The chairperson of a Panchayat Samiti is generally elected by the:

Under Article 243C(5)(b), the chairperson of a panchayat at the intermediate level (the Panchayat Samiti) and at the district level is elected by and from among the elected members of that panchayat.

Constitutional provision:

Article 243C(5) provides:

• The chairperson of a panchayat at the village level shall be elected in the manner provided by state law (directly or indirectly).
• The chairperson of a panchayat at the intermediate or district level shall be elected by, and from amongst, the elected members thereof.
• So indirect election of the Panchayat Samiti chairperson is a constitutional requirement.

Composition of a Panchayat Samiti:

• Members directly elected from territorial constituencies within its area.
• In many states, the Sarpanches of Gram Panchayats in the area, and local MPs and MLAs, may also be members, as provided by state law.

Names of the chairperson:

Pramukh, Pradhan, Chairman or President, depending on the state.

Removal:

The chairperson can be removed by a no-confidence motion passed by the members, as provided by state law.

Reservation:

Offices of chairpersons are reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women, as provided by state law.

Functions of the Panchayat Samiti:

• Coordinating the work of the Gram Panchayats in its area.
• Implementing development programmes in agriculture, health, education, rural roads and welfare.
• Preparing development plans for its area.
• Supervising the use of funds by Gram Panchayats.

Administrative support:

A government officer serves as the executive officer of the Panchayat Samiti.

Different names of the Panchayat Samiti:

Mandal Parishad (Andhra Pradesh), Taluka Panchayat (Gujarat), Kshetra Panchayat (Uttar Pradesh), Panchayat Union (Tamil Nadu) and Anchalik Panchayat (Assam).

Why not the other options?

• ✗The Panchayat Samiti chairperson is not directly elected by voters.
• ✗The Zilla Parishad and the District Collector do not elect him.