Constitutional Amendment · In force

73th Amendment (1992)

Gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions, mandating three-tier local governance in rural India with reserved seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women.

Why it was passed

Local self-governance existed in law but was inconsistently implemented. Constitutionalising it made three-tier panchayat elections mandatory and transferred specific powers to elected village bodies.

Key changes

Added Part IX (Articles 243–243O) and the Eleventh Schedule
Mandated three-tier panchayat structure at village, intermediate, and district levels
Required reservation of not less than one-third of seats for women
Required reservation of seats for SCs and STs proportional to their population
Mandated State Finance Commissions every five years

Content is editorial draft pending fact-check against official Gazette notifications and Supreme Court judgment texts. Last reviewed: 2026-07-02.

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