Which Part of the Constitution has the provisions for Panchayati Raj System?

2018

Which Part of the Constitution has the provisions for Panchayati Raj System?

  1. A.

    IX

  2. B.

    VI

  3. C.

    III

  4. D.

    IV

Attempted by 4 students.

Show answer & explanation

Correct answer: A

The Constitution organises its provisions into distinct Parts, each governing one domain of the polity; entrenching a subject constitutionally as a complete, enforceable institutional framework (rather than as a mere aspirational directive) requires inserting a dedicated Part through a constitutional amendment.

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 inserted Part IX, titled "The Panchayats", comprising Articles 243 to 243-O along with the Eleventh Schedule. This Part establishes the Gram Sabha, the three-tier Panchayati Raj structure, reservation of seats, and the State Election Commission for panchayat elections — the complete, enforceable constitutional basis for rural local self-government. Hence the provisions FOR the Panchayati Raj system, as a system, are housed in Part IX.

This is confirmed by the neighbouring Part IX-A, "The Municipalities", inserted by the 74th Amendment, 1992 for urban local bodies — a parallel structure that leaves no doubt Part IX itself is reserved for rural Panchayati Raj. Checking the other offered Parts:

  • Part VI governs the States — their Executive, Legislature, and High Courts — and has no bearing on local government.

  • Part III lays down the Fundamental Rights guaranteed to citizens, unrelated to the local-government framework.

  • Part IV contains the Directive Principles of State Policy; Article 40 there only directs the State to organise village panchayats as a non-justiciable guideline — it is Part IX, not Part IV, that turned this directive into the actual enforceable institutional system.

Explore the full course: Ctet Paper 2

Loading lesson…