The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 gave constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) — India's three-tier system of rural local self-government. It came into force on April 24, 1993.
The 73rd Amendment was inspired by the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957) recommendations on democratic decentralisation. It took India 35 years to give Panchayati Raj constitutional status — the amendment is often called India's 'second democratic revolution'.
The 73rd Amendment:
| Article | Provision |
|---|---|
| 243A | Gram Sabha (village assembly of all voters) |
| 243B | Three-tier Panchayat structure |
| 243C | Composition of Panchayats |
| 243D | Reservation of seats for SC, ST, and women (minimum 1/3) |
| 243E | Duration — 5-year term |
| 243F | Disqualifications |
| 243G | Powers, authority, and responsibilities |
| 243H | Finances |
| 243I | State Finance Commission — reviews financial position |
| 243K | State Election Commission — conducts Panchayat elections |
The **74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992** does for urban areas (Municipalities, Municipal Corporations) what the 73rd does for rural Panchayats — giving them constitutional status under Part IX-A and the 12th Schedule.
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