What is Article 40 of Indian constitution| Article 40 of the Indian Constitution is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). It directs the State (government) to organize Village Panchayats and give them the power to govern themselves.

 

What is Article 40 of Indian constitution

Article 40 of the Indian Constitution is part of the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP). It directs the State (government) to organize Village Panchayats and give them the power to govern themselves.

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📜 Text of Article 40 (Simplified)

“The State shall take steps to organize village panchayats and endow them with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as units of self-government.”

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✅ Meaning of Article 40

• The Constitution encourages the establishment of Panchayati Raj — a system of local self-government in villages.

• Panchayats should have the power and authority to:

  • Take decisions for local development

  • Solve disputes

  • Maintain cleanliness, water, roads, etc.

  • Plan and implement village welfare schemes

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🏡 What is a Panchayat?

A Panchayat is a council of elected people at the village level which handles local administration.

There are three levels of Panchayati Raj:

1. Gram Panchayat – at the village level

2. Panchayat Samiti – at the block level

3. Zila Parishad – at the district level

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🛠️ Implementation of Article 40

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj and added:

• Part IX (Articles 243–243O)

• Eleventh Schedule (with 29 subjects for Panchayats)

Now Panchayats are legally empowered, and elections are held every 5 years.

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📌 Summary of Article 40

Feature	Description
Type of law	Directive Principle (not enforceable by courts)
Focus	Rural self-governance through Panchayats
Aim	Empower people at the grassroots to take part in democracy
Key law for it	73rd Amendment Act, 1992

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