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73rd and 74th Amendments Panchayati Raj Class 11

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Political ScienceCBSE Class 11 · Local Governments

The 73rd and 74th Amendments: Panchayati Raj and Urban Local Bodies (Class 11 Political Science, Chapter 8)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The 73rd Amendment (rural) and 74th Amendment (urban), passed in 1992 and in force from 1993, gave local governments constitutional status: three-tier Panchayati Raj, Gram Sabhas, direct elections every five years, one-third reservation for women, SC/ST reservation in proportion to population, 29 subjects in the Eleventh Schedule, a State Election Commissioner and a State Finance Commission every five years.

Understand The 73rd and 74th Amendments: Panchayati Raj, Urban Local Bodies, Reservations and Implementation

Why this topic matters. Features of the 73rd Amendment are a regular long answer; numbers (29 subjects, one-third, five years, six months) are quick marks; limits of implementation are used in evaluation questions.

1. Structure. Uniform three tiers: Gram Panchayat (village or group of villages), Mandal / Block / Taluka Panchayat (intermediate; need not exist in smaller States) and Zilla Panchayat (district). The Gram Sabha is mandatory: all adult registered voters of the Panchayat area; its role is decided by State law.

2. Elections. All three levels are directly elected for five years. If a Panchayat is dissolved early, fresh elections must be held within six months.

3. Reservations. One-third of positions for women at all levels; SCs and STs in proportion to population; OBC reservation optional for States; reservations also apply to chairpersons. The women's one-third applies within SC and ST seats too.

4. Subjects. Twenty-nine subjects earlier in the State List are in the Eleventh Schedule for transfer to PRIs (agriculture, minor irrigation, rural housing, drinking water, roads, rural electrification, poverty alleviation, education, health and sanitation, public distribution system and others); actual transfer depends on State law.

5. Adivasi areas. A separate 1996 act extended the Panchayat system to Adivasi areas, protecting traditional ways of managing forests and water and giving Gram Sabhas more powers.

6. Two bodies. A State Election Commissioner conducts PRI elections, autonomous like the Election Commission of India but not linked to it. A State Finance Commission is appointed every five years to review local finances and the sharing of revenue between State and local bodies and between rural and urban bodies.

7. 74th Amendment. Urban area (Census): minimum population 5,000, at least 75 per cent of male working population in non-agricultural work, density at least 400 persons per sq km; about 31 per cent of Indians lived in urban areas in 2011. The provisions repeat the 73rd Amendment for Nagarpalikas (Corporations, Municipalities and Nagar Panchayats), with functions listed in the Twelfth Schedule.

8. Implementation. Achievements: all States passed conforming laws, most held at least two rounds of elections between 1994 and 2004; over 600 Zilla Panchayats, about 6,000 intermediate panchayats and 2,40,000 Gram Panchayats; over 32 lakh members elected every five years, at least 13 lakh of them women, compared with fewer than 5,000 MLAs and MPs together; SCs (16.2 per cent) and STs (8.2 per cent) of the population. Limitations: many States have not transferred most of the 29 subjects; local people have little say on programmes; finances are weak, since rural local bodies raise 0.24 per cent of revenue but account for 4 per cent of spending. Real decentralisation needs people to decide their own policies. In Bolivia (1994), 314 municipalities share 20 per cent of national taxes per capita.

The 73rd and 74th Amendments: Panchayati Raj, Urban Local Bodies, Reservations and Implementation: key facts

73rd Amendment
  • Three tiers
  • Gram Sabha mandatory
  • Five-year term
  • Fresh election within six months
  • One-third women
  • SC/ST in proportion
  • 29 subjects (Eleventh Schedule)
Rural.
Two bodies
State Election Commissioner: autonomous, conducts polls | State Finance Commission: every five years, reviews finances
Support institutions.
74th Amendment
  • Population 5,000
  • 75 per cent male workers non-agricultural
  • 400 persons per sq km
  • Twelfth Schedule
Urban.
Numbers
  • 32 lakh members
  • At least 13 lakh women
  • 2,40,000 Gram Panchayats
  • Rural bodies raise 0.24 per cent of revenue, spend 4 per cent
Implementation.

How to answer The 73rd and 74th Amendments: Panchayati Raj, Urban Local Bodies, Reservations and Implementation questions

Features of an Amendment are listed in a fixed order.

  1. 1State the structure (tiers) and Gram Sabha.
  2. 2Give elections (five years, six months).
  3. 3Give reservations (one-third women, SC/ST).
  4. 4Finish with subjects, Election Commissioner and Finance Commission, plus one limitation.

The 73rd and 74th Amendments: Panchayati Raj, Urban Local Bodies, Reservations and Implementation in real life

The idea, met in an everyday situation. Answer the question in your own words, then compare with the model answer. The one-line hook is what to remember.

Panchayat with nine seats

Suppose a Gram Panchayat has nine seats to be filled by direct election.

How many must be reserved for women?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. One-third of positions are reserved for women.
  2. 9 / 3 = 3 seats.

Answer: At least 3 seats (one-third).

Memory hook: Nine thirds make three.

Dissolved council

Suppose a State dissolves a Zilla Panchayat early because of a dispute.

What must happen next?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The Amendment requires fresh elections within six months.
  2. Earlier there was no such rule.

Answer: Fresh elections within six months.

Memory hook: Six months limit.

Tricks to remember The 73rd and 74th Amendments: Panchayati Raj, Urban Local Bodies, Reservations and Implementation

Short memory aids. Say each one aloud once, then use it on a question the same day.

  • 5, 6, 1/3, 29

    Term years, months for fresh polls, women's share, subjects

    Use it when: Numbers.

  • 73 rural, 74 urban

    Which amendment for which area

    Use it when: Memory.

  • Eleventh and Twelfth

    Eleventh Schedule rural subjects, Twelfth urban functions

    Use it when: Schedules.

The 73rd and 74th Amendments: Panchayati Raj, Urban Local Bodies, Reservations and Implementation: solved examples

Ordered from board level to HOTS. Try each one before you open the solution.

Example 1: Subjects list · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

The Eleventh Schedule lists how many subjects for Panchayats?
(A) 18
(B) 24
(C) 29
(D) 36

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. 29 subjects (1 mark).

Answer: (C)

Example 2: Gram Sabha · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

What is the Gram Sabha and who are its members? (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. A body of all adult registered voters in the Panchayat area (1 mark).
  2. Mandatory; its role decided by State law (1 mark).

Answer: The Gram Sabha is a mandatory body of all adult registered voters in the area of a Panchayat, and its role is decided by State law.

Example 3: Reservations · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Explain the reservation provisions of the 73rd Amendment. (3 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. One-third of positions for women at all levels, including chairpersons (1 mark).
  2. SCs and STs in proportion to their population at all three levels (1 mark).
  3. OBC reservation is optional for States; women's one-third applies within SC/ST seats too (1 mark).

Answer: One-third of the positions in all Panchayat institutions are reserved for women, including chairpersons. SCs and STs get reservation in proportion to their population at all three levels, and OBC reservation is optional for States. The women's one-third applies within the SC and ST seats as well, so a post may be reserved for a Dalit or Adivasi woman.

Example 4: Assertion and reason: finances · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

Assertion (A): Local bodies depend heavily on grants from higher governments.
Reason (R): Rural local bodies raise 0.24 per cent of total revenue but account for 4 per cent of spending.
(A) Both true, R explains A
(B) Both true, R does not explain A
(C) A true, R false
(D) A false, R true

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The gap between revenue and spending explains the dependence (1 mark).

Answer: (A)

Example 5: HOTS: numbers and reality · 5 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

Over 32 lakh members are elected to local bodies every five years, at least 13 lakh of them women, against fewer than 5,000 MLAs and MPs together. Find the share of women, compare the numbers, and evaluate whether elected numbers alone mean real decentralisation, using the limitations in the chapter. (5 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Women share = 13 / 32 = about 40.6 per cent (1 mark).
  2. Local members outnumber MLAs and MPs more than 640 times (32,00,000 / 5,000) (1 mark).
  3. Large numbers widen participation and give women a platform (1 mark).
  4. But many States have not transferred most of the 29 subjects, so power is limited (1 mark).
  5. Weak finances (0.24 per cent of revenue, 4 per cent of spending) show decentralisation is incomplete (1 mark).

Answer: Women make up at least 13 / 32 = about 40.6 per cent of local members, and 32 lakh local members are more than 640 times the fewer than 5,000 MLAs and MPs. This shows wide participation. But real decentralisation also needs power and money: many States have not transferred most of the 29 subjects, local people have little say in programmes, and rural local bodies raise only 0.24 per cent of revenue while accounting for 4 per cent of spending. So elected numbers alone do not show real decentralisation.

Where students lose marks in The 73rd and 74th Amendments: Panchayati Raj, Urban Local Bodies, Reservations and Implementation

The slips examiners see most often, and what to write instead.

  • Mistake: Saying the Gram Sabha is elected

    Role confusion.

    Wrong working

    Gram Sabha members are elected.

    Right working

    Gram Sabha consists of all adult registered voters.

    Do this: Say "all voters".

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Writing 24 subjects

    Number mix.

    Wrong working

    24 subjects in the Eleventh Schedule.

    Right working

    29 subjects.

    Do this: Learn 29.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Linking State Election Commissioner with the ECI

    Parallel body.

    Wrong working

    SEC works under the ECI.

    Right working

    It is autonomous and not linked to the ECI.

    Do this: Write "not controlled by".

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • List the features of the 73rd Amendment as numbered points.
  • Quote 29, five years, six months and one-third.
  • Give achievements and limitations in implementation.

Practice questions on The 73rd and 74th Amendments: Panchayati Raj, Urban Local Bodies, Reservations and Implementation

Write each answer on paper first. Open the hint only if you are stuck, and the answer only when you have finished.

  1. Q1 · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

    Which Schedule lists the functions of urban local bodies?
    (A) Seventh
    (B) Ninth
    (C) Eleventh
    (D) Twelfth

    Hint

    Nagarpalikas.

    Answer

    (D)

  2. Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

    What does the State Finance Commission do and how often is it appointed? (2 marks)

    Hint

    Five years.

    Answer

    It is appointed every five years to review local bodies' finances and the sharing of revenue between State and local bodies and between rural and urban bodies.

  3. Q3 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    State the criteria for an area to be urban for the Census. (3 marks)

    Hint

    Three criteria.

    Answer

    A minimum population of 5,000; at least 75 per cent of the male working population in non-agricultural occupations; and a density of at least 400 persons per sq km.

  4. Q4 · 3 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Why was a separate act for Adivasi areas passed in 1996? (3 marks)

    Hint

    Traditions.

    Answer

    The 73rd Amendment did not apply to Adivasi areas in many States, so a separate act in 1996 extended the Panchayat system there, protecting communities' traditional ways of managing forests and water and giving Gram Sabhas more powers.

  5. Q5 · 4 marks · Short answerHOTS / competency

    A State transfers only 5 of the 29 subjects to Panchayats and gives them small grants. Using the chapter, assess whether this meets the spirit of the 73rd Amendment and say what the State Finance Commission and the Gram Sabha could do. (4 marks)

    Hint

    Spirit of decentralisation.

    Answer

    Actual transfer depends on State law, so the State may do this, but it defeats the spirit of the Amendment because without power and funds elected members have limited autonomy, making their election partly symbolic. The State Finance Commission can review revenue sharing so local bodies get adequate funds, and an empowered Gram Sabha can push for accountability and for the transfer of more subjects.

Test your recall

Answer in your head or on paper first, then open the card. Pulling an answer out of memory makes it stick far better than re-reading.

  1. 1.How many tiers in Panchayati Raj?Show answer

    Three.

  2. 2.Who conducts Panchayat elections?Show answer

    The State Election Commissioner.

  3. 3.Which Schedule lists urban functions?Show answer

    The Twelfth.

  4. 4.What is the urban density criterion?Show answer

    At least 400 persons per sq km.

The 73rd and 74th Amendments: Panchayati Raj, Urban Local Bodies, Reservations and Implementation: frequently asked questions

Is the intermediate tier compulsory?

Not in smaller States.

Are OBC seats compulsory?

No; optional for States.

What happens after early dissolution?

Fresh elections within six months.