Panchayati Raj Institutions
Constitutional Framework
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). It added Part IX (Articles 243 to 243O) to the Constitution, mandating the establishment of a three-tier structure of local self-governance in rural areas.
- Article 243B: Mandates a three-tier PRI structure — Gram Panchayat (village), Panchayat Samiti/Block Panchayat (intermediate), and Zila Parishad (district) — for states with population over 20 lakh.
- Article 243C: Composition of Panchayats — all seats filled by direct election by voters registered in the panchayat area.
- Article 243K: State Election Commission (SEC) — each state must have a State Election Commissioner (appointed by the Governor) with the same security of tenure as a High Court judge, responsible for superintendence, direction, and control of preparation of electoral rolls and conduct of elections to PRIs and Urban Local Bodies.
- Article 243E: Duration of panchayats — five-year term; fresh elections must be completed before expiry (unlike State/Central elections where a 6-month extension is possible in emergency).
- Panchayat elections are a state subject — the Constitution mandates them but details (number of tiers, reservation, etc.) are left to state legislation.
- The 11th Schedule (Article 243G): Lists 29 functions that may be devolved to panchayats — including agriculture, land improvement, rural housing, drinking water, social forestry, primary education, health, etc.
● Tracked since February 18, 2026 · last seen July 03, 2026 · updates as the daily brief publishes
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