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. How many villages does India have approximately?
(a) About 100,000
(b) About 300,000
(c) About 600,000
(d) About 900,000

Q2. The lowest tier of the Panchayati Raj system is:
(a) Zila Parishad
(b) Panchayat Samiti
(c) Gram Panchayat
(d) State Legislature

Q3. Dnyaneshwar Kamble, who became Sarpanch of Tarangfal village in Maharashtra, is a:
(a) Film actor
(b) Transgender person
(c) Sports person
(d) Doctor

Q4. Vandana Bahadur Maida belongs to which community?
(a) Gond
(b) Bhil
(c) Santhal
(d) Munda

Q5. In the Arthashastra, 'Kārvaṭika' refers to headquarters for every:
(a) 10 villages
(b) 100 villages
(c) 400 villages
(d) 800 villages

Q6. The World's Children's Honorary Award was received by which initiative in 2001?
(a) Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan
(b) Children's Parliament
(c) Mid-Day Meal Scheme
(d) Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

Q7. The Panchayat Samiti is also known as:
(a) Village Parishad
(b) Block Panchayat or Mandal Parishad
(c) District Council
(d) State Panchayat

Q8. Who said "The real India lives in its villages"?
(a) Jawaharlal Nehru
(b) M.K. Gandhi
(c) B.R. Ambedkar
(d) Sardar Patel

Q9. The Arthashastra was written approximately how many years ago?
(a) 1,300 years
(b) 1,800 years
(c) 2,300 years
(d) 2,800 years

Q10. Lakshmanpur village mentioned in the chapter is located in:
(a) Plains of Punjab
(b) Coastal area of Kerala
(c) Foothills of the Himalayas
(d) Desert of Rajasthan

SECTION B - Short Answer Questions (2 marks each)

Q11. What is a Gram Sabha? Who can be its member?

Q12. Mention any four areas covered under the responsibilities of Panchayati Raj institutions.

Q13. Who was Vandana Bahadur Maida? What did she achieve?

Q14. What is meant by the term 'Sarpanch'? How is a Sarpanch elected?

SECTION C - Short Answer Questions (3 marks each)

Q15. Describe the administrative structure mentioned in the Arthashastra. How does it compare to today's Panchayati Raj system?

Q16. How do Panchayati Raj institutions ensure participation of disadvantaged sections and women?

Q17. Explain how democracy in the Panchayati Raj system works both through direct participation and through elected representatives.

SECTION D - Long Answer Question (5 marks)

Q18. Describe the complete structure and functioning of the Panchayati Raj system in India. Explain the role of each tier with examples of their work.

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

Q19. Read the following passage and answer the questions: Dnyaneshwar Kamble is a transgender person who was elected Sarpanch of Tarangfal village in the Solapur district of Maharashtra in 2017. Kamble's motto is lok seva, gram seva, that is, 'Service to the village is service to the public.' Kamble defeated six other candidates to become the Sarpanch. Vandana Bahadur Maida, a member of the Bhil community from the village of Khankhandvi in Madhya Pradesh, defied patriarchal norms to become the first female Sarpanch of her village.

(a) In which year and state did Dnyaneshwar Kamble become Sarpanch? (1)
(b) What is the meaning of Kamble's motto 'lok seva, gram seva'? (1)
(c) What challenges did Vandana Bahadur Maida overcome to become Sarpanch? (1)
(d) What do these examples tell us about changing leadership in rural India? (1)

Q20. Read the following passage and answer the questions: Sangkhu Radhu Khandu Gram Panchayat, in west Sikkim, has given a lot of importance to children's needs and rights. The Panchayat has built compound walls for schools to make them safer for children. To ensure that students get hygienically cooked midday meals, the Gram Panchayat has constructed kitchens in the schools. It is for these efforts that Sangkhu Radhu Khandu has been declared a child-friendly Gram Panchayat.
(a) Where is Sangkhu Radhu Khandu Gram Panchayat located? (1)
(b) Why did the Panchayat build compound walls for schools? (1)
(c) What facility was constructed to improve the midday meal program? (1)
(d) Why was this Panchayat declared child-friendly? Give your opinion on such initiatives. (1) DETAILED ANSWER KEY - PAPER 02

SECTION A - Answers to MCQs

Ans 1.
(c) About 600,000 Explanation: India has about 600,000 villages, 8,000 towns and over 4,000 cities. Ans 2.
(c) Gram Panchayat Explanation: Gram Panchayat is at the village level, which is the lowest tier of the three-tier system. Ans 3.
(b) Transgender person Explanation: Dnyaneshwar Kamble is a transgender person who was elected Sarpanch in 2017. Ans 4.
(b) Bhil Explanation: Vandana Bahadur Maida is a member of the Bhil community from Khankhandvi village in Madhya Pradesh. Ans 5.
(b) 100 villages Explanation: According to Arthashastra, Kārvaṭika (district headquarters) was established for every 100 villages.

Ans 6.
(b) Children's Parliament Explanation: The Children's Parliament initiative received the World's Children's Honorary Award in 2001. Ans 7.
(b) Block Panchayat or Mandal Parishad Explanation: Panchayat Samiti at the block level is also called Block Panchayat or Mandal Parishad. Ans 8.
(b) M.K. Gandhi Explanation: Mahatma Gandhi said "The real India lives in its villages." Ans 9.
(c) 2,300 years Explanation: The Arthashastra was written by Kautilya about 2,300 years ago. Ans 10.
(c) Foothills of the Himalayas Explanation: Lakshmanpur is described as a small village in the foothills of the Himalayas with 200 houses and about 700 population.

SECTION B - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 11. Gram Sabha: • Gram Sabha is the assembly of all adult voters of a village or group of neighbouring villages. • It is the primary body of the Panchayati Raj system at the village level. Members: • All adults from a village who are enrolled as voters. • Includes both women and men of voting age. Ans 12. Four areas covered under Panchayati Raj responsibilities:

1. Agriculture – Management of farming and related activities

2. Housing – Provisions for housing in villages

3. Maintenance of roads – Construction and repair of local roads

4. Management of water resources – Water supply and irrigation (Other areas include: education, health care, social welfare, cultural activities) Ans 13. Vandana Bahadur Maida: • She is a member of the Bhil community from Khankhandvi village in Madhya Pradesh. Her achievements: • Defied patriarchal norms to become the first female Sarpanch of her village. • Convinced women in the village to attend Sabha meetings. • Addressed critical issues like education and sanitation. • Earned recognition far and wide for her work.

Ans 14. Sarpanch: • Sarpanch (also called Pradhan) is the head or president of a Gram Panchayat. Election process: • Members of the Gram Panchayat are elected directly by the Gram Sabha. • The elected Gram Panchayat members then elect the Sarpanch from among themselves. • In recent years, more and more women have become Sarpanchs.

SECTION C - Answers to Short Answer Questions

Ans 15. Administrative structure in Arthashastra: According to Kautilya's Arthashastra (written 2,300 years ago): • Sangrahaṇa (sub-district headquarters) – for every 10 villages • Kārvaṭika (district headquarters) – for every 100 villages • Droṇamukha – for every 400 villages • Sthānīya (provincial headquarters) – for every 800 villages Comparison with today's system: • Similar hierarchical structure exists today. • Village level corresponds to Gram Panchayat. • Block and district levels parallel higher tiers.

• The concept of tiered administration has ancient roots. • Both systems aim for efficient governance of rural areas. Ans 16. Provisions for disadvantaged sections: • Special rules have been made at all three levels of Panchayati Raj. • These ensure that disadvantaged sections can make their needs and problems heard. • Seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. Provisions for women: • One-third of the seats are reserved for women at all levels. • More and more women have become Sarpanchs in recent years.

• Examples include Vandana Bahadur Maida who became the first female Sarpanch of her village. Impact: • These provisions strengthen participation of marginalized groups. • They ensure inclusive democracy at the grassroots level. Ans 17. Direct participation: • Through Gram Sabha, all adult voters directly participate in discussions. • Women and men discuss all matters related to their area. • They take collective decisions on village issues. • Bal Sabhas allow children to express their ideas directly.

Through elected representatives: • Members of Gram Panchayat are elected by Gram Sabha. • Sarpanch is elected as the head of Gram Panchayat. • Members of Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad are elected. • These representatives make decisions on behalf of people. • They coordinate matters and implement government schemes. Balance of both: This dual system ensures people have both direct say and representation in governance.

SECTION D - Answer to Long Answer Question

Ans 18. Structure of Panchayati Raj System: The Panchayati Raj system in India is a three-tier system of local self-government in rural areas.

1. VILLAGE LEVEL - Gram Panchayat: Structure: • Gram Sabha – Assembly of all adult voters • Gram Panchayat – Elected body of village representatives • Sarpanch/Pradhan – Elected head • Panchayat Secretary – Administrative officer • Patwari – Maintains land records Functions: • Managing village affairs and local issues • Maintaining village roads and water resources • Primary education and health care • Implementing child-friendly initiatives • Example: Sangkhu Radhu Khandu GP built school kitchens

2. BLOCK LEVEL - Panchayat Samiti: Structure: • Also called Block Panchayat or Mandal Parishad • Members elected by local people • Includes Sarpanchs of villages in the area • May include local MLAs Functions: • Acts as link between Gram Panchayat and Zila Parishad • Coordinates matters across Gram Panchayats • Collects development plans from all villages • Presents plans at District/State levels • Facilitates fund allocation for development • Implements schemes like PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana)

3. DISTRICT LEVEL - Zila Parishad: Structure: • Also called District Panchayat • Highest tier at district level • Members elected by local people and nominated members Functions: • Overall coordination of blocks in the district • Major development projects • Agriculture, housing, roads, water resources • Education, health care, social welfare • Cultural activities Special provisions: • One-third seats reserved for women at all levels • Reservations for disadvantaged sections • This ensures inclusive governance

SECTION E - Answers to Case Study Based Questions

Ans 19.
(a) Year and State: • Dnyaneshwar Kamble became Sarpanch in 2017. • The village Tarangfal is in Solapur district of Maharashtra.
(b) Meaning of motto: • 'Lok seva, gram seva' means 'Service to the village is service to the public.' • It reflects commitment to public welfare through village development.
(c) Challenges overcome by Vandana Bahadur Maida: • She defied patriarchal norms in her community. • As a woman from the Bhil tribal community, she faced societal barriers. • She convinced women to attend Sabha meetings despite social restrictions.

(d) What these examples tell us: • Rural India is embracing inclusive leadership. • Marginalized groups (transgender persons, tribal women) can become leaders. • Democratic participation is strengthening at grassroots level. • Traditional barriers are being broken through electoral participation. Ans 20.
(a) Location: • Sangkhu Radhu Khandu Gram Panchayat is located in West Sikkim.
(b) Purpose of compound walls: • To make schools safer for children. • To provide security to students during school hours.

(c) Facility for midday meals: • The Gram Panchayat constructed kitchens in the schools. • This ensured that students get hygienically cooked midday meals.
(d) Reason for child-friendly declaration and opinion: • The Panchayat prioritized children's needs and rights. • It took concrete steps for child safety and nutrition. Opinion: Such initiatives are important because they show how local government can directly improve children's lives. When Panchayats focus on education, safety, and health, it creates a model for other villages to follow and ensures better future for children.