📑 Topics on this page (Jump to Topic):
📌 1. Committees & History
| Committee | Year | Recommendation |
|---|---|---|
| Balwant Rai Mehta | 1957 | Three-tier PRI — "democratic decentralisation" |
| Ashok Mehta | 1977–78 | Two-tier (Zila Parishad + Mandal Panchayat); party participation |
| G.V.K. Rao | 1985 | District as focus; DDC in place of BDO |
| L.M. Singhvi | 1986 | Constitutional status for panchayats |
- First panchayat: Nagaur, Rajasthan — 2 Oct 1959 (Nehru); then Andhra Pradesh.
- National Panchayati Raj Day: 24 April (73rd Amendment in force 24 Apr 1993). 74th: 1 June 1993.
- Art. 40 (DPSP) directs village panchayats; "local government" is a State List subject.
📌 2. 73rd Amendment 1992 (Part IX, Art. 243–243O)
- Gram Sabha (243A) — all registered voters of the village.
- Three tiers: village, intermediate (block), district; intermediate tier optional in states below 20 lakh population.
- Members directly elected at all levels; SC/ST reservation in proportion to population; women at least 1/3 (many states give 50%); also for chairpersons.
- Term 5 years; election within 6 months of dissolution; minimum age 21.
- State Election Commission (243K) — appointed by the Governor, removed like a HC judge; State Finance Commission (243I) — every 5 years.
- 11th Schedule: 29 subjects (agriculture, drinking water, rural housing, poverty alleviation etc.).
- Not applicable: Nagaland, Meghalaya, Mizoram and certain hill/scheduled areas — extended to 5th Schedule areas by PESA 1996 (10 states).
📌 3. 74th Amendment 1992 (Part IXA, Art. 243P–243ZG)
| Body | Area |
|---|---|
| Nagar Panchayat | Transitional area (rural to urban) |
| Municipal Council | Smaller urban area |
| Municipal Corporation | Larger urban area |
- 12th Schedule: 18 subjects (urban planning, water supply, fire services, slum improvement, registration of births and deaths etc.).
- District Planning Committee (243ZD) and Metropolitan Planning Committee (243ZE) — 10 lakh+ population.
- First municipal corporation in India: Madras (1688); cantonment boards under the Centre (Defence Ministry).
⚠️ Exam Traps:
- 11th Schedule = 29 (panchayats); 12th = 18 (municipalities) — "29 villages, 18 towns".
- Panchayat polls are run by the State Election Commission, not the ECI.
📌 4. Practice MCQs
📝 Practice MCQs (prepared by SF Prep — not PYQs)
Q1. Panchayati Raj got constitutional status by which amendment? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
73rd Amendment 1992 (Part IX).
73rd Amendment 1992 (Part IX).
Q2. Which committee recommended three-tier Panchayati Raj? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
1957 — Balwant Rai Mehta.
1957 — Balwant Rai Mehta.
Q3. Where was Panchayati Raj first inaugurated in India? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
2 Oct 1959, Nagaur — by Nehru.
2 Oct 1959, Nagaur — by Nehru.
Q4. How many subjects are in the 11th Schedule? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
29 subjects for panchayats.
29 subjects for panchayats.
Q5. How many subjects are in the 12th Schedule? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
18 subjects for municipalities.
18 subjects for municipalities.
Q6. When is National Panchayati Raj Day observed? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
The 73rd Amendment came into force on 24 Apr 1993.
The 73rd Amendment came into force on 24 Apr 1993.
Q7. Which committee recommended a two-tier Panchayati Raj? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Ashok Mehta (1977–78).
Ashok Mehta (1977–78).
Q8. What is the minimum reservation for women in panchayats under the Constitution? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Art. 243D — at least 1/3; many states give 50%.
Art. 243D — at least 1/3; many states give 50%.
Q9. What is the minimum age to contest panchayat elections? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
21 years.
21 years.
Q10. Who conducts panchayat elections? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Art. 243K — State Election Commission.
Art. 243K — State Election Commission.
Q11. Below what population is the intermediate panchayat tier optional for a state? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Art. 243B.
Art. 243B.
Q12. The State Finance Commission is provided under which Article? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
243I (panchayats) and 243Y (municipalities).
243I (panchayats) and 243Y (municipalities).
Q13. In which year was the PESA Act enacted? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996.
Panchayats (Extension to Scheduled Areas) Act 1996.
Q14. The Metropolitan Planning Committee is for areas with population of: Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Art. 243ZE.
Art. 243ZE.
Q15. Which body is for an area in transition from rural to urban? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Art. 243Q.
Art. 243Q.
Q16. Where was India's first municipal corporation set up? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Madras, 1688.
Madras, 1688.
Q17. Which committee recommended constitutional status for panchayats? Practice
Correct answer: (B)
Singhvi (1986).
Singhvi (1986).
Q18. Who constitute the Gram Sabha? Practice
Correct answer: (A)
Art. 243A.
Art. 243A.
Q19. The 73rd Amendment does NOT apply to which state? Practice
Correct answer: (C)
Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram are exempt.
Nagaland, Meghalaya and Mizoram are exempt.
Q20. Within how long must elections be held after a panchayat is dissolved? Practice
Correct answer: (D)
Art. 243E.
Art. 243E.