Question

Read the following statements regarding decentralization step India took in the year 1992 and choose the correct option:
I. Mandatory regular elections for local bodies
II. Two-third seats reserved for women
III. Formation of the State Election Commission
IV. Seats reserved for Scheduled Castes and Schedule Tribes

• A. I, II and III are correct.
• B. I, III and IV are correct.
• C. II, III and IV are correct.
• D. I, II and IV are correct.

Hint:

For decentralization reforms of 1992, remember these four key points: regular elections to local bodies, reservation for SCs and STs, one-third reservation for women, and creation of the State Election Commission.

Answer 1

The Correct Option is B

Step 1: Recall what changed in 1992.
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments of 1992 strengthened local self-government by giving Panchayats and Municipalities a fixed structure and real powers.
Step 2: Check each statement on its own.
Regular elections every five years became compulsory, a State Election Commission was set up to conduct these elections independently, and seats were reserved for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes according to their population, so statements I, III and IV all hold true.
Step 3: Catch the false statement.
Statement II claims two thirds of seats were reserved for women, but the actual provision reserves only one third of the seats for women, so this statement does not hold.
Step 4: Match to the option.
With I, III and IV correct and II wrong, the answer matches option (B), I, III and IV are correct.