The elected head of a Gram Panchayat is commonly called the:

The elected head of a Gram Panchayat is commonly called the Sarpanch. In different states, the same office is also called the Pradhan, Mukhiya or President of the panchayat.

How the Sarpanch is chosen:

• In many states, the Sarpanch is directly elected by the voters of the village.
• In some states, the Sarpanch is elected indirectly by the elected members (Panchs) of the Gram Panchayat.
• The method is decided by the state's Panchayati Raj law, as allowed under Article 243C.

Functions of the Sarpanch:

• Presiding over the meetings of the Gram Panchayat and the Gram Sabha.
• Supervising development works in the village, such as roads, drains, drinking water and street lights.
• Implementing government schemes, such as those on housing, sanitation and employment.
• Maintaining records and accounts of the panchayat.
• Acting as a link between the village and the government.

Reservation of the office:

• Under Article 243D, the offices of chairpersons of panchayats at each level are reserved for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women, as decided by state law.
• Many states reserve half of the posts of Sarpanch for women.

Removal of a Sarpanch:

A Sarpanch can be removed by a no-confidence motion passed by the panchayat members, as provided in state law.

Other village-level officials:

• The Panchayat Secretary is an official who helps the panchayat with administration and records.
• The Gram Sevak works for rural development.

Other terms:

• Panch: an elected member of a Gram Panchayat.
• Up-Sarpanch: the deputy head of the Gram Panchayat.
• Gram Sabha: the body consisting of all registered voters in the village, which is the foundation of Panchayati Raj.

Problems:

In some places, "Sarpanch-pati" practices, where husbands of women Sarpanches exercise power in their name, have been criticised.

Why not the other options?

• ✗The Chowkidar is a village watchman.
• ✗The Tehsildar is a revenue officer at the tehsil level.
• ✗The Block Development Officer is a government official at the block level.