UPSC Prelims 2016·GS1·polity-and-governance·governance

With reference to the 'Gram Nyayalaya Act', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. As per the Act, Gram Nyayalayas can hear only civil cases and not criminal cases. 2. The Act allows local social activists as mediators/reconciliators. Select the correct answer using the code given below.

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Last updated 8 Jul 2026, 4:39 pm IST
  1. A1 only
  2. B2 onlyCorrect
  3. CBoth 1 and 2
  4. DNeither 1 nor 2

Explanation

The 'Gram Nyayalaya Act' was enacted in 2008 to provide for the establishment of Gram Nyayalayas (village courts) at the grassroots level for speedy and easy access to justice for citizens in rural areas. Let's analyze the statements:

  1. As per the Act, Gram Nyayalayas can hear only civil cases and not criminal cases. This statement is incorrect. Gram Nyayalayas are empowered to hear both civil and criminal cases. They have jurisdiction over a specific schedule of civil disputes and criminal offenses, generally those of a minor nature, specified in the Act.

  2. The Act allows local social activists as mediators/reconciliators. This statement is correct. The Act emphasizes conciliation and empowers the Gram Nyayalayas to appoint social activists as conciliators for mediating and settling disputes before they proceed to formal trial. This aligns with the objective of providing accessible and informal justice at the village level.

Therefore, only statement 2 is correct.

polity-and-governance: With reference to the 'Gram Nyayalaya Act', which of the following statements is/are correct? 1. As per the Act, Gram Ny
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