Panchayati Raj refers to the rural local self-government system in India.
It aims to decentralize power to the grassroots level and ensure people’s participation in governance.
“Democracy at the grassroots” is the true spirit of Panchayati Raj.
Historical Background
Event
Importance
Community Development Programme (1952)
First major initiative for rural development.
Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957)
Recommended 3-tier Panchayati Raj system.
Ashok Mehta Committee (1978)
Recommended 2-tier system and greater powers to Panchayats.
73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992)
Gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
Constitutional Provisions
Article
Subject
Articles 243–243O
Panchayati Raj Institutions
11th Schedule
List of 29 subjects for Panchayats
73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992
Passed in 1992, came into force on 24th April 1993.
Added Part IX (Articles 243–243O) to the Constitution.
Gave constitutional status to PRIs.
Structure of Panchayati Raj System
Three-Tier Structure:
Level
Body
Coverage
1st Tier
Gram Panchayat
Village level
2nd Tier
Panchayat Samiti
Block/Taluk level
3rd Tier
Zila Parishad
District level
Note:
States with population below 20 lakh may have only two-tiers.
Important Institutions under Panchayati Raj
1. Gram Sabha (Article 243B)
Body of all adult residents (18 years and above) of a village.
Foundation of Panchayati Raj system.
Functions:
Approves village plans and budgets,
Ensures accountability of Panchayat.
2. Gram Panchayat
Executive body at village level.
Headed by Sarpanch (elected by people).
Functions:
Rural development,
Sanitation,
Drinking water supply,
Street lighting.
3. Panchayat Samiti
Intermediate tier at block level.
Headed by a Chairperson (elected).
Coordinates activities of Gram Panchayats.
Implement development programs.
4. Zila Parishad
Apex body at district level.
Headed by President or Chairperson.
Coordinates and supervises entire Panchayati Raj in the district.
Elections to Panchayats
Feature
Details
Election Authority
State Election Commission
Frequency
Every 5 years (mandatory)
Reservation
– 1/3rd seats reserved for women, – Reservation for SCs/STs proportionate to their population, – Can also reserve seats for OBCs (at State’s discretion).
Duration of Panchayats
5 years term from the date of first meeting.
If dissolved before 5 years:
Re-election must be conducted within 6 months.
11th Schedule — Subjects under Panchayats
Area
Examples
Agriculture
Land improvement, agriculture extension.
Education
Primary and adult education.
Health
Rural health, sanitation.
Social Welfare
Welfare of weaker sections, women, children.
Infrastructure
Roads, bridges, rural housing, drinking water.
(29 Subjects listed.)
State Finance Commission (Article 243I)
Setup every 5 years by Governor.
Recommends:
Distribution of financial resources between State and Panchayats,
Grants-in-aid,
Ways to strengthen Panchayats financially.
State Election Commission (Article 243K)
Conducts elections to Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Autonomous body (like Election Commission of India).
Importance of Panchayati Raj System
Benefit
Explanation
Decentralization
Power closer to people.
Local Self-Government
Solutions tailored for local problems.
Participation
Citizens directly involved in decision making.
Accountability
Local leaders accountable to villagers.
Development
Faster and more focused rural development.
Challenges Facing Panchayati Raj
Lack of adequate funds,
Political interference,
Low awareness among villagers,
Poor devolution of powers by State governments,
Capacity building issues (lack of training for Panchayat members),
Proxy leadership (women Sarpanches controlled by male relatives).
Steps Needed for Strengthening PRIs
Actual transfer of 3 Fs:
Functions,
Funds,
Functionaries.
Empower Gram Sabhas meaningfully,
Capacity-building programs for Panchayat leaders,
Transparent and regular financial audits,
Promote Women Leadership and Youth Participation.
Important Committees Related to Panchayati Raj
Committee
Recommendation
Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957)
3-tier Panchayati Raj, direct elections at village level.
Ashok Mehta Committee (1978)
2-tier system, strong district-level government.
GVK Rao Committee (1985)
Panchayati Raj as the primary development agency.
LM Singhvi Committee (1986)
Constitutional status for Panchayats (realized in 1992).
Comparison: Panchayati Raj vs Urban Local Bodies
Feature
Panchayati Raj
Urban Local Bodies
Applicable to
Rural areas
Urban areas
Constitutional Amendment
73rd (1992)
74th (1992)
Main bodies
Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zila Parishad
Municipal Corporation, Municipality, Nagar Panchayat
Conclusion
Panchayati Raj Institutions are the backbone of Indian democracy at the grassroots level. Empowering Panchayats ensures real democracy, better governance, and inclusive development.
“India lives in her villages — and democracy must live there too.” — Mahatma Gandhi
Important Quick Facts for Prelims & Mains
Fact
Detail
73rd Amendment Year
1992
Parts added
Part IX
Schedule added
11th Schedule
Articles added
243–243O
Minimum age for Panchayat elections
21 years (State can prescribe)
Reservation for women in Panchayats
Minimum 1/3rd
Chapter 48: Urban Local Government — 74th Amendment, Municipalities, Corporations
Introduction
Urban Local Government is the system of self-governance in cities and towns.
Needed because of:
Rapid urbanization,
Growing population in urban areas,
Need for efficient urban services like water, housing, waste management, transport.
Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) bring governance closer to urban citizens.
Historical Background
Event
Importance
Lord Ripon’s Resolution (1882)
“Father of Local Self-Government in India”.
Government of India Act, 1919
Gave importance to local bodies.
Government of India Act, 1935
Local self-government became provincial subject.
74th Constitutional Amendment Act (1992)
Gave constitutional status to Urban Local Bodies.
Constitutional Provisions
Article
Subject
Articles 243P–243ZG
Urban Local Bodies
12th Schedule
18 subjects for Municipalities
74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992
Passed in 1992, came into force on 1st June 1993.
Added Part IXA to the Constitution (Articles 243P–243ZG).
Gave constitutional status to Urban Local Governments.
Structure of Urban Local Government
Three Types of Municipal Bodies
Type
Criteria
1. Nagar Panchayat
For areas in transition from rural to urban (semi-urban areas).
2. Municipal Council (Municipality)
For smaller urban areas (towns and small cities).
3. Municipal Corporation (Mahanagar Palika)
For larger urban areas (big cities with large populations, e.g., Delhi, Mumbai).
Composition of Urban Local Bodies
Directly elected members (Councillors/Corporators) from municipal wards.
Chairperson/Mayor elected either directly by people or indirectly by elected members.
In larger cities, Mayor and Municipal Commissioner (appointed by State) share powers.
Elections to Municipal Bodies
Feature
Details
Authority
Conducted by State Election Commission
Frequency
Every 5 years (mandatory)
Reservation
– SCs, STs, and women (1/3rd seats reserved for women)
Disqualification
Same as for State Legislature (as prescribed by State laws).
Duration of Urban Local Bodies
5-year term.
Fresh elections must be held within 6 months if dissolved prematurely.
12th Schedule — Functions of Municipalities
(18 functional items assigned)
Function Area
Examples
Urban Planning
Town planning, land-use regulation.
Regulation of Land Use
Building regulations, approvals.
Water Supply
For domestic, commercial, industrial purposes.
Public Health
Sanitation, hospitals, public conveniences.
Urban Forestry
Protection of environment, urban greenery.
Slum Improvement
Upgradation of slum areas, poverty alleviation.
Urban Transport
Roads, bridges, public transport facilities.
Committees in Urban Governance
Ward Committees (Article 243S)
Created for cities with population above 3 lakhs.
Consists of elected Councillors and local residents.
Purpose:
Promote participation at the micro-local level.
Metropolitan Planning Committee (Article 243ZE)
For metropolitan areas (population over 10 lakh).
Plans coordinated development for the entire metro area (housing, infrastructure, transport).
Other Committees (Optional by State Laws)
District Planning Committees,
Standing Committees for Finance, Health, Education, etc.
Limited citizen participation in planning processes.
Steps Needed to Strengthen Urban Governance
Grant ULBs greater fiscal autonomy,
Professionalize municipal administration (hire urban planners, engineers),
Strengthen Ward Committees,
Promote e-Governance in urban services,
Encourage Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) for infrastructure projects.
Smart Cities Mission and AMRUT
Smart Cities Mission (2015):
Urban renewal and retrofitting program — 100 cities selected.
AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation):
Focus on improving basic urban infrastructure like water supply, sewerage, green spaces.
Both aim to strengthen urban governance and citizen-centered development.
Conclusion
Urban Local Bodies are critical for efficient, inclusive, and sustainable development of cities. Empowering them will create livable cities, better public services, and strong urban democracy.
“If India is to modernize, its cities must be the engines of growth — and for that, cities must govern themselves effectively.“
Important Quick Facts for Prelims & Mains
Fact
Detail
74th Amendment Year
1992
Part added
Part IXA
Schedule added
12th Schedule
Articles added
243P–243ZG
First Municipal Corporation in India
Madras (now Chennai), 1687
Authority for Urban Local Elections
State Election Commission
Chapter 49: Union Public Service Commission (UPSC) and State Public Service Commissions (PSC)
Introduction
UPSC and State PSCs are constitutional bodies.
They ensure:
Merit-based recruitment for government services,
Fair and transparent examination and selection processes.
Independent commissions are essential for maintaining efficiency, neutrality, and integrity in the civil services.
Constitutional Provisions
Body
Article(s)
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
Articles 315–323
State Public Service Commissions (SPSC)
Articles 315–323
Both Union and State Commissions are governed by the same set of Articles.
Union Public Service Commission (UPSC)
1. Composition
Feature
Detail
Chairman
Appointed by President
Other Members
Appointed by President
Number of Members
Constitution does not fix number (decided by President)
Tenure
6 years or till 65 years of age (whichever earlier)
2. Qualifications of Members
At least half of the members must have held office for at least 10 years either:
Under the Government of India, or
Under a State Government.
(No specific educational qualifications prescribed.)
3. Removal and Suspension
Can be removed only by the President on grounds of:
Misbehavior (after Supreme Court inquiry),
Insolvency,
Engaging in paid employment outside duties,
Mental or physical infirmity.
Thus, high protection to ensure independence.
4. Functions of UPSC
Main Functions
Type
Details
Recruitment
Conducts exams for All-India Services (IAS, IPS, IFoS) and Central Services (e.g., IFS, IRS, IAAS).
Appointments
Direct recruitment by selection, promotion, deputation.
Advise the Government
On disciplinary matters, service rules, promotions, transfers.
Consultative Role
On matters referred by President.
Important Exams Conducted by UPSC
Civil Services Examination (CSE) — IAS, IPS, IFS, IRS, etc.
Indian Forest Service Exam,
Engineering Services Exam (ESE),
Combined Defence Services (CDS) Exam,
National Defence Academy (NDA) Exam,
Combined Medical Services (CMS) Exam,
Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) Exam,
Indian Economic Service/Statistical Service Exam.
5. Reports
UPSC submits an annual report to the President.
Report is laid before both Houses of Parliament.
6. Independence of UPSC
Fixed tenure and service conditions,
Cannot be removed except by special procedure,
Expenses charged on Consolidated Fund of India (non-votable in Parliament),
No executive interference in their decision-making.
State Public Service Commissions (SPSC)
1. Composition
Feature
Detail
Chairman
Appointed by Governor
Other Members
Appointed by Governor
Tenure
6 years or till 62 years of age (whichever earlier)
2. Functions
Same as UPSC but for State Services (e.g., PCS in UP, MPPSC, MPSC, etc.).
Conduct exams for recruitment to:
State Civil Services,
State Police Services,
Various other State-level services.
3. Independence
Similar safeguards as UPSC:
Fixed tenure,
Protection against arbitrary removal,
Salaries charged on State’s Consolidated Fund.
4. Report
Each SPSC submits an annual report to the Governor,
Governor lays it before the State Legislature.
Comparison: UPSC vs State PSC
Feature
UPSC
State PSC
Appointment
By President
By Governor
Jurisdiction
Central Services
State Services
Retirement Age
65 years
62 years
Reports Submitted To
President
Governor
Funding
Consolidated Fund of India
Consolidated Fund of State
Joint State Public Service Commission (Article 315)
Parliament can establish a Joint PSC for two or more States (on State Legislatures’ request).
Appointed by the President.
Example: No active Joint PSC currently.
Role of Public Service Commissions in Indian Administration
Role
Importance
Ensure Meritocracy
Selection based on qualifications, not favoritism.
Maintain Integrity
Independent functioning ensures fair recruitment.
Advisory Role
Government benefits from expert advice on service matters.
Protect Civil Services
Shield civil servants from political interference.
Challenges and Criticisms
Delay in recruitments,
Backlog of vacancies in many departments,
Political pressure in some cases,
Need for modernization — slow adoption of technology.
Public Service Commissions are the pillars of impartial and efficient administration. Safeguarding their independence ensures that civil services attract the best talents and uphold constitutional governance.
“A strong civil service is the backbone of a strong democracy.“