With reference to Municipalities, which of the following statements is/are correct?

Question

With reference to Municipalities, which of the following statements is/are correct?

1. The eligible age to be a member of municipality is 25 years.

2. One-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in the municipalities is reserved for women.

Select the correct answer from the code given below:

1. A. Both 1 and 2
2. B. Neither 1 nor 2
3. C. Only 2 (Correct answer)
4. D. Only 1

Correct Answer

Option C — Only 2

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Only 2.

Key Points

• Statement 1 is incorrect. The minimum age to become a member of a municipality is 21 years, not 25. This is laid down in Article 243V, which applies the same qualifications as for a state legislature *except* that the age is 21.
• Statement 2 is correct. Under Article 243T, not less than one-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every municipality is reserved for women, including one-third of the seats reserved for SCs and STs.
• Only statement 2 holds, giving option (c).

Additional Information

• Municipalities were given constitutional status by the 74th Amendment Act, 1992, which inserted Part IX A (Articles 243P to 243ZG) and the Twelfth Schedule with 18 subjects.
• The three types of urban local body under Article 243Q: Nagar Panchayat (transitional area), Municipal Council (smaller urban area) and Municipal Corporation (larger urban area).
• Every municipality has a fixed term of five years, and elections must be held before expiry — or within six months of dissolution.
• The State Election Commission conducts these elections and the State Finance Commission reviews their finances every five years.