The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts of 1992 institutionalized local self-government in India.

• 73rd Amendment (Rural): Enforced on 24 April 1993 (National Panchayati Raj Day). Added Part IX and 11th Schedule with 29 subjects.
• 74th Amendment (Urban): Enforced on 1 June 1993. Added Part IXA and 12th Schedule with 18 subjects.
• Women Reservation: Minimum 33% (1/3rd seats) mandated nationally, extended to 50% in Madhya Pradesh.

Historical Committees on Panchayati Raj

• Balwant Rai Mehta Committee (1957): Recommended a 3-tier Panchayati Raj system. First launched in Nagaur, Rajasthan on 2 October 1959.
• Ashok Mehta Committee (1977): Advocated a 2-tier model.
• G.V.K. Rao Committee (1985): Highlighted administrative weakness ('grass without roots').
• L.M. Singhvi Committee (1986): Strongly recommended granting Constitutional Status to Panchayati Raj.
• P.K. Thungan Committee (1988): Supported 5-year tenure and constitutional protection.

Legislative Timeline

Key Articles Breakdown (243A to 243O)

• Art 243A (Gram Sabha): Primary permanent body comprising registered village voters.
• Art 243B (3-Tier System): Mandates 3-tier structure for states with population > 20 Lakhs.
• Art 243D / Art 243D(3) (Reservation): Guarantees minimum 33% reservation for women (50% in Madhya Pradesh).
• Art 243E (Tenure): Fixed 5-year tenure; elections mandatory within 6 months upon early dissolution.
• Art 243G (11th Schedule): Contains 29 functional subjects for rural development.

74th Amendment Overview (Articles 243P to 243ZG)

• 3 Urban Bodies (Art 243Q): Nagar Panchayat, Municipal Council, Municipal Corporation.
• 12th Schedule (Art 243W): Contains 18 urban functional subjects.
• Art 243-Y (State Finance Commission): Reviews municipal financial health.
• Art 243ZD (District Planning Committee): Consolidates rural and urban plans at district level.
• Art 243ZE (Metropolitan Planning Committee): Prepares development draft for metropolitan regions.

PESA Act 1996 (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas)

• Enacted on 24 December 1996 based on the Dilip Singh Bhuria Committee recommendations.
• Extended 73rd Amendment provisions to Fifth Schedule tribal areas, granting Gram Sabha customary rights over land, water, and Minor Forest Produce (MFP).

3Fs Challenges (Funds, Functions, Functionaries)

• Funds: Inadequate financial devolution by state governments.
• Functions: Incomplete transfer of 29/18 subjects.
• Functionaries: Lack of administrative staff and 'Sarpanch Pati' proxy culture.

MPPSC Mains 11-Mark Model Outline

Detail 1992 constitutional decentralization, achievements in women empowerment, 3Fs bottlenecks, and 2nd ARC reform solutions.

Frequently Asked Questions

Q1. What is the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act related to and when was it enforced?

Answer: It is related to rural Panchayati Raj and was enforced on 24 April 1993.

Q2. What are the main provisions under Articles 243A to 243O?

Answer: Gram Sabha (243A), 3-tier structure (243B), Women Reservation (243D), 29 Subjects (243G), SFC (243I), SEC (243K).

Q3. What does Article 243D(3) mandate?

Answer: Mandates a minimum of 33% reservation for women in Panchayats (50% in MP).

Key revision bullet points for MPPSC Prelims/Mains and UPSC exams:

• 73rd Amendment: Part IX, 11th Schedule (29 subjects), 24 April 1993
• 74th Amendment: Part IXA, 12th Schedule (18 subjects), 1 June 1993
• First State: Rajasthan (Nagaur
• 2 Oct 1959)
• PESA Act: 24 Dec 1996 (Bhuria Committee)