Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in
- (a) Federalism
- (b) Democratic decentralisation ✓ UPSC's answer
- (c) Administrative delegation
- (d) Direct democracy
Why the answer is (b)
• Local self-government transfers decision-making power and resources to elected bodies at the village, block and district levels (Panchayati Raj) and to municipalities, bringing governance closer to the people — this is democratic decentralisation, option (b).
• Federalism (a) is the constitutional division of power between Union and States; administrative delegation (c) merely delegates tasks to officials without popular election; direct democracy (d) means citizens deciding directly, whereas local bodies are representative (Gram Sabha is the direct element, but not the whole system).
• The 73rd and 74th Amendments constitutionalised this.
• Hence option (b).
Why the other options are wrong
- (a) Federalism
- Federalism concerns Union–State relations, not local bodies.
- (c) Administrative delegation
- Delegation lacks the democratic, elected element.
- (d) Direct democracy
- Local bodies are representative, not direct, democracy.
Asked in the GS Paper I of the UPSC Civil Services Preliminary Examination 2017, held on 18 June 2017. Question and answer key: Union Public Service Commission. Explanation: UPSC Answer Check.