Class 6 Social Science Chapter 11 Grassroots Democracy — Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas Practice Paper 2

Class: VI Subject: Social Science Session: 2025-26 Chapter: 11 - Grassroots Democracy – Part 2 Time: 1½ Hours Max. Marks: 40

General Instructions:

1. All questions are compulsory.

2. This question paper contains 20 questions divided into five sections A, B, C, D and E.

3. Section A contains 10 MCQs of 1 mark each.

4. Section B contains 4 questions of 2 marks each.

5. Section C contains 3 questions of 3 marks each.

6. Section D contains 1 question of 5 marks.

7. Section E contains 2 Case Study Based questions of 4 marks each.

SECTION A - Multiple Choice Questions (1 mark each)

Q1. The Panchayati Raj system in India works at how many levels?
(a) Two levels
(b) Three levels
(c) Four levels
(d) Five levels

Q2. The head of a Gram Panchayat is called:
(a) Zila Adhyaksh
(b) Sarpanch or Pradhan
(c) Block Development Officer
(d) Patwari

Q3. The Gram Sabha consists of:
(a) Only men of the village
(b) All adults enrolled as voters in the village
(c) Only elected members
(d) Government officials only

Q4. Who maintains the land records of villagers?
(a) Sarpanch
(b) Panchayat Secretary
(c) Patwari
(d) Block Development Officer

Q5. The Panchayat Samiti works at which level?
(a) Village level
(b) Block level
(c) District level
(d) State level

Q6. What is the term used for the district level Panchayat?
(a) Gram Panchayat
(b) Panchayat Samiti
(c) Zila Parishad
(d) Gram Sabha

Q7. The Child-Friendly Panchayat Initiative creates opportunities for children to participate in:
(a) Adult meetings only
(b) Bal Sabhas and Bal Panchayats
(c) State elections
(d) National Parliament

Q8. Approximately what percentage of India's population lives in rural areas?
(a) One-third
(b) Half
(c) Almost two-thirds
(d) Three-fourths

Q9. What proportion of seats in Panchayati Raj institutions are reserved for women?
(a) One-fourth
(b) One-third
(c) Half
(d) No reservation

Q10. The Arthashastra was written by:
(a) Mahatma Gandhi
(b) Jawaharlal Nehru
(c) Kautilya (Chanakya)
(d) Ashoka

SECTION B - Short Answer Questions (2 marks each)

Q11. What is Panchayati Raj? Why is it called a form of self-government?

Q12. Name the three tiers of the Panchayati Raj system and the level at which each operates.

Q13. What are the main functions of a Panchayat Secretary?

Q14. What is the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana? How does the Panchayat Samiti help in its implementation?

SECTION C - Short Answer Questions (3 marks each)

Q15. Describe the composition of a Gram Sabha. How does it function as the foundation of rural democracy?

Q16. Explain the role of Panchayat Samiti as a link between Gram Panchayat and Zila Parishad.

Q17. What is the Child-Friendly Panchayat Initiative? Give two examples of its achievements.

SECTION D - Long Answer Question (5 marks)

Q18. "The real India lives in its villages." – M.K. Gandhi In the light of this statement, explain the importance of the Panchayati Raj system in Indian democracy. Discuss the various functions performed by local government institutions at all three levels.

SECTION E - Case Study Based Questions (4 marks each)

Q19. Read the following passage and answer the questions: Hiware Bazar, a village in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra, used to be affected by frequent droughts and poor agricultural yield. After Popatrao Baguji Pawar became its Sarpanch, he started applying Anna Hazare's model of rainwater harvesting, watershed conservation and massive tree planting of lakhs of trees, all of which contributed to the recharge of groundwater. With the collaboration of the villagers, Hiware Bazar became a green and prosperous village in a few years. Shri Popatrao Pawar was awarded the Padma Shri in 2020.

(a) What were the problems faced by Hiware Bazar before transformation? (1)
(b) What methods did Popatrao Pawar use to solve these problems? (1)
(c) What recognition did he receive for his work? (1)
(d) What lesson can other villages learn from Hiware Bazar? (1)

Q20. Read the following passage and answer the questions: The 'Children's Parliament', an offshoot of Bunker Roy's 'Barefoot College' initiative, empowered underprivileged children in Rajasthan's rural areas through education and democratic participation. Children aged 8 to 14 are engaged in governance processes, learning about democracy and social responsibility through night schools and parliament-like elections. The initiative fostered leadership skills and social awareness, enabling children to challenge societal norms and advocate for change.

(a) Who started the 'Barefoot College' initiative? (1)
(b) What age group of children participated in the Children's Parliament? (1)
(c) How did children learn about democracy through this initiative? (1)
(d) What skills did the Children's Parliament help develop in children? (1) DETAILED ANSWER KEY - PAPER 01

SECTION A - Answers to MCQs

Ans 1.
(b) Three levels Explanation: The Panchayati Raj system works at village, block, and district levels – forming a three-tier system. Ans 2.
(b) Sarpanch or Pradhan Explanation: Each Gram Panchayat elects a head or president called the 'Sarpanch' or 'Pradhan'. Ans 3.
(b) All adults enrolled as voters in the village Explanation: Gram Sabha is a group of adults from a village who are enrolled as voters. Ans 4.
(c) Patwari Explanation: The Patwari maintains the villagers' land records. Some even keep maps that are generations old.

Ans 5.
(b) Block level Explanation: The Panchayat Samiti operates at the block level, between Gram Panchayat and Zila Parishad. Ans 6.
(c) Zila Parishad Explanation: Zila Parishad (District Panchayat) is the Panchayati Raj institution at the district level. Ans 7.
(b) Bal Sabhas and Bal Panchayats Explanation: The Child-Friendly Panchayat Initiative encourages children's participation in Bal Sabhas and Bal Panchayats. Ans 8.
(c) Almost two-thirds Explanation: India's population has crossed 1.4 billion, almost two-thirds of which live in rural areas.

Ans 9.
(b) One-third Explanation: Panchayati Raj institutions have a provision for reserving one-third of the seats for women. Ans 10.
(c) Kautilya (Chanakya) Explanation: The Arthashastra was written by Kautilya (also known as Chanakya) about 2,300 years ago.

SECTION B - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 11. Panchayati Raj: • Panchayati Raj is the system of local government in rural India. • It refers to the village council (Panchayat) system that brings governance closer to people. Why it is self-government: • It enables people to actively participate in decision-making processes. • Local people elect their own representatives and manage their own affairs. Ans 12. The three tiers of Panchayati Raj system are:

1. Village Level: Gram Panchayat / Village Parishad

2. Block Level: Panchayat Samiti / Block Panchayat / Mandal Parishad

3. District Level: Zila Parishad / District Panchayat Ans 13. Main functions of Panchayat Secretary: • Performs administrative functions for the Gram Panchayat. • Calling meetings of the Panchayat and Gram Sabha. • Maintaining records of proceedings and decisions. • Assists in day-to-day functioning of the Panchayat. Ans 14. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana: • It is a government scheme that promotes the construction of all-weather roads in rural areas. Role of Panchayat Samiti: • Collects development plans from all Gram Panchayats.

• Puts them together and presents them at District or State levels. • This facilitates the allotment of funds for such development projects.

SECTION C - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 15. Composition of Gram Sabha: • Gram Sabha is a group of adults from a village (or group of neighbouring villages). • All adults who are enrolled as voters are members of the Gram Sabha. • It includes both women and men of the village. Foundation of rural democracy: • In the Gram Sabha, women and men discuss all matters related to their area. • They take collective decisions on village issues. • Members elect the Gram Panchayat members directly. • It ensures direct participation of people in governance.

Ans 16. Role of Panchayat Samiti as a link: • The Panchayat Samiti at the block level is the link between the Gram Panchayat and the Zila Parishad. • It coordinates matters across different Gram Panchayats in its block. • Collects development plans from all Gram Panchayats. • Puts these plans together to present them at District or State levels. • Facilitates the allotment of funds for development projects. • Ensures implementation of government schemes at the village level. Ans 17. Child-Friendly Panchayat Initiative:

• It creates opportunities for children to express their ideas and opinions on matters concerning their wellbeing. • Steps are being taken in several States to encourage children's participation in Bal Sabhas and Bal Panchayats. • Village elders try to find solutions to children's concerns. Two examples of achievements:

1. In Maharashtra, Bal Panchayats have worked to eliminate child labour and child marriage, bringing many children back to school.

2. Sangkhu Radhu Khandu Gram Panchayat in Sikkim built compound walls for schools and constructed kitchens for hygienic midday meals, earning recognition as a child-friendly Gram Panchayat.

SECTION D - Answer to Long Answer Question

Ans 18. Importance of Panchayati Raj System in Indian Democracy: Gandhi's statement "The real India lives in its villages" highlights that with about 600,000 villages and almost two-thirds of our 1.4 billion population living in rural areas, governance must reach the grassroots level. Significance: • Brings governance closer to the people. • Makes it possible for people to actively participate in decision-making. • Addresses local issues effectively. • Promotes development at the grassroots level.

• Ensures benefits of government schemes reach villages. Functions at three levels:

1. Village Level (Gram Panchayat): • Management of village affairs • Maintenance of village roads and water resources • Primary education and health care • Resolution of local disputes

2. Block Level (Panchayat Samiti): • Coordination between Gram Panchayats • Collection of development plans • Implementation of government schemes like PMGSY • Facilitating fund allocation

3. District Level (Zila Parishad): • Overall coordination of all blocks • Major development projects • Agriculture, housing, education, health care • Social welfare and cultural activities Democratic provisions: • One-third seats reserved for women • Special provisions for disadvantaged sections • Direct participation through Gram Sabha

SECTION E - Answers to Case Study Based Questions

Ans 19.
(a) Problems faced by Hiware Bazar: • Frequent droughts • Poor agricultural yield
(b) Methods used by Popatrao Pawar: • Rainwater harvesting • Watershed conservation • Massive tree planting (lakhs of trees) • Groundwater recharge initiatives
(c) Recognition received: • Shri Popatrao Pawar was awarded the Padma Shri in 2020.
(d) Lesson for other villages: • Community collaboration can transform a drought-affected village. • Water conservation and environmental protection lead to prosperity.

• Strong local leadership and people's participation can solve major problems. Ans 20.
(a) Founder: • Bunker Roy started the 'Barefoot College' initiative.
(b) Age group: • Children aged 8 to 14 years participated in the Children's Parliament.
(c) Learning about democracy: • Through night schools and parliament-like elections. • Following formal procedures including voter ID cards and campaigning. • Elected representatives formed a 'Cabinet' to oversee school management.
(d) Skills developed: • Leadership skills • Social awareness • Ability to challenge societal norms • Advocacy for change and community development