KRIGYAN

Grassroots Democracy – Part 3: Local Government in Urban Areas

Class 6 · Social Science

1 idea in Class 6 Social Science, explained in plain words, with games and quizzes to practise.

Urban Local Bodies — Structure and Functions

Part of: Urban Local Bodies

Urban local bodies govern cities and towns. They are decentralised — local communities have a direct say in how their areas are managed. Cities and towns are divided into smaller units called 'wards', with ward committees that facilitate local activities and report problems. Only cities with a population above 10 lakhs (one million) have a Municipal Corporation (also called Mahanagar Nigam). Those between 1 and 10 lakhs have a Municipal Council (Nagar Palika). Smaller towns have a Nagar Panchayat.

Why it matters. Urban local bodies directly affect the quality of life in cities — understanding them helps students become informed and active citizens.

Try it in two minutes

  1. Ask: what is a 'ward' and what does the ward committee do?
  2. Ask: what type of body governs a city with over 10 lakh people?
  3. Ask: name three functions of urban local bodies.

Try at home. Ask your child to find out what type of local body (Municipal Corporation, Council or Nagar Panchayat) governs your city or town.

What your child will practise

  • Urban Local Bodies — Structure and Functions: Candy Quick Fire (Quick Fire)
  • Urban Local Bodies — Structure and Functions: Explorer'S Map Sort (Sort It Out)
  • Urban Local Bodies — Structure and Functions: Mission Control Quest (Collect the Answer)
  • Urban Local Bodies — Structure and Functions: Ocean Puzzle (Clue Puzzle)
  • Quiz: Urban Local Bodies — Structure and Functions (8 questions)