Panchayati Raj System
Essential Concepts for SSC GD Exams
1. Introduction
Panchayati Raj is India's rural local government system, meant to bring democracy and administration to villages. It is a 3-tier system established by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992. This topic is very important for SSC GD.
Simple Definition
Panchayati Raj is a 3-tier local government system in rural India established by the 73rd Amendment Act to empower villages.
2. Constitutional Status – 73rd Amendment Act, 1992
The Panchayati Raj system became constitutional through:
73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992)
- Implemented on 24 April 1993
- Added Part IX (Articles 243–243O)
- Added Eleventh Schedule (29 subjects)
Important Date
24 April = National Panchayati Raj Day
3. Features of 73rd Amendment (Most Important)
| Feature | Explanation |
|---|---|
| 3-tier system | Gram Panchayat → Panchayat Samiti → Zilla Parishad |
| Regular elections | Every 5 years |
| Reservation | SC, ST, OBC & Women (33% minimum) |
| Gram Sabha | Village-level assembly |
| State Finance Commission | Every 5 years |
| State Election Commission | Conducts panchayat elections |
| Eleventh Schedule | 29 subjects assigned to Panchayats |
Many states increased women reservation to 50%.
4. Structure of Panchayati Raj (3-Tier System)
India follows a three-tier system: Gram Panchayat → Panchayat Samiti → Zilla Parishad
4.1. Gram Panchayat (Village Level)
The lowest and most important tier.
Gram Sabha
- Assembly of all adult members (18+) of a village
- Approves budgets, decisions, schemes
Gram Panchayat
- Elected body at village level
- Head: Sarpanch (Pradhan)
- Term: 5 years
Functions
- Drinking water supply
- Street lighting
- Sanitation
- Rural roads
- Registration of births & deaths
4.2. Panchayat Samiti (Block / Taluka Level)
Middle tier covering many village panchayats.
Head
Chairperson (Pramukh)
Functions
- Implementing government schemes
- Agriculture development
- Rural health services
- Poverty alleviation
4.3. Zilla Parishad (District Level)
Top tier of Panchayati Raj.
Head
Zilla Parishad Chairperson
Vice-Chairperson
Deputy Chairperson
Functions
- Coordinates Panchayat Samitis
- District planning
- Construction of district roads
- Allocation of funds
- Supervises development programs
5. Eleventh Schedule – 29 Subjects of Panchayats
SSC GD often asks: How many subjects? → 29
Major Subjects Include:
- Agriculture
- Roads
- Health
- Education
- Women & child development
- Rural housing
- Drinking water
- Poverty reduction
- Social welfare
- Rural electrification
- Small-scale industries
- Fisheries
- Animal husbandry
Memory Trick:
"A–R–H–E–W–H–P–S–E" (Agriculture, Roads, Health, Education, Women, Housing, Poverty, Social welfare, Electricity)
6. Reservation in Panchayati Raj
6.1. Categories
- SC/ST → As per population
- Women → Minimum 33%, many states have 50%
- OBC → Provided by states
6.2. Applies To
- Chairperson posts (Sarpanch, Pramukh, Zilla Chairperson)
- Seat positions
7. Sources of Revenue of Panchayats
| Source | Details |
|---|---|
| Taxes | House tax, market tax |
| Grants | From State Govt & Central Govt |
| Share from schemes | MGNREGA, PMAY, etc. |
| Fees & fines | Trade license fees |
8. State Election Commission (SEC)
- Conducts panchayat elections
- Independent body
- Appointed by Governor
- Similar role as Election Commission of India, but only for local elections
9. State Finance Commission (SFC)
- Appointed every 5 years
- Decides distribution of funds to Panchayats
10. Important Committees Related to Panchayati Raj
| Committee | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957) | 3-tier Panchayat system |
| Ashok Mehta Committee (1977) | 2-tier system |
| G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985) | Strengthened Panchayats |
| L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986) | Constitutional status |
Actual constitutional status → 73rd Amendment (1992)
11. Difference Between Gram Sabha & Gram Panchayat
| Gram Sabha | Gram Panchayat |
|---|---|
| All adults of village | Elected members |
| Permanent body | Elected for 5 years |
| Approves plans | Implements plans |
| Controls Panchayat | Controlled by Sarpanch |
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