Gram Sabha in the Panchayati Raj system is a forum which gives expression to the collective wisdom, aspirations and the will of the people. Comment.
How the answer moves
The flow snapshot — the routes in, the body, the counter-view and the routes out.
Route 1 Article 243A → Gram Sabha = assembly of all village voters → only direct-democracy tier → statement captures its promise
Route 2 forum where collective wisdom + aspirations + will find direct expression → but promise real only where the forum works
statutory functions (plans, beneficiaries, social audit, accounts) → villagers as direct decision-makers → Baviskar: participatory democracy for Dalits, women, Adivasis → Sanyal & Rao: largest deliberative institution in human history
uneven functioning → thin attendance, elite dominance, marginalised silent, agenda shrinks to beneficiary lists → Mansuri & Rao: benefit reaches the disadvantaged only where Sabhas actually meet → Kothari: symbolic without mobilisation → Jayal: limited devolution weakens it
Route 1 such a forum by design more than by performance
Route 2 realising collective will needs clear powers + binding social audit + assured quorum + fiscal devolution
Model answer
Handwritten, in the form it would be written in the examination hall.
Also asked on this head
Grassroots Democracy — 13 questions in the Vault.
- Ending proxy leadership in Panchayati Raj is a necessary step towards true grassroots democracy. Comment. (150 words)
- Enunciate the impediments to women’s participation in local governance in the process of political decentralisation.
- Discuss the major provisions of the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act. Do you think that the Act remains an ‘unfulfilled dream’? Argue your case.
How this is taught
The same flow snapshot, built for every head of the syllabus, with the answer written in class.
The first session of Foundation 2027 is published in full.
Six programmes across three levels.