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Zila Parishad and Municipal Corporation ISC Class 12

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Political ScienceISC Class 12 · Local Self-Government

Zila Parishad and Municipal Corporation: Composition, Functions and Comparison (ISC Class 12)

Updated 17 October 2026 · Fact-checked

The Zila Parishad is the district-level body of rural local government (73rd Amendment, Part IX) and the Municipal Corporation is the local body of a large city (74th Amendment, Part IXA). Both have directly elected members, reserved seats and a five-year term, but the Zila Parishad coordinates and plans rural development while the Corporation provides civic services.

Notice that both bodies are elected for five years, but the Zila Parishad plans rural development while the Corporation provides civic services.

Illustration drawn for QuestionBuddy.

Understand Zila Parishad and Municipal Corporation: Composition, Functions and Comparison

Why this topic matters. The syllabus asks for the "composition and functions of Zila Parishad and Municipal Corporation" and nothing wider at the local level. The answers must be specific: who sits on each body, who heads it, and what it does. Since details vary from state to state because state law decides them, write "as provided by state law" where this applies.

1. Constitutional background (in brief). The 73rd Amendment (in force 1993) added Part IX for panchayats and the Eleventh Schedule (29 subjects); the 74th Amendment (in force 1993) added Part IXA for municipalities and the Twelfth Schedule (18 subjects). Both require regular elections every five years, reservation for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and at least one-third of seats for women, a State Election Commission and a State Finance Commission.

2. Zila Parishad (district panchayat).

*Position.* The top tier of the three-tier panchayati raj system: Gram Panchayat (village), Panchayat Samiti (block), Zila Parishad (district). It supervises the lower tiers.

*Composition (state law decides the details).*

1. Members elected directly by voters in territorial constituencies of the district.
2. Chairpersons of the Panchayat Samitis, who are members ex officio in many states.
3. Members of the Lok Sabha, the state Legislative Assembly and sometimes the Rajya Sabha and Legislative Council from the district, as the state law provides.
4. Reserved seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women (not less than one-third, including those from SC and ST).
5. A Chairperson (president), elected by and from the elected members, and a Vice-Chairperson.
6. A Chief Executive Officer, usually a senior officer of the state government, who is the chief administrative officer.
7. Term: five years.

*Functions.*

1. Coordinate and supervise the Panchayat Samitis and Gram Panchayats of the district.
2. Prepare district development plans and consolidate the plans of the lower tiers (with the District Planning Committee).
3. Distribute grants received from the state government and Union among the Samitis.
4. Carry out schemes in agriculture, minor irrigation, rural roads, drinking water, health, primary and secondary education and poverty alleviation.
5. Advise the state government on matters of district development.

3. Municipal Corporation.

*Position.* The local body of a large city. Smaller towns have a Municipal Council and areas in transition from rural to urban have a Nagar Panchayat (Article 243Q).

*Composition (state law decides the details).*

1. Councillors (corporators), elected directly from the wards of the city for five years.
2. A few nominated persons who have special knowledge or experience of municipal administration, without the right to vote (Article 243R).
3. Members of Parliament and of the state legislature representing the city areas, as the state law provides.
4. Reserved seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women (not less than one-third).
5. A Mayor (the head of the corporation and presiding officer, elected by the councillors in most states and directly by voters in some) and a Deputy Mayor.
6. A Municipal Commissioner, an officer appointed by the state government, who is the executive head.
7. Committees, including a Standing Committee and ward committees in cities with a population of three lakh or more.

*Functions.*

  • Obligatory: water supply; drainage, sanitation and solid-waste disposal; roads and street lighting; public health and prevention of epidemics; registration of births and deaths; fire services; primary education in many states; markets; burial and cremation grounds.
  • Discretionary: parks, libraries and museums; public transport; housing; town planning; cultural and recreational activities.
  • Twelfth Schedule subjects include urban planning, regulation of land use, slum improvement, urban poverty alleviation and public amenities.

4. Sources of income.

  • *Zila Parishad:* mainly grants from the state and the Union, a share of state taxes recommended by the State Finance Commission, and small local fees and taxes.
  • *Municipal Corporation:* property tax (the main source), taxes on advertisements and entertainment, fees for licences and services, user charges for water, and grants from the state. Some states have given up certain older taxes such as octroi.

5. Comparison.

BasisZila ParishadMunicipal Corporation
AreaRural districtLarge city
Constitutional basis73rd Amendment, Part IX, Eleventh Schedule (29 subjects)74th Amendment, Part IXA, Twelfth Schedule (18 subjects)
Elected membersFrom territorial constituenciesFrom wards
HeadChairperson, elected by membersMayor (ceremonial/presiding); Commissioner is the executive head
Chief officerChief Executive OfficerMunicipal Commissioner
Main roleCoordination, planning, development of rural areasDelivery of civic services
Main financeGrantsProperty tax and fees

6. Problems often noted. Dependence on grants; irregular delegation of powers by states; shortage of staff; and weak participation. These are matters of discussion, and answers should state them neutrally.

Zila Parishad and Municipal Corporation: Composition, Functions and Comparison: key facts

Zila Parishad
  • District body
  • Elected members, Samiti chairpersons, MPs and MLAs as per state law
  • Chairperson elected from members
  • CEO administers
  • Five years
Details vary by state.
Municipal Corporation
  • Large city
  • Councillors from wards
  • Mayor presides
  • Commissioner is executive head
  • Five years
  • Reservation for SC, ST and one-third women
Articles 243Q and 243R.
Functions of Municipal Corporation
Obligatory: water, sanitation, roads, lighting, health, births and deaths, fire services | Discretionary: parks, libraries, transport, housing
Two groups.
Finance
Zila Parishad: grants and Finance Commission shares | Municipal Corporation: property tax, fees, licences, grants
Compare the main sources.

How to answer Zila Parishad and Municipal Corporation: Composition, Functions and Comparison questions

Questions are usually "Describe the composition and functions of the Zila Parishad (or Municipal Corporation)" for 4 to 6 marks, or a comparison.

  1. 1Open with the position of the body and its constitutional basis.
  2. 2Write composition as numbered points, ending with the head and the chief officer.
  3. 3Group functions into obligatory and discretionary for the Corporation; use development heads for the Zila Parishad.
  4. 4Add "as provided by state law" for variable details.
  5. 5In a comparison, use area, composition, head, functions and finances.

Zila Parishad and Municipal Corporation: Composition, Functions and Comparison 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.

Coordination versus service delivery

Suppose a district-level committee plans and shares funds among many village groups, while a city committee sweeps streets, runs water supply and lights the lanes in a large town.

Which body does each committee resemble?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The district-level planning and fund sharing resembles the Zila Parishad.
  2. The street, water and lighting services resemble the Municipal Corporation.

Answer: The first is like the Zila Parishad; the second like the Municipal Corporation.

Memory hook: Zila plans; Corporation serves.

Ceremonial head and executive head

Imagine a school assembly presided over by an elected student, while a teacher appointed by the school office carries out the decisions.

Which positions in the Corporation do they resemble?

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. The elected student presiding resembles the Mayor.
  2. The appointed teacher implementing resembles the Municipal Commissioner.

Answer: Mayor and Municipal Commissioner.

Memory hook: Mayor presides; Commissioner executes.

Tricks to remember Zila Parishad and Municipal Corporation: Composition, Functions and Comparison

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

  • Zila Parishad: E-C-M-R

    Elected members, Chairpersons of Samitis, MPs/MLAs, Reserved seats.

    Use it when: Composition.

  • Corporation: C-M-C

    Councillors, Mayor, Commissioner.

    Use it when: Composition.

  • Schedules: 29 and 18

    Eleventh = 29 subjects (rural); Twelfth = 18 subjects (urban).

    Use it when: Numbers.

Zila Parishad and Municipal Corporation: Composition, Functions and Comparison: solved examples

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

Example 1: Discretionary function · 1 mark · MCQBoard level

Which one of the following is a discretionary function of a Municipal Corporation?
(a) Supply of drinking water
(b) Registration of births and deaths
(c) Maintenance of parks and gardens
(d) Fire services

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Parks and gardens are a discretionary function; the others are obligatory (1 mark).

Answer: (c) Maintenance of parks and gardens

Example 2: Composition · 2 marks · Very short answerBoard level

State any two members of a Zila Parishad other than the directly elected members. (2 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Chairpersons of Panchayat Samitis (1 mark).
  2. MPs and MLAs of the district, as state law provides (1 mark).

Answer: Besides the directly elected members, a Zila Parishad may include the chairpersons of the Panchayat Samitis of the district and the Members of Parliament and state legislature from the district, as the state law provides.

Example 3: Assertion and reason · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

Assertion (A): A Municipal Corporation is set up for a large urban area.
Reason (R): Article 243Q provides for a Nagar Panchayat, a Municipal Council and a Municipal Corporation according to the size of the area.
(a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
(b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
(c) A is true but R is false.
(d) A is false but R is true.

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Both true; R explains the type for each size (1 mark).

Answer: (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.

Example 4: Functions · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

Describe four functions of a Municipal Corporation. (4 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Water and sanitation (1 mark).
  2. Roads and lighting (1 mark).
  3. Public health and vital records (1 mark).
  4. One discretionary function (1 mark).

Answer: (i) It supplies drinking water and provides drainage, sanitation and the removal of solid waste. (ii) It builds and maintains roads and bridges and provides street lighting. (iii) It looks after public health, runs hospitals and dispensaries, prevents epidemics and registers births and deaths. (iv) Among its discretionary functions are the maintenance of parks, libraries and public transport and town-planning activities.

Example 5: Comparison · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

Compare the Zila Parishad with the Municipal Corporation on composition, head, functions and finances. (6 marks)

Try it first, then show the solutionSolution
  1. Composition (1.5 marks).
  2. Head (1.5 marks).
  3. Functions (1.5 marks).
  4. Finances (1.5 marks).

Answer: Composition: the Zila Parishad has directly elected members from territorial constituencies, along with chairpersons of Samitis and, as state law provides, MPs and MLAs of the district; the Corporation consists of councillors elected from wards, with a few nominated experts without votes. Both reserve seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women.

Head: the Zila Parishad is headed by a Chairperson elected from its members, with a Chief Executive Officer as administrative head; the Corporation has a Mayor as presiding head and a Municipal Commissioner appointed by the state as executive head.

Functions: the Zila Parishad coordinates and supervises the Samitis, prepares district plans and carries out rural development; the Corporation provides civic services such as water, sanitation, roads and health.

Finances: the Zila Parishad relies mainly on grants; the Corporation relies on property tax, fees and licences with state grants.

Where students lose marks in Zila Parishad and Municipal Corporation: Composition, Functions and Comparison

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

  • Mistake: Writing the features of the 74th Amendment when functions are asked

    Not reading the question.

    Wrong working

    Constitutional status, reservations, Finance Commission.

    Right working

    Obligatory and discretionary functions such as water supply and sanitation.

    Do this: Underline "functions".

    Usually costs: 2 marks.

  • Mistake: Confusing Mayor and Commissioner

    Roles not learnt.

    Wrong working

    The Mayor is the chief executive appointed by the state.

    Right working

    The Mayor presides; the Municipal Commissioner is the executive head.

    Do this: Mayor = presides; Commissioner = executes.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

  • Mistake: Writing "Panchayati Raj" for the Eleventh Schedule

    Names not learnt.

    Wrong working

    The Eleventh Schedule is for urban bodies.

    Right working

    Eleventh: rural, 29 subjects; Twelfth: urban, 18 subjects.

    Do this: Link number with level.

    Usually costs: 1 mark.

Exam tips

  • Mention that details vary by state law.
  • Give numbered composition points and end with the head and chief officer.
  • Group Corporation functions as obligatory and discretionary.
  • Use a table for comparisons.

Practice questions on Zila Parishad and Municipal Corporation: Composition, Functions and Comparison

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

    The Twelfth Schedule contains how many subjects for municipalities?
    (a) 11
    (b) 18
    (c) 29
    (d) 73

    Hint

    The 74th Amendment.

    Answer

    (b) 18.

  2. Q2 · 2 marks · Very short answerHarder board level

    What is the role of the Municipal Commissioner? (2 marks)

    Hint

    Executive head.

    Answer

    The Municipal Commissioner, usually a senior officer appointed by the state government, is the chief executive of the Municipal Corporation. The Commissioner carries out the decisions of the council and its committees and manages the administration.

  3. Q3 · 1 mark · Assertion-reasonHarder board level

    Assertion (A): The Chairperson of the Zila Parishad is elected by the people of the district directly in all states.
    Reason (R): The 73rd Amendment requires that chairpersons of the district tier be elected from among the elected members.
    (a) Both A and R are true and R is the correct explanation of A.
    (b) Both A and R are true but R is not the correct explanation of A.
    (c) A is true but R is false.
    (d) A is false but R is true.

    Hint

    Indirect election of chairpersons.

    Answer

    (d) A is false but R is true.

  4. Q4 · 4 marks · Short answerHarder board level

    Describe the composition of the Zila Parishad and explain any two of its functions. (4 marks)

    Hint

    Members and head, then functions.

    Answer

    The Zila Parishad includes members directly elected from territorial constituencies of the district, the chairpersons of the Panchayat Samitis, MPs and MLAs of the district where state law provides, and reserved seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women; it is headed by a Chairperson elected from the elected members, with a Chief Executive Officer as chief administrator. Two functions: it coordinates and supervises the work of the Panchayat Samitis and Gram Panchayats, and it prepares district development plans and distributes grants among the Samitis.

  5. Q5 · 6 marks · Long answerHOTS / competency

    Suppose a city corporation has wide responsibilities but depends on grants from the state for most of its money. Explain the reasons why the 74th Amendment provided for a State Finance Commission and State Election Commission, and discuss how these help the corporation's autonomy. (6 marks)

    Hint

    Finance, elections, autonomy.

    Answer

    The 74th Amendment provided for a State Finance Commission to review every five years the financial position of municipalities and recommend the principles for sharing taxes between the state and municipalities, the taxes and fees they may levy and the grants-in-aid to them. This is to reduce dependence on the discretion of state governments and to give local bodies a more assured share of resources. A State Election Commission, independent of the state government, conducts municipal elections, so that elections are held regularly and fairly; municipalities must be elected within six months of dissolution. Together, these provisions strengthen the autonomy of the corporation: regular elections make councillors accountable to citizens, and a fixed finance process helps the corporation plan services. However, powers and functions are still devolved by state law, and many corporations remain dependent on state grants, so the autonomy is real but incomplete.

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.Which Amendment is for urban local bodies?Show answer

    The 74th Amendment.

  2. 2.Who is the executive head of a Corporation?Show answer

    The Municipal Commissioner.

  3. 3.How many subjects are in the Eleventh Schedule?Show answer

    29.

  4. 4.Which is the main tax of a Municipal Corporation?Show answer

    Property tax.

  5. 5.What is the term of local bodies?Show answer

    Five years.

Zila Parishad and Municipal Corporation: Composition, Functions and Comparison: frequently asked questions

What is the top tier of panchayati raj?

The Zila Parishad at the district level.

Who elects the Mayor?

In most states the councillors elect the Mayor; in some states the voters do.

Does the Zila Parishad deal with a city?

No, it deals with rural areas; cities have municipalities.

What are ward committees?

Committees in municipalities of three lakh or more population to bring local administration closer to citizens.