PANCHAYATI RAJ (QUICK REVISION NOTES FOR UPSC AND STATE PSC)
Panchayati Raj represents India's decentralized rural governance system, structured in three tiers: gram panchayats at the village level, panchayat samitis at the block level, and zilla parishads at the district level.
Rooted in Mahatma Gandhi's vision of Gram Swaraj, the modern system began with Jawaharlal Nehru inaugurating it in Nagaur, Rajasthan, on 2 October 1959, coinciding with Gandhi's birthday, followed by Andhra Pradesh on 11 October 1959
✅Term Panchayati Raj – rural local self-governance
✅ Constitutionalised through 73rd CAA,
✅The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, passed in December 1992, received presidential assent and came into force on 24 April 1993, granting constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) via new Part IX (Articles 243-243O) and the Eleventh Schedule listing 29 subjects
✅ celebrated annually as National Panchayati Raj Day since 2010.
✅ Earlier committees like Balwant Rai Mehta (1957) recommended the three-tier model, influencing post-independence implementation
▪️ 1992 Evolution of Panchayati Raj
1. Balwant Raj Mehta Committee
✅Recommended scheme for democratic decentralisation
✅Rajasthan was the first state to establish Panchayati Raj – 1959.
✅ Followed by Andhra Pradesh-1959
2. Ashok Mehta Committee
✅ Recommended 132 changes to revive the declining PR system
✅Three tier system of PR – replaced by two tier system – Zila Parishad at district and Mandal Panchayat below it.
✅ District should be first point for decentralisation.
✅PR institutions have compulsory powers of taxation and managing on finances
✅Nyaya panchayats are to be kept separate bodies – preside over by qualified judge.
✅ Minister for PR to be appointed and state answer of ministers.
✅Seats for SC/ST reserved on the basis of population
✅ Could not be implemented due to the collapse of Janata government.
3. GVK Rao Committee
4. L M Singhvi Committee
5. Thungon Committee
6. Gadgil Committee
✅Constituted in 1988 – “how best PR institutions could be made effective”
✅Constitutional status bestowed on PR.
✅Three tier system – Village, block and district levels.
✅Fixed term of five years for members – elected directly – reservation for SC/ST/woman
✅ The state finance commission, State election commission for management
▪️73rd CAA 1992
✅ Part 9 to the Constitution – the Panchayats – Article 243 to 243 O
✅ Landmark in evolution of grassroot democracy.
✅ Salient Features:
a. Gram Sabha
b. Three tier system
c. Election of members and chairperson
d. Version of seats.
e. Duration of Panchayat fixed.
f. Disqualification prescribed.
g. State election commission.
h. Finance commission - audits and accounts.
▪️PESA Act, 1996 Provisions of the Panchayats (extensions to the Scheduled Areas) Act, 1996 - Objectives:
✅ Extend provisions of Part 9 to scheduled areas with certain modifications.
✅ Self-rule for the bulk of tribal population.
✅ Safeguard and preserve traditions and customs of tribal communities.
✅ Empower panchayats for tribal requirement
✅ Provide village governance with participated democracy
Reasons for ineffective performance
1. Of adequate devolution.
2. Excessive control of bureaucracy.
3. Tied nature of funds.
4. Overwhelming dependence on government funding.
5. Status of gram Sabha.
6. Creation of parallel bodies.
7. Poor infrastructure
73rd Amendment Highlights:
✅The Act added Part IX (Articles 243-243 O) to the Constitution, mandating Panchayat elections every five years, reservations for SC/ST and women (at least one-third seats), and State Finance Commissions for fiscal devolution. Minimum age for Panchayat membership is 21 years, and Panchayats handle 29 subjects listed in the 11th Schedule, including rural housing and minor irrigation.
✅Practice Old UPSC model Question:
Q1: The Panchayati Raj system was first introduced based on recommendations of which committee?
(a) Sarkaria
(b) Ashok Mehta
(c) Balwant Rai Mehta
(d) Kothari.
Q2: According to the 73rd Amendment, the minimum age for Panchayat membership is:
(a) 18
(b) 21
(c) 25
(d) 30.
Q3: Which Amendment constitutionalized PRIs?
(a) 42nd
(b) 73rd
(c) 74th
(d) 86th
