Study Guides/Civics/Article 243 of the Indian Constitution
Study Guide · Civics

Article 243: The Panchayati Raj System

Article 243 forms the core of local self-government in India. Introduced heavily by the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts in 1992, this article provides the constitutional foundation for Panchayats (rural local bodies) and Municipalities (urban local bodies).

Question (Click to Flip)

What is a Gram Sabha according to Article 243?

Answer

A Gram Sabha is a body consisting of all persons whose names are registered in the electoral rolls (voters list) for the village area. It is the foundation of the Panchayat system.

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Key Facts

The 73rd Amendment gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions.

States with a population of less than 20 lakhs are not required to have the intermediate (Block) level panchayat.

The State Election Commission is responsible for conducting these local elections.

1. The Structure of Part IX

Article 243 is not just a single article; it is a whole series of articles from 243 to 243O (for Panchayats) and 243P to 243ZG (for Municipalities).

  • Article 243: Defines terms like 'District', 'Gram Sabha', and 'Panchayat'.
  • Article 243A: Empowers the Gram Sabha to perform functions at the village level.
  • Article 243B: Mandates a three-tier system of Panchayats (Village level, Intermediate level, and District level) in every state.

2. Key Features of the Panchayati Raj System

  • Direct Elections: All seats in a Panchayat are filled by persons chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies.
  • Reservation of Seats: Seats are reserved for Scheduled Castes (SCs), Scheduled Tribes (STs), and specifically, one-third (33%) of the total seats are reserved for Women.
  • Duration: Every Panchayat has a fixed term of 5 years.

Questions and Answers

What is a Gram Sabha according to Article 243?+

A Gram Sabha is a body consisting of all persons whose names are registered in the electoral rolls (voters list) for the village area. It is the foundation of the Panchayat system.

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