📜 Article 243 of the Indian Constitution
Title: Definitions related to Panchayats (Part IX)
Introduced by: 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992
Came into effect: 24 April 1993
🔹 Text Summary:
Article 243 provides definitions for terms used in Part IX of the Constitution, which deals with Panchayats (i.e., rural local self-governments).
🧠 Key Definitions in Article 243:
| 🧾 Term | 📘 Meaning under Article 243 |
|---|---|
| District | A district in a State. |
| Gram Sabha | A body consisting of persons registered in the electoral rolls of a village within the area of a Panchayat. |
| Panchayat | An institution of self-government in a village or group of villages, constituted under Article 243B. |
| Panchayat Area | A territorial area notified by the State Government where a Panchayat is constituted. |
| Population | Refers to population as per the latest census, of which relevant data is published. |
| Intermediate Level | A level between village and district (like block or taluk), applicable in states with population > 20 lakhs. |
| State Election Commission | A constitutional body for conducting Panchayat elections, constituted under Article 243K. |
🧭 Why is Article 243 Important?
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It lays the foundational terms used in the entire Panchayati Raj framework.
-
Helps in uniform understanding of rural governance across all states.
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Forms the base of Part IX (Articles 243 to 243-O) on Panchayati Raj Institutions.
📌 Related Provisions:
| Article | Subject |
|---|---|
| 243 | Definitions related to Panchayats |
| 243A | Powers of Gram Sabha |
| 243B | Constitution of Panchayats |
| 243K | State Election Commission |
| 243G | Powers, authority, and responsibilities of Panchayats |
🧠 In Simple Words:
Article 243 gives us the meaning of key terms like Gram Sabha, Panchayat, Panchayat Area, etc., which are used in setting up local self-governance in villages.
Here is a 📊 Complete Summary Chart of Articles 243 to 243-O of the Indian Constitution – covering the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which established the Panchayati Raj System in India.
🏛️ Panchayati Raj Articles (243 to 243-O) – Summary Chart
| 🔢 Article | 📘 Subject | 📌 Key Points |
|---|---|---|
| 243 | Definitions | Terms like Panchayat, Gram Sabha, District, etc. |
| 243A | Gram Sabha | States may empower Gram Sabhas to perform functions at village level. |
| 243B | Constitution of Panchayats | Mandatory 3-tier Panchayati Raj (village, intermediate, district levels). |
| 243C | Composition of Panchayats | Membership, seats to be filled by direct election. |
| 243D | Reservation of Seats | For SCs, STs & minimum 1/3rd for women (including women from SC/ST). |
| 243E | Duration of Panchayats | 5 years tenure; election must be held before expiry or within 6 months if dissolved early. |
| 243F | Disqualifications for Membership | Based on laws made by State Legislature. |
| 243G | Powers, Authority & Responsibilities of Panchayats | States may devolve powers related to 29 subjects (Eleventh Schedule). |
| 243H | Panchayat Finance – Power to Impose Taxes | State may authorize Panchayats to levy, collect & appropriate taxes, duties, tolls, fees. |
| 243I | State Finance Commission (SFC) | To review financial position of Panchayats every 5 years. |
| 243J | Audit of Panchayat Accounts | As per state law. |
| 243K | Elections to Panchayats | Superintendence lies with State Election Commission (SEC). |
| 243L | Application to Union Territories | Provisions apply to UTs with modifications. |
| 243M | Exceptions | Does not apply to: |
| – J&K (before Article 370 removal) | ||
| – Schedule VI areas (tribal areas in Assam, Meghalaya, etc.) | ||
| – Schedule V areas (can be extended by Parliament) | ||
| 243N | Continuance of existing laws | Existing state laws for Panchayats remain until amended or repealed. |
| 243O | Bar on interference by courts | No court can question Panchayat elections except by election petition under state law. |
🧠 Key Highlights of 73rd Amendment:
✅ 3-tier system:
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Gram Panchayat (village)
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Panchayat Samiti (intermediate/block level)
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Zila Parishad (district level)
✅ Reservations for Women, SCs, STs
✅ State Finance Commission
✅ Fixed tenure of 5 years
✅ State Election Commission
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