Local Government in India – Panchayats & Urban Bodies
Delhi Police Exams – GK Section
Introduction
Local Government in India means governance at the grassroots level — by the people, for
the people, and near the people.
It aims to strengthen democracy, ensure public participation, and achieve inclusive development
in both rural & urban areas.
Part IX (Articles 243–243O): Panchayati Raj (73rd Amendment, 1992)
Part IX-A (Articles 243P–243ZG): Municipalities (74th Amendment, 1992)
Panchayati Raj Institutions (73rd Amendment Act, 1992)
Background
- Based on Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957)
- Introduced 3-tier system of rural self-government
- Came into force on 24 April 1993 (Panchayati Raj Day)
Structure of Panchayati Raj
| Level | Name | Head | Constituency Type |
|---|---|---|---|
| District Level | Zila Parishad | Chairperson / President | Entire District |
| Intermediate Level | Panchayat Samiti / Block Panchayat | Chairperson | Block / Taluka |
| Village Level | Gram Panchayat | Sarpanch / Pradhan | Village |
Salient Features of 73rd Amendment
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Status | Added Part IX & 11th Schedule |
| Number of Articles | 243–243O |
| Compulsory for | All States (except J&K, North-East, Delhi) |
| Gram Sabha | Body of all voters at village level |
| Tenure | 5 years |
| Reservation | 1/3rd for women, proportionate for SC/ST |
| State Election Commission | Conducts Panchayat elections |
| State Finance Commission | Recommends financial distribution (every 5 yrs) |
| 11th Schedule | 29 subjects (Agri, Health, Rural Development, etc.) |
Functions of Panchayats
- Agriculture, irrigation & land reforms
- Animal husbandry & fisheries
- Rural housing & health
- Primary education & drinking water
- Roads, rural electrification & poverty alleviation
- Implementing govt schemes (MNREGA etc.)
Urban Local Bodies (74th Amendment Act, 1992)
Background
- Based on L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986)
- Came into force on 1 June 1993
- Granted constitutional status to urban local bodies
Structure of Urban Local Government
| Urban Area Type | Urban Body | Head Title |
|---|---|---|
| Large City | Municipal Corporation (Mahanagar Nigam) | Mayor |
| Medium Town | Municipality (Nagar Palika) | Chairperson |
| Small Town | Nagar Panchayat (Notified Area Council) | Chairperson |
Salient Features of 74th Amendment
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Constitutional Status | Added Part IX-A & 12th Schedule |
| Articles | 243P–243ZG |
| Types of Urban Bodies | Corporation, Municipality, Nagar Panchayat |
| Tenure | 5 years |
| Reservation | 1/3rd for women, proportionate for SC/ST/OBC |
| Finance & Election | State Finance Commission & State Election Commission |
| 12th Schedule | 18 subjects (Urban planning, water, sanitation, slums, etc.) |
Functions of Municipalities
- Urban planning and land regulation
- Water, sanitation, waste management
- Roads, bridges, public transport
- Lighting, poverty alleviation
- Public health and education
- Birth and death records maintenance
State Election Commission (Article 243K & 243ZA)
| Appointed By | Composition | Tenure | Functions |
|---|---|---|---|
| Governor | State Election Commissioner | Fixed (as per State) | Conducts Panchayat & Municipal elections |
State Finance Commission (Article 243I & 243Y)
| Constituted By | Recommends | Purpose |
|---|---|---|
| Governor (every 5 years) | Distribution of resources between State/local bodies | Strengthen autonomy of local bodies |
PYQs (Delhi Police, SSC & State Exams)
Q1. Panchayati Raj was given constitutional status by which Amendment?
A) 42nd B) 44th C) 73rd D) 74th
Answer
C) 73rd
Q2. The 74th Amendment deals with —
A) Rural Governance B) Urban Local Bodies C) Finance Commission D) Inter-State Relations
Answer
B) Urban Local Bodies
Q3. Panchayati Raj came into force on —
A) 24 April 1992 B) 24 April 1993 C) 1 June 1993 D) 2 October 1993
Answer
B) 24 April 1993
Q4. Which committee recommended the three-tier Panchayati Raj system?
A) Ashok Mehta Committee B) Balwant Rai Mehta Committee C) L.M. Singhvi Committee D) Sarkaria Committee
Answer
B) Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
Q5. Which Article provides for the State Finance Commission?
A) 243I B) 243K C) 243P D) 243Y
Answer
A) 243I
Q6. The tenure of Panchayats is —
A) 3 years B) 4 years C) 5 years D) 6 years
Answer
C) 5 years
Q7. Which Schedule of the Constitution contains subjects of Panchayati Raj?
A) 10th B) 11th C) 12th D) 9th
Answer
B) 11th
Q8. Which Schedule lists functions of Municipalities?
A) 10th Schedule B) 11th Schedule C) 12th Schedule D) 9th Schedule
Answer
C) 12th Schedule
Q9. The State Election Commission conducts elections for —
A) Lok Sabha and Rajya Sabha B) Panchayats and Municipalities C) State Assembly D) President
Answer
B) Panchayats and Municipalities
Q10. The constitutional status to Panchayats and Municipalities was given in the year —
A) 1991 B) 1992 C) 1993 D) 1995
Answer
C) 1993
Summary Table – Local Government at a Glance
| Type | Amendment | Part | Articles | Schedule | Key Bodies |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Panchayati Raj | 73rd (1992) | Part IX | 243–243O | 11th (29 subjects) | Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zila Parishad |
| Urban Local Bodies | 74th (1992) | Part IX-A | 243P–243ZG | 12th (18 subjects) | Nagar Panchayat, Municipality, Corporation |
Final Concept Recap
- 73rd Amendment (Rural) → Part IX, 11th Schedule, 29 Subjects
- 74th Amendment (Urban) → Part IX-A, 12th Schedule, 18 Subjects
- Panchayati Raj → Gram, Block, District levels
- Urban Bodies → Nagar Panchayat, Municipality, Corporation
- State Election Commission → Local elections
- State Finance Commission → Local finances
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