Panchayati Raj and Municipalities

Local government is the third tier of Indian federalism. The 73rd and 74th Amendments gave it constitutional protection. NDA tests the structure, reservation, and the 11th and 12th Schedules.

73rd Amendment — Panchayati Raj

• Added: Part IX (Articles 243 to 243-O) and 11th Schedule (29 subjects).
• Three-tier system (mandatory for states with > 20 lakh population):
  • Gram Panchayat (village level)
  • Panchayat Samiti / Block Panchayat (intermediate)
  • Zila Parishad (district level)
• Gram Sabha: Body of all registered voters in a village; foundation of the system.
• Term: 5 years.
• Reservations:
  • SC and ST: proportional to their population.
  • Women: at least 1/3 of seats (most states have raised this to 50%).
  • Rotation of reserved seats between Panchayats.
• State Election Commission: Conducts panchayat elections.
• State Finance Commission: Every 5 years, reviews finances and recommends distribution between state and panchayats.
• 11th Schedule: 29 functional items — agriculture, land improvement, minor irrigation, animal husbandry, rural roads, drinking water, education, etc.

74th Amendment — Municipalities

• Added: Part IXA (Articles 243P to 243ZG) and 12th Schedule (18 subjects).
• Three types:
  • Nagar Panchayat (transitional/small urban areas)
  • Municipal Council (smaller urban areas)
  • Municipal Corporation (large urban areas)
• Wards Committee: For municipalities with population > 3 lakh.
• Reservation: SC/ST proportional; women at least 1/3.
• Tenure: 5 years.
• 12th Schedule: 18 subjects — urban planning, water supply, public health, fire services, slum improvement, regulation of land use, etc.
• District Planning Committee (Article 243ZD): Consolidates plans of panchayats and municipalities.
• Metropolitan Planning Committee (Article 243ZE): For areas > 10 lakh population spanning multiple districts.

Evolution of Local Government

• Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957): First major recommendation — three-tier panchayat system.
• 2 Oct 1959: Panchayati Raj first launched in Rajasthan (Nagaur district) by Pt Nehru.
• Ashok Mehta Committee (1977): Recommended two-tier system; political parties' role; constitutional status.
• L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986): Reaffirmed need for constitutional status.
• P.K. Thungon Committee (1988): Constitutional status for panchayats.
• 64th Constitutional Amendment Bill (1989): By Rajiv Gandhi — failed in Rajya Sabha.
• 73rd & 74th Amendments (1992): By P.V. Narasimha Rao — finally enacted constitutional status.

NDA PYQ Examples

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is known as the architect of Panchayati Raj in India?

Balwant Rai Mehta — his 1957 committee report recommended the three-tier panchayat system that became the basis of local government in India.

What is Gram Sabha?

The body of all registered voters in a village (Article 243). It is the foundation of the panchayat system. The Gram Panchayat is the executive committee elected by the Gram Sabha.

How many years is the term of a Panchayat?

5 years. Elections must be held before the term expires; if dissolved earlier, the new panchayat serves only the remaining term — not a fresh 5 years.

What is the women's reservation in Panchayats?

At least 1/3 of seats reserved for women (Article 243D). Most states (Bihar, MP, UP, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, etc.) have raised this to 50%.

What is the difference between Municipal Council and Municipal Corporation?

Both are urban local bodies under 74th Amendment. Municipal Council — for smaller urban areas (variable population threshold by state). Municipal Corporation — for large urban areas (typically 5 lakh+ population). Corporations have wider powers and finances.

Related Topics

NDA PolityDPSP (Article 40) NDA PolitySchedules (11th, 12th) NDA PolityConstitutional Bodies NDA PolityAmendments NDAPolity — Full Syllabus