Local Government and Grassroots Administration: 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments
What the domain tests
This domain tests the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendments, the structure of rural and urban local government, and the fiscal and accountability arrangements that make grassroots democracy work.
Core rules and concepts
- The 73rd Amendment (1992, effective 1993) constitutionalized Panchayats; the 74th did the same for Municipalities.
- Three-tier panchayat structure: village, intermediate and district levels, with Gram Sabha under Article 243A.
- Article 243E: five-year term; elections before expiry; State Election Commission under Article 243K.
- Article 243I: State Finance Commission every five years to review panchayat finances; Article 243Y for municipalities.
- Eleventh Schedule lists 29 subjects for panchayats; Twelfth Schedule lists 18 for municipalities. Articles 243G and 243W allow state legislatures to devolve powers.
- Reservation for SC/ST and not less than one-third seats for women; Article 243ZD requires District Planning Committees.
Worked example
A Gram Panchayat wants to build a link road. It can use its own funds, tied state grants, and Finance Commission grants. The GP passes a resolution, executes the work, and places accounts before the Gram Sabha. The State Finance Commission recommends untied grants; the State Election Commission conducts elections; the DPC coordinates the district plan. The reasoning: constitutional status gives the GP legal personality and a five-year term, but fiscal devolution determines whether it can act.
Traps that cost marks
The 73rd Amendment does not automatically extend to Scheduled Areas; PESA (1996) provides a separate framework. The Eleventh Schedule lists subjects for devolution, not an exclusive Union or State list. Municipalities are not covered by the 73rd. A Gram Sabha is not the same as a Gram Panchayat. Reservation for women is at least one-third, not a fixed half.