Previous Year Question

A comprehensive constitutional framework for Panchayats and Municipalities was provided through the 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts respectively. Both are titled Constitution Amendment Act, 1992, but their relevant provisions came into force in 1993. Therefore, the year expected in the question is 1993.

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment inserted Part IX—“The Panchayats” into the Constitution. It contains provisions from Article 243 to Article 243-O relating to Panchayats. The amendment came into force on 24 April 1993. This is also why 24 April is observed as National Panchayati Raj Day in India.

It also inserted the Eleventh Schedule, containing 29 subjects related to Panchayats. These include agriculture, land improvement, minor irrigation, animal husbandry, rural housing, drinking water, roads, education, health and poverty alleviation.

The 74th Constitutional Amendment inserted Part IX-A—“The Municipalities”. The constitutional provisions relating to Municipalities came into force on 1 June 1993, giving constitutional status to the framework of urban local self-government.

An important examination fact is that the 73rd and 74th Amendments are called the “1992” Amendment Acts, but the new constitutional arrangements for Panchayats and Municipalities became effective in 1993. This distinction makes 1993 the correct option.

The idea of Panchayats was not completely absent from the Constitution before 1993. Article 40, a Directive Principle of State Policy, already directed the State to take steps to organise village Panchayats. However, the detailed constitutional institutional framework was provided by the 73rd Amendment.