Lesson 8. Panchayati Raj and Municipalities (Local Governance)

The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts, which gave constitutional status to Panchayats and Municipalities, are a compact but critical area. Understand the compulsory and voluntary provisions of these acts, the three-tier structure of Panchayati Raj (Gram, Block, District), the types of urban municipalities, and the composition and elections of these bodies. Key concepts include the roles and reservation for SCs/STs/women, the State Election Commission and State Finance Commission’s functions for local bodies, and the devolution of powers (the 11th and 12th Schedules). Questions often test specific articles (243-243ZG), the duration of these bodies, and audits of their accounts. Additional Resources: Government schemes like the 15th Finance Commission’s grants to local bodies are a dynamic link. The Ministry of Panchayati Raj and Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs websites offer policy documents. The Economic Survey often has a chapter on fiscal federalism discussing local government finances.