SSC
Under Article 243B, panchayats need not be constituted at which level in a state whose population does not exceed twenty lakh?
Answer (Detailed Solution Below)View answer ▾Hide ▴
Answer: Option D — Intermediate level
Detailed Solution
Article 243B provides for a three-tier system of panchayats in every state. However, panchayats at the intermediate level need not be constituted in a state having a population not exceeding twenty lakh.
Why the exception exists:
- In small states, a three-tier system may be unnecessary and costly.
- Two tiers are enough to provide local self-government in such states.
- This gives flexibility to small states, especially in the North-East and in Goa.
The three-tier structure:
- Article 243B provides for panchayats at three levels: the lowest, the intermediate and the highest.
- The intermediate tier is the one that may be skipped in small states.
- In practice, the names and sizes of the units vary from state to state.
Constitutional basis:
- Article 243B was added by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions.
- It came into force on 24 April 1993.
Uniformity brought by the 73rd Amendment:
- Before 1993, states had different structures of Panchayati Raj, with one, two, three or even four tiers.
- The Amendment brought a uniform structure, except for the flexibility allowed in small states.
Compulsory provisions of the 73rd Amendment:
- Organisation of Gram Sabhas.
- Creation of the three-tier system, with the exception for small states.
- Direct elections to all seats at all levels.
- Reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women.
- Fixed term of office and timely elections.
- Constitution of State Finance Commissions and State Election Commissions.
Voluntary provisions:
- Giving representation to members of Parliament and state legislatures in panchayats.
- Reservation for backward classes.
- Devolution of powers and functions on the 29 subjects in the Eleventh Schedule.
Examples:
Goa, Sikkim and some North-Eastern states have adopted a two-tier structure.
Why not the other options?
- ✗The lowest and the highest tiers must be constituted in all states covered by Part IX.
- ✗Ward-level bodies are part of urban local government, not Panchayati Raj.
Quick tip
Remember: Article 243B = three-tier panchayats; intermediate tier optional in states with population up to 20 lakh.
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Panchayati Raj & Municipalities — Preparation
This question tests your understanding of Panchayati Raj & Municipalities, a key topic in the General Knowledge section. The detailed solution above uses a step-by-step approach to show the reasoning, and where available, a shortcut that helps you solve similar questions in under 90 seconds during the actual exam.
This topic covers local self-government in India: the Balwant Rai Mehta and Ashok Mehta committees, the 73rd Amendment on panchayats (Part IX and the Eleventh Schedule), the 74th Amendment on municipalities (Part IX-A and the Twelfth Schedule), and state election commissions and finance commissions. Questions commonly ask which state first adopted Panchayati Raj (Rajasthan, at Nagaur in 1959), which committee recommended the three-tier system, and what the 73rd and 74th Amendments provide, such as reservation for women of not less than one-third of seats. The Eleventh Schedule lists 29 subjects and the Twelfth lists 18. Practise the Panchayati Raj and municipalities questions below, written in the style of the general awareness sections of exams such as SSC, banking, railways, CUET GAT, MAH CET and CLAT. Each question comes with a detailed explanation that adds related facts, so every question helps you revise more than one point.