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73rd Amendment Act – 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of Indian Constitution

By BYJU'S Exam Prep

Updated on: November 14th, 2023

73rd Amendment: 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, also known as the Panchayati Raj Act, was a major constitutional reform in India aimed at strengthening the rural democratic structure of the country. It mandated the establishment of a three-tier Panchayati Raj system in all rural areas of India and provided more power and authority to the Panchayats, which are the local self-government bodies at the village level. This amendment has been instrumental in decentralizing power and decision-making from the central and state governments to the local Panchayats and has helped empower the marginalized sections of society.

The 73rd Amendment is important for the UPSC because it is a crucial topic in the Indian Polity and Governance syllabus. It covers topics related to the Constitution of India, its structure, and functioning, and the various institutions and bodies that make up the Indian democratic system. The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act is an integral part of this syllabus as it deals with the functioning of the local self-government bodies in rural India, and their role in the development of the country.

73rd Amendment of Indian Constitution

The 73rd Amendment Act was passed by the Indian Parliament in 1992, and it is also known as the Panchayati Raj Act. This amendment aimed to decentralize power and decision-making from the central and state governments to the local Panchayats, and empower them to undertake development works in their respective areas. The 73rd Amendment comes under the Indian Polity and Governance section of the UPSC Syllabus. It is a part of General Studies Paper II, which covers topics related to the Indian Constitution, governance, and polity. Candidates who are aspiring to appear for the civil services exam must have a thorough understanding of this subject.

Salient Features of 73rd Amendment Act

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act aimed to strengthen the rural democratic structure in India by providing more power and authority to the Panchayats, which are the local self-government bodies at the village level. Check some of the salient features of the 73rd Amendment Act below:

  • Three-Tier Panchayati Raj System: The 73rd Amendment mandated the establishment of a three-tier Panchayati Raj system in all rural areas of India, which includes Gram Panchayats, Panchayat Samitis, and Zila Parishads.
  • Direct Elections: The members of the Panchayats are elected through direct elections. The people of the village elect the Gram Panchayat members, while the members of the Gram Panchayats elect the members of the Panchayat Samitis and Zila Parishads.
  • Reservation of Seats: The 73rd Amendment Act provides for the reservation of seats for women and Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes in the Panchayats.
  • Powers and Functions: The Panchayats are empowered to undertake various development works in their respective areas, such as sanitation, water supply, and street lighting.
  • State Finance Commissions: The 73rd Amendment also provides for establishing State Finance Commissions to recommend the distribution of finances between the state governments and the Panchayats.

Significance of 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act

The 73rd Amendment Act was enacted in 1992 with the aim of empowering rural communities and promoting democratic decentralization. The significance of this act lies in its ability to empower rural communities and provide them with a platform to participate in the governance of their local communities. The following are some of the significant aspects of the 73rd Amendment of the Indian Constitution:

  • Decentralization of Power: The 73rd Amendment aimed to decentralize power by creating a three-tier Panchayati Raj system in all rural areas of India. The objective was to shift power from the central and state governments to the local self-government bodies at the village level.
  • Empowerment of Rural Communities: The Panchayats were given more power and authority to undertake various development works in their respective areas. The objective was to empower rural communities and enable them to take up development works that are relevant to their needs.
  • Accountability and Transparency: The Panchayats were made accountable to the people by making provisions for their regular meetings, open meetings, and public disclosure of their accounts.
  • Grassroots Planning and Development: The 73rd Amendment Act aimed to promote grassroots planning and development by making the Panchayats responsible for preparing and implementing plans for economic development and social justice.
  • Strengthening Democracy: The 73rd Amendment Act aimed to strengthen the democratic structure in India by promoting grassroots democracy and enabling people to participate in the governance of their local communities.

Short Note on 73rd Amendment Act

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act aimed to empower rural communities and promote democratic decentralization. This act provides for the creation of a three-tier Panchayati Raj system in all rural areas of India, which has decentralized power and enables grassroots planning and development. The act has also made the Panchayats accountable to the people by ensuring transparency and accountability in their functioning. Overall, the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act is a significant milestone in the history of democratic decentralization in India.

73rd Amendment Act UPSC

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act comes under the governance section of the UPSC syllabus. The Act is important as it empowers local self-governance at the grassroots level, which is a significant aspect of Indian politics and governance.

Questions related to the implementation, and significance of the Act have been asked in the exam frequently, making it an important topic for aspirants to study. A thorough understanding of the Act and its provisions can help aspirants score well in the UPSC exam.

UPSC Notes
101 Constitutional Amendment Act 102 Constitutional Amendment Act
127 Constitutional Amendment Bill 103 Constitutional Amendment Act
42nd Amendment Act 105 Constitutional Amendment Act
104 Constitutional Amendment Act 123 Constitutional Amendment Bill
44th Amendment of Indian Constitution 96th Amendment to Indian Constitution
Citizenship Amendment Act 1st Amendment of Indian Constitution
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