Syllabus: GS 2 – Functions and responsibilities of the Union and the States, issues and challenges pertaining to the federal structure, devolution of powers and finances up to local levels and challenges therein.
| Discuss the recommendations of the 13th Finance Commission which have been a departure from the previous commissions for strengthening the local government finances. | 2013 |
| In absence of a well-educated and organized local level government system, `Panchayats’ and ‘Samitis’ have remained mainly political institutions and not effective instruments of governance. Critically discuss. | 2015 |
| “The local self-government system in India has not proved to be effective instrument of governance”. Critically examine the statement and give your views to improve the situation. | 2017 |
| Assess the importance of Panchayat system in India as a part of local government. Apart from government grants, what sources the Panchayats can look out for financing developmental projects. | 2018 |
| The reservation of seats for women in the institutions of local self- government has had a limited impact on the patriarchal character of the Indian Political Process.” Comment. | 2019 |
| The strength and sustenance of local institutions in India has shifted from their formative phase of ‘functions, functionaries and funds’ to the contemporary stage of’ functionality’. Highlight the critical challenges faced by local institutions in terms of their functionality in recent times. | 2020 |
| To what extent, in your opinion, as the decentralisation of power in India changed the governance landscape at the grassroots? | 2022 |
| ‘‘The states in India seem reluctant to empower urban local bodies both functionally as well as financially.’’ Comment. |