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UPSC Notes

Gram Sabha (under FRA and PESA)

PYQs

8

Articles

1

Momentum

21

Phase IFoundation

Background

Overview

Essential for understanding decentralization, local self-governance, tribal autonomy, and the implementation challenges of laws like PESA and FRA, particularly concerning land rights and development projects.

The Gram Sabha is the basic unit of local self-governance in India, comprising all adult members registered in the electoral rolls of a village. Under the Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act (PESA) 1996 and the Forest Rights Act (FRA) 2006, Gram Sabhas in Scheduled Areas are vested with significant powers, including the authority to protect tribal land, manage minor forest produce, and provide consent for land acquisition and forest diversion.

Phase IIStatic core

Facts & tables

Key facts

Composition

All adult members of a village registered in the electoral rolls.

Powers under FRA

Primary authority to initiate and determine forest rights, including consent for diversion of forest land.

Powers under PESA

Safeguard and preserve traditions, customs, cultural identity, community resources, and approve plans for social and economic development.

Constitutional Basis

Article 243A of the Constitution (for general Gram Sabhas), extended to Scheduled Areas by PESA.

Reference table

Static syllabus anchors

TypeReference
Conceptual areaLocal Self-Governance
Conceptual areaTribal Rights

Reference table

Institutions & roles

BodyRole
Ministry of Panchayati RajOversees panchayati raj institutions
Ministry of Tribal AffairsRelevant for gram sabhas in scheduled areas
Phase IIIExam lens

Prelims angle

Overview

Prelims angle: Multi-statement analysis

Prelims angle: Factual recall

Quick revision

  • Comprises all adult voters of a village.
  • Central to local self-governance, especially in Scheduled Areas.
  • Under FRA, it determines and grants forest rights.
  • Under PESA, it protects tribal customs and resources.
  • Its consent is crucial for land acquisition and forest diversion.

Elimination traps

Constitutional vs statutory — While Gram Sabha is mentioned in the Constitution, its specific powers under FRA/PESA are statutory.

Check if created by Constitution or by Parliament.

High-confidence PYQs

2026Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements about the provisions pertaining to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in India : 1. Provisions regarding the ad...

Indian PolityOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule...

Indian PolityOpen question

Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct? I. It has recommended grants of ₹4,800...

EconomyOpen question
2025Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule...

Indian PolityOpen question

Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct? I. It has recommended grants of ₹4,800...

EconomyOpen question
2024Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, consider the following statements : While any resolution for the removal of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2023Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to 'Scheduled Areas' in India, consider the following statements: 1. Within a State, the notification of an area as Scheduled Area takes place...

Indian PolityOpen question
2022Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of...

Indian PolityOpen question
2018Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Indian PolityOpen question
2013Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

The Government enacted the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act in 1996. Which one of the following is not identified as its objective?

Indian PolityOpen question

Topic timeline

Local Self-GovernanceTribal Rights
Prelims 2013· Factual recall, Conceptual understanding

The Government enacted the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act in 1996. Which one of the following is not identified as its objective?

Open question
Prelims 2018· Multi-statement analysis, Institutional roles and functions

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

Open question
Prelims 2022· Conceptual understanding, Institutional roles and functions

If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of...

Open question
Prelims 2023· Statement-based questions, Institutional roles and functions

With reference to 'Scheduled Areas' in India, consider the following statements: 1. Within a State, the notification of an area as Scheduled Area takes place...

Open question
Prelims 2024· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

With reference to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, consider the following statements : While any resolution for the removal of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is ...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule...

Open question

Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct? I. It has recommended grants of ₹4,800...

Open question
Prelims 2025· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule...

Open question

Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct? I. It has recommended grants of ₹4,800...

Open question
Prelims 2026· Multi-statement analysis, Factual recall

Consider the following statements about the provisions pertaining to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in India : 1. Provisions regarding the ad...

Open question

Perilous retreat: On gram sabhas, tribal land issues

09 Sep 2026 · The Gram Sabha, especially in Scheduled Areas, is a powerful democratic body under FRA and PESA. It holds crucial consent-granting powers for land diversion and forest rights, acting as a protector of tribal livelihoods and culture. Recent proposals threaten to dilute its mandatory consent.

Read article

Related topics

Current topic

Gram Sabha (under FRA and PESA)

Often confused with

Governance, Resource Rights, and Development Challenges in Tribal Areas

Open notesOften confused with

Forest Rights Act (FRA), 2006

Open notes

Practice writing on this topic

UPSC has asked 8 linked questions on Gram Sabha (under FRA and PESA) in Mains. Write an answer to one — and get it evaluated.

See Mains PYQsEvaluate an answer

UPSC Prelims PYQs on Gram Sabha (under FRA and PESA)

Practice official previous year questions asked by UPSC related to this concept.

Consider the following statements: With reference to the Constitution of India, if an area in a State is declared as Scheduled Area under the Fifth Schedule...

2025·Indian Polity
Solve

The Government enacted the Panchayat Extension to Scheduled Areas (PESA) Act in 1996. Which one of the following is not identified as its objective?

2013·Indian Polity
Solve

With reference to the Speaker of the Lok Sabha, consider the following statements : While any resolution for the removal of the Speaker of the Lok Sabha is ...

2024·Indian Polity
Solve

Which of the following statements with regard to recommendations of the 15th Finance Commission of India are correct? I. It has recommended grants of ₹4,800...

2025·Economy
Solve

If a particular area is brought under the Fifth Schedule of the Constitution of India, which one of the following statements best reflects the consequence of...

2022·Indian Polity
Solve

With reference to 'Scheduled Areas' in India, consider the following statements: 1. Within a State, the notification of an area as Scheduled Area takes place...

2023·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements about the provisions pertaining to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in India : 1. Provisions regarding the ad...

2026·Indian Polity
Solve

Consider the following statements 1. The Food Safety and Standards Act, 2006 replaced the Prevention of Food Adulteration Act, 1954. 2. The Food Safety and ...

2018·Indian Polity
Solve

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