Panchayati Raj — Rural Local Government

• Panchayati Raj — system of rural self-government in India.
• Three-tier structure: Gram Panchayat → Panchayat Samiti → Zila Parishad.
• How the Gram Sabha works.
• 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992) — made Panchayati Raj mandatory.
• Urban local government: Municipal Corporations, Municipalities.

What is Panchayati Raj?

• System of governance at the village/local level.
• Allows villages to manage their own affairs — roads, water, schools, sanitation.
• Based on idea of grassroots democracy — power closest to the people.
• Mandatory in all states since 73rd Amendment (1992).

Three-tier structure

Gram Sabha

• All adults (18+) in a village who are registered voters form the Gram Sabha.
• Meets at least twice a year.
• Reviews Gram Panchayat's work; approves plans and accounts.
• True democracy at ground level — every villager can speak and vote.

Gram Panchayat

• Elected body for 5 years.
• Sarpanch (head) + Panches (members) — elected directly by Gram Sabha members.
• Gram Sevak — government official who assists Panchayat with paperwork.
• Sources of funds: government grants, local taxes (on houses, land, shops).

73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992)

Key provisions:

• Made 3-tier Panchayati Raj mandatory.
• Reservations: 1/3 seats reserved for women; reservations for SC/ST.
• 5-year term; State Election Commission conducts elections.
• 29 subjects (Schedule XI) transferred to Panchayats — including agriculture, education, health.

Urban local government (74th Amendment)

Head of Municipal Corporation = Mayor (elected by councillors).

• What is Panchayati Raj? Which Constitutional amendment made it mandatory?
• Draw the three tiers of Panchayati Raj from village to district level.
• What is the Gram Sabha? Who are its members?
• Who is a Sarpanch? How is one elected?
• What reservation does the 73rd Amendment provide for women?

Open the Practice tab for graded questions on Panchayati Raj.