IGNOU MPA-016 Assignment 2026-27
Decentralisation and Local Governance
Last updated by IGNOU: 27 Jul 2026. Guide written from the official PDF on 01 Nov 2026, 04:24 am.
| Course code | MPA-016 |
|---|---|
| Course title | Decentralisation and Local Governance |
| Programme | Master’s Degree Programme in Sociology (M.A. Sociology)MSO, MPA |
| School | School of Social Sciences |
| Assignment code | MPA-016/Asst/TMA/July-2026 & January-2027 |
| Session | July 2026 and January 2027 |
| Maximum marks | 100 |
| Weightage | 30% |
| Last date (June exam) | 15 Apr 2027 |
| Last date (December exam) | 31 Oct 2026 |
| Medium | English, Hindi |
About the MPA-016 assignment
The MPA-016 assignment covers democratic and political decentralisation, constitutional amendments, development planning, sustainability and local governance. It also examines Panchayati Raj finances, Gram Sabha responsibilities, micro-level planning and partnership.
This Tutor Marked Assignment has 10 questions divided equally between two sections. Answer five questions in total, choosing at least two from each section. Each answer should be about 500 words, and each question carries 20 marks, making a total of 100 marks.
What the assignment asks
| Question | Marks | Topic |
|---|---|---|
| Q1 (Section I) | 20 | Explain what democratic decentralisation means, its underlying concept and why it matters. |
| Q2 (Section I) | 20 | Discuss the main provisions of the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts of 1992. |
| Q3 (Section I) | 20 | Explain the impact of decentralisation on development. |
| Q4 (Section I) | 20 | Describe the character and scope of development planning. |
| Q5 (Section I) | 20 | Discuss challenges concerning sustainable development and the environment. |
| Q6 (Section II) | 20 | Explain the financial resources available to Panchayati Raj institutions. |
| Q7 (Section II) | 20 | Describe political decentralisation. |
| Q8 (Section II) | 20 | Discuss the authority and responsibilities of the Gram Sabha. |
| Q9 (Section II) | 20 | Examine the different obstacles to micro-level planning. |
| Q10 (Section II) | 20 | Write an account of the different areas of partnership. |
This is a summary of each question. Download the official PDF above for the exact questions and word limits.
How to write and submit it
- Attempt five questions altogether, including at least two from each section.
- Keep each answer to about 500 words.
- Use your own words; discussions with other learners and academic counsellors may help, but copying answers is not allowed.
- Organise answers logically, paying attention to the introduction and conclusion.
- Present answers neatly and underline points you want to emphasise.
- Submit the assignment to the Coordinator of your allotted Study Centre.
- Obtain and retain a submission receipt, and keep a photocopy of your assignment if possible.
- Ask the Study Centre to return your assignment after evaluation.
Submission dates: 15 April 2027 (June term-end exam); 31 October 2026 (December term-end exam). These are the current listing dates; dates can differ by session, and the PDF gives different batch-based deadlines.
Frequently asked questions
Which sessions does the MPA-016 assignment cover?
It covers the July 2026 and January 2027 sessions.
How many questions must I answer in MPA-016?
Answer five of the 10 questions, selecting at least two from Section I and at least two from Section II.
What are the word limit, marks and weightage?
Each answer should be about 500 words and carries 20 marks. The assignment totals 100 marks, and the official listing gives a weightage of 30%.
What are the MPA-016 assignment submission deadlines?
The current listing gives 15 April 2027 for the June term-end exam and 31 October 2026 for the December term-end exam. Dates can differ by session: the PDF instead lists 31 March 2027 for the July 2026 batch and 30 September 2027 for the January 2027 batch.
Where should I submit the assignment?
Submit it to the Coordinator of your allotted Study Centre. Obtain a receipt and retain it.
Which programmes and language versions are listed for MPA-016?
The official listing includes MPA and MSO, with English and Hindi versions available. The supplied PDF presents MPA-016 as an elective for the Master’s Degree Programme in Sociology.
Other IGNOU MSO assignments
- MPS 3: India: Democracy and Development
- MSO-001: Sociological Theories and Concepts
- MSO-002: Research Methodologies and Methods
- MSO-003: Sociology of Development
- MSO-004: Sociology in India
Assignment details and PDFs come from IGNOU's official website; the guide is a summary of the official PDF. Always check the latest instructions and last dates on ignou.ac.in or with your Regional Centre before submitting.