← All questionsGS2 · 2020 · Polity ·Functionality of Local Institutions
QUESTION 13
GS2
15 marks

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.

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11 min
250 words
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What the examiner wants

Highlight the main challenges that limit how well panchayats and municipalities function today.

HighlightBring the key points to the front, briefly.

Demand-wise check

  1. 1From 3Fs (functions, functionaries, funds) to functionality≈50 words
  2. 2Challenges: weak own revenue, delayed SFC devolution, staff shortage, proxy representatives (sarpanch-pati), parallel bodies, elite capture, poor capacity≈50 words
  3. 3Urban: municipal finance (about 1% of GDP), weak mayors≈50 words
  4. 4Measures: devolution index, own revenue, e-Gram Swaraj, training≈50 words

Open in about 30 words and close in about 30.

Answer plan

ContextChallenges (finance, staff, autonomy, social)MeasuresConclusion

Where marks usually go

  • Only describing the 73rd and 74th Amendments
  • Missing the 'functionality' focus

Draw this

  • Table: challenge → example → measure

Value addition

  • DataMunicipal revenues are about 1% of GDP in India, against 4–6% in Brazil and South Africa.RBI Report on Municipal Finances (2022)
  • FactThe Panchayati Raj Ministry's 2024 devolution index found wide variation; Karnataka, Kerala and Tamil Nadu ranked top.Ministry of Panchayati Raj