Grassroots Democracy — Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas

About this chapter

This Class 6 Social Science chapter explains how government works at the local level in rural India, where nearly two-thirds of 1.4 billion people and about 600,000 villages exist. It introduces the Panchayati Raj system — a form of self-government that brings governance closer to people. Students learn the three-tier structure: Gram Panchayat (village), Panchayat Samiti (block) and Zila Parishad (district). The Gram Sabha, made of enrolled adult voters, directly elects the Gram Panchayat and chooses a head called the Sarpanch or Pradhan, assisted by a Panchayat Secretary and a Patwari. The chapter highlights women's one-third seat reservation, inclusion of disadvantaged sections, child-friendly Bal Panchayats, exemplary Sarpanchs like Popatrao Pawar, and Kautilya's ancient Arthashastra. CTET tests tiers, functions, officials, elections and historical roots. The four tests cover: Practice — recall of names and structure; Quiz — applied understanding; Hard — PYQ-grade statement and assertion items; Mastery — a full-chapter mixed mock with no overlap.