why are green cities considered as an asset for future generations?
Answer – Because they provide a pollution-free environment, promote better health, and ensure sustainable living conditions for future generations.
Something To Do
- Identify the cities in India which have more than one corporation and why?
Answer – Cities like Delhi and Mumbai have more than one corporation due to their large size and population requiring multiple governing bodies for efficient administration.
- Suppose you invite the Municipal Councillor of your area to your school. List five questions that you would like to ask him/her.
Answer – What steps are being taken to improve drinking water supply?
How do you plan to manage waste disposal?
Are there plans to improve public transport in our area?
How is the municipality supporting health-care facilities?
What can citizens do to help keep the city clean?
- Prepare a list of problems that people face in the villages as well as cities. Consult your parents, grandparents, local officials, neighbours, the artisans, etc. Then present these problems and possible solutions with a PowerPoint presentation and graphics.
Answer – Do it yourself.
- Prepare a comparative flow diagram showing rural and urban problems. Try to evolve possible solutions through group discussions in the class.
Answer – Do it yourself.
Additional Questions Ans Answers – 01
Fill in the blanks (with answers)
- Municipal Councillors are elected from __________ in a city.
Answer: wards - One-third of the seats in each municipality are reserved for __________.
Answer: women - Octroi is a tax levied on __________ entering a city.
Answer: goods - The Municipal Corporation Chairperson is called the __________.
Answer: Mayor - The term of a Municipal Councillor is __________ years.
Answer: five - The Deputy Mayor is elected by the __________.
Answer: members of the Municipal Corporation - The Municipal Commissioner is appointed by the __________ Government.
Answer: State - A Tehsildar looks after the collection of __________ revenue.
Answer: land - The smallest urban local body is the __________.
Answer: Nagar Panchayat - The main responsibility of urban local bodies is to provide __________ amenities.
Answer: civic
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) with answers
- Which body manages a city with population above 10 lakhs?
(a) Nagar Panchayat
(b) Municipal Council
(c) Municipal Corporation
(d) Gram Panchayat
Answer: (c) Municipal Corporation - Who elects the Chairperson of a Nagar Panchayat?
(a) State Government
(b) Members of Nagar Panchayat
(c) People directly
(d) Municipal Commissioner
Answer: (c) People directly - Which of the following is NOT a function of the Municipal Corporation?
(a) Fire fighting services
(b) Managing schools
(c) Collection of income tax
(d) Construction of roads
Answer: (c) Collection of income tax - The Executive Officer in a Municipal Council is appointed by —
(a) Central Government
(b) State Government
(c) Municipal Corporation
(d) Voters
Answer: (b) State Government - The term “octroi” refers to a tax on —
(a) Houses
(b) Vehicles
(c) Goods entering a city
(d) Water supply
Answer: (c) Goods entering a city - What is the minimum age to become a Municipal Councillor?
(a) 18 years
(b) 21 years
(c) 25 years
(d) 30 years
Answer: (b) 21 years - Which committee in the Municipal Corporation looks after the water supply?
(a) Education Committee
(b) Sanitation Committee
(c) Water Supply Committee
(d) Health Committee
Answer: (c) Water Supply Committee
True/False with answers
- Municipal Councillors are appointed by the State Government.
Answer: False - The Municipal Commissioner implements decisions of the Municipal Corporation.
Answer: True - The Deputy Chairperson of a Nagar Panchayat is elected directly by the people.
Answer: False - Municipal Councils are responsible for opening community centres.
Answer: True - Toll tax is collected to maintain parks and playgrounds.
Answer: False (It is for roads and bridges) - A Patwari maintains land revenue records.
Answer: True - Nagar Panchayat is responsible for maintaining primary schools.
Answer: True
Short Questions with answers
- What is the function of a Nagar Panchayat?
Answer: To solve local problems, provide water and electricity, maintain sanitation, parks, schools, and keep birth/death records. - Who elects the Municipal Councillors?
Answer: The people directly through elections. - What role does the Municipal Commissioner play?
Answer: Implements decisions of the Corporation and supervises its work. - Why is the population size important in urban local bodies?
Answer: It determines the type of body (Nagar Panchayat, Municipal Council, or Corporation) and the number of wards. - Name any two taxes collected by Municipal Corporations.
Answer: Property tax and entertainment tax.
Competency Based Questions (Reasoning and Assertion) with answers
- Assertion: Municipal Corporations have various committees to handle different city functions.
Reason: Big cities face complex problems that require specialized focus.
Answer: Both assertion and reason are true, and reason explains the assertion. - Assertion: Octroi tax is an important source of income for all urban local bodies today.
Reason: Octroi has been abolished in many states.
Answer: Assertion is false, reason is true. - Assertion: One-third of municipal seats are reserved for women.
Reason: Women’s representation ensures better governance and inclusiveness.
Answer: Both assertion and reason are true, and reason explains assertion. - Assertion: The Municipal Commissioner is elected by the people.
Reason: The Municipal Commissioner handles administration under the State Government.
Answer: Assertion is false, reason is true.
High Order Thinking Skill (HOTS) Questions with answers
- How does migration from rural to urban areas affect the functioning of urban local bodies?
Answer: Migration increases city population rapidly, leading to overcrowding, which strains civic amenities like water, electricity, health-care, and transport, making urban governance more challenging. - Discuss how decentralization of urban governance into Nagar Panchayats, Municipal Councils, and Corporations helps in better management.
Answer: It allows tailored governance based on population size and needs; smaller towns have Nagar Panchayats focusing on basic amenities, while bigger cities have Corporations with specialized committees for complex services, improving efficiency. - Why is the role of a Municipal Commissioner critical in the functioning of Municipal Corporations?
Answer: The Commissioner implements policies, coordinates between government and corporation, ensures execution of projects, and maintains administration, thus crucial for smooth urban governance. - What are the consequences of inadequate urban local body management in rapidly growing cities?
Answer: It leads to poor sanitation, water shortages, traffic congestion, spread of diseases, environmental pollution, and deteriorated quality of life.
Long Questions (40-50 words) with answers
- Explain the composition and functions of Nagar Panchayat.
Answer: Nagar Panchayat is for semi-urban areas transitioning from villages to towns. Its members depend on population, with Chairperson elected directly by people. Functions include solving local problems, providing water, sanitation, healthcare, maintaining parks, schools, and recording births/deaths. - Describe the sources of income for Municipal Councils.
Answer: Municipal Councils earn income from various taxes such as water tax, house tax, vehicle tax, and rent from municipal properties. They also receive annual financial grants from the State Government to help manage civic services. - How do Municipal Corporations manage the complexity of large cities?
Answer: They form specialized committees for education, water supply, sanitation, etc. The Mayor heads the Corporation, while the Municipal Commissioner implements policies, ensuring smooth coordination and management of urban facilities. - What are the responsibilities of the Deputy Commissioner in district administration?
Answer: The Deputy Commissioner maintains law and order, collects land revenue, supervises land records, coordinates developmental activities, and oversees various departments like police, education, and public health in the district. - Why is it important to reserve seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women in urban local bodies?
Answer: Reservation ensures political representation and empowerment for marginalized groups and women, leading to inclusive governance, addressing diverse community needs, and promoting social equality in urban management.
Additional Questions Ans Answers – 02
Fill in the Blanks and Answers
- The ______ Amendment Act of 1992 established urban local bodies.
Answer: Seventy-fourth - The smallest urban self-governing body is the ______.
Answer: Nagar Panchayat - Municipal Corporations are established in cities with a population over ______ lakh.
Answer: 10 - The head of a Municipal Corporation is called the ______.
Answer: Mayor - The ______ is appointed by the State Government to oversee a Municipal Corporation.
Answer: Municipal Commissioner - The head of a district is known as the ______ Commissioner.
Answer: Deputy - A ______ tax is levied on goods entering a city.
Answer: Octroi - The Municipal Council is also called ______ Parishad.
Answer: Nagar - One-third of seats in urban municipalities are reserved for ______.
Answer: Women - A ______ maintains land revenue records at the tehsil level.
Answer: Tehsildar - The ______ tax is collected for road and bridge maintenance.
Answer: Toll - The ______ Officer looks after educational activities in a district.
Answer: District Education Officer - The Nagar Panchayat’s Chairperson is elected by the ______.
Answer: People - The Municipal Council’s term is for ______ years.
Answer: Five - The ______ supervises the work of patwaris under a Tehsildar.
Answer: Kanungo
Multiple Choice Questions (MCQs) and Answers
- Which body governs cities with a population over 20,000 to 10 lakh?
a) Nagar Panchayat
b) Municipal Corporation
c) Municipal Council
d) Zila Parishad
Answer: c) Municipal Council - Who elects the Mayor of a Municipal Corporation?
a) State Government
b) Municipal Councillors
c) People directly
d) District Collector
Answer: b) Municipal Councillors - What is the minimum age to become a Municipal Councillor?
a) 18
b) 21
c) 25
d) 30
Answer: b) 21 - Which tax is a source of income for urban local bodies?
a) Income tax
b) Property tax
c) Sales tax
d) Corporate tax
Answer: b) Property tax - Who is the head of district administration?
a) Municipal Commissioner
b) Deputy Commissioner
c) Block Development Officer
d) Sarpanch
Answer: b) Deputy Commissioner - What is a function of a Nagar Panchayat?
a) Managing national highways
b) Maintaining parks
c) Conducting foreign trade
d) Regulating banks
Answer: b) Maintaining parks - Who appoints the Municipal Commissioner?
a) Mayor
b) State Government
c) Municipal Councillors
d) Central Government
Answer: b) State Government - Which body is responsible for fire-fighting services in big cities?
a) Nagar Panchayat
b) Municipal Council
c) Municipal Corporation
d) District Administration
Answer: c) Municipal Corporation - What is a tehsil?
a) A type of tax
b) A sub-division of a district
c) A municipal committee
d) A village council
Answer: b) A sub-division of a district - Which committee in a Municipal Corporation manages water supply?
a) Education Committee
b) Water Supply Committee
c) Health Committee
d) Transport Committee
Answer: b) Water Supply Committee
True/False Questions and Answers
- The Seventy-fourth Amendment Act established urban local bodies in 1992.
Answer: True - Nagar Panchayats are for cities with a population over 10 lakh.
Answer: False (They are for semi-urban areas.) - One-third of seats in municipalities are reserved for women.
Answer: True - The Municipal Commissioner is elected by the people.
Answer: False (Appointed by the State Government.) - Octroi tax is still levied in all Indian cities.
Answer: False (Abolished in some states like Delhi.) - The Deputy Commissioner maintains law and order in a district.
Answer: True - Municipal Councils manage cities with populations up to 20,000.
Answer: False (20,000 to 10 lakh.) - A Patwari maintains land revenue records.
Answer: True - The Mayor is the head of a Municipal Council.
Answer: False (The Chairperson heads a Municipal Council.) - Toll tax is collected for road and bridge maintenance.
Answer: True
Short Questions and Answers
- What is a Nagar Panchayat?
Answer: A Nagar Panchayat is a local self-governing body for semi-urban areas transitioning into cities, providing civic amenities. - Who is the Mayor?
Answer: The Mayor is the elected head of a Municipal Corporation, overseeing its functions and chairing meetings. - What is a Municipal Council?
Answer: A Municipal Council governs cities with populations between 20,000 and 10 lakh, managing civic services like water and roads. - Who is a Municipal Commissioner?
Answer: The Municipal Commissioner, appointed by the State Government, implements decisions and supervises a Municipal Corporation’s work. - Name one function of a Municipal Corporation.
Answer: Maintaining sanitation and cleanliness, including garbage removal. - What is a source of income for a Nagar Panchayat?
Answer: House tax. - Who is a Deputy Commissioner?
Answer: The Deputy Commissioner is the head of district administration, maintaining law, order, and coordinating development. - What is a tehsil?
Answer: A tehsil is a sub-division of a district, managed by a Tehsildar for land records and revenue collection. - What is octroi tax?
Answer: Octroi is a tax levied on goods entering a city, though abolished in some states like Delhi. - What is the term of a Municipal Councillor?
Answer: Five years.
Competency-Based Questions and Answers (Reasoning and Assertion)
- Assertion: Urban local bodies reduce the burden on state governments.
Reason: They manage civic amenities like water and sanitation locally.
Answer: Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason explains the assertion. - Assertion: Nagar Panchayats are for semi-urban areas.
Reason: They govern towns transitioning from villages to cities with smaller populations.
Answer: Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason explains the assertion. - Assertion: Municipal Corporations handle complex urban issues.
Reason: They manage large cities with over 10 lakh population, requiring specialized committees.
Answer: Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason explains the assertion. - Assertion: Women have significant representation in urban local bodies.
Reason: One-third of seats are reserved for women to ensure gender equality.
Answer: Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason explains the assertion. - Assertion: The Deputy Commissioner coordinates district activities.
Reason: They oversee departments like education and police for unified development.
Answer: Both assertion and reason are true, and the reason explains the assertion.
High Order Thinking Skill (HOTS) Questions and Answers
- Why are urban local bodies critical for managing growing cities?
Answer: Urban local bodies address increasing population pressures by providing water, sanitation, and transport. Elected representatives ensure local needs are met, reducing state government burden and promoting efficient, community-driven solutions to complex urban challenges. - How do reservations in urban municipalities promote inclusivity?
Answer: Reservations for Scheduled Castes, Tribes, and women (one-third seats) ensure marginalized groups’ representation. This fosters inclusive decision-making, addresses specific community needs, and empowers underrepresented voices, enhancing social equity in urban governance. - Why is the Municipal Commissioner’s role vital in Municipal Corporations?
Answer: The Municipal Commissioner, a state-appointed expert, implements complex decisions, supervises operations, and ensures efficient delivery of services like sanitation and water in large cities. Their administrative expertise supports the elected body in managing multifaceted urban challenges. - How does the ward system enhance urban governance?
Answer: The ward system divides cities into smaller units, each electing a councillor to address local issues like roads and sanitation. This ensures targeted governance, community representation, and accountability, making urban management responsive to diverse population needs. - Why is district administration essential alongside urban local bodies?
Answer: District administration, led by the Deputy Commissioner, coordinates law, order, and development across urban and rural areas. It oversees land records, revenue, and inter-departmental activities, ensuring unified governance that complements local bodies’ efforts for holistic progress.
Long Questions and Answers (40-50 Words)
- Explain the role of a Nagar Panchayat in urban governance.
Answer: A Nagar Panchayat governs semi-urban areas, providing civic amenities like water, electricity, and sanitation. It maintains parks, schools, and public buildings, records births and deaths, and solves local issues, ensuring better living conditions with funds from taxes and state grants. - Describe the functions of a Municipal Council.
Answer: A Municipal Council ensures drinking water and electricity supply, maintains roads, bridges, and parks, and promotes hygiene. It runs schools, hospitals, and markets, prevents epidemics, penalizes food adulteration, and keeps birth and death records for cities with 20,000 to 10 lakh population. - How does a Municipal Corporation manage large cities?
Answer: A Municipal Corporation, led by a Mayor and Commissioner, manages cities over 10 lakh population through committees for sanitation, water, roads, and education. It provides transport, fire services, and health facilities, funded by taxes and state grants, ensuring urban welfare. - Discuss the role of the Deputy Commissioner in district administration.
Answer: The Deputy Commissioner maintains law and order, collects revenue, and coordinates district departments like education and police. They oversee land records, promote development, and ensure unified administration across urban and rural areas, supporting local bodies for holistic progress. - Why are taxes important for urban local bodies?
Answer: Taxes like property, water, and toll provide funds for urban local bodies to maintain civic amenities like roads, water supply, and sanitation. Combined with state grants, they enable Nagar Panchayats, Councils, and Corporations to address growing urban needs effectively.