BharatNotes 73rd Constitutional Amendment
/ˈsevənti θɜːd ˌkɒnstɪˈtjuːʃənl əˈmendmənt/The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 — which added Part IX (Articles 243 to 243-O) and the Eleventh Schedule (29 subjects) to the Constitution — giving constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions, mandating three-tier structure (Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zila Parishad) in states with population above 20 lakh, reservation of 1/3 seats for women and seats for SCs/STs proportional to population, five-year terms, State Election Commissions, and State Finance Commissions.
Context & Background
Based on the recommendations of the L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986) and B.R. Mehta Committee (1957), and following two failed PRIs bills (64th Amendment, 1989). Enacted simultaneously with the 74th Amendment (urban local bodies). Came into force on 24 April 1993 — now celebrated as Panchayati Raj Day. Rajasthan (1959) and Andhra Pradesh were the first states to implement PRIs after the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee. The 29 subjects in the Eleventh Schedule are not automatically transferred — states decide what to devolve.
UPSC Exam Relevance
GS2 Polity/Governance — Prelims: enacted 1992, in force 24 April 1993; Part IX (Articles 243–243-O); Eleventh Schedule (29 subjects); 3 tiers; 1/3 women's reservation (states like Bihar, Uttarakhand have raised to 50%); SFC (Article 243-I); SEC (Article 243-K); 5-year term; states with <20 lakh population exempt from intermediate tier; Gram Sabha (Article 243A). Mains: 3 Fs (funds, functions, functionaries) — what's devolved vs what remains on paper; Kerala model (effective devolution — 40% of State Plan funds); comparison with 74th Amendment; PESA 1996 (tribal area self-governance); Gram Sabha as accountability mechanism; SFC vs Finance Commission.
