When was the 73rd constitution amendment act passed?

The correct answer is 1992.

Key Points

• The 73rd Constitution Amendment Act was passed in 1992 and came into effect on 24 April 1993.
• This amendment provided constitutional status to the Panchayati Raj system in India.
• It added Part IX to the Constitution, titled "The Panchayats," and included the 11th Schedule, listing 29 functional items of the Panchayats.
• The amendment mandated the establishment of a three-tier structure of Panchayati Raj institutions: village, intermediate, and district levels.
• It introduced provisions for mandatory elections to Panchayati Raj institutions every five years, along with the reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women.

Additional Information

• Panchayati Raj System
  • The Panchayati Raj system is a decentralized form of governance in India, allowing local bodies to function as units of self-government.
  • It was first recommended by the Balwant Rai Mehta Committee in 1957.
  • The first Panchayati Raj system was inaugurated in Nagaur, Rajasthan, on 2 October 1959.
• 11th Schedule
  • Added to the Constitution by the 73rd Amendment, the 11th Schedule outlines 29 subjects, including agriculture, rural housing, education, and public distribution systems, under Panchayat jurisdiction.
  • It empowers Panchayats to prepare and implement plans for economic development and social justice.
• Three-Tier Structure
  • The three-tier structure consists of Gram Panchayat (village level), Panchayat Samiti (intermediate level), and Zila Parishad (district level).
  • This ensures governance at the grassroots level.
• Reservation of Seats
  • The 73rd Amendment reserves seats for Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, and women (not less than 33%) in Panchayati Raj institutions.
  • This aims to ensure inclusivity and representation in local governance.