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THE CONSTITUTION, MADE UNDERSTANDABLE

Article 243B
Constitution of Panchayats

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Source edition: as on 1 May 2026. Omitted and struck-down reference entries remain labelled. Open the authoritative PDF ↗

Article 243B / Part IX

Constitution of Panchayats

included in edition
THE PLAIN-LANGUAGE GUIDE

What does this mean?

Panchayats are to exist at village, intermediate and district levels, with the stated population exception for the intermediate level. Other constitutional territorial exceptions also need to be checked.

The constitutional framework for rural panchayats, elections, representation, finances and planning.

PURPOSE & CONTEXT

Why is this provision here?

Rural self-government needs a constitutional institutional framework rather than depending solely on revocable administrative arrangements.

Historical evidence

Article 243B was introduced in its present subject framework by Amendment 73 (1992), after the original Constitution. The verified sources are the official edition and the linked Amendment Act and Bill statement. Original 1946–1950 Assembly debates predate this insertion and are not presented as its direct drafting reason. The explanation of function above is editorial; the Bill statement supplies the attributed legislative reasons for the later proposal.

The explanation of purpose is an editorial reading of the provision. A drafting motive is attributed only where a linked historical source supports it.

Limits, exceptions & reading carefully

Educational summary of the linked source text. Exceptions, provisos, implementing laws and applicable judgments must be read before applying it to a real case.

Read the official constitutional text
243B. Constitution of Panchayats.—(1) There shall be constituted in every State, Panchayats at the village, intermediate and district levels in accordance with the provisions of this Part. (2) Notwithstanding anything in clause (1), Panchayats at the intermediate level may not be constituted in a State having a population not exceeding twenty lakhs.
Source-page notes · may concern neighbouring Articles

1. Original Part IX relating to "The territories in Part D of the First Schedule and other territories not specified in that Schedule" was omitted by the Constitution (Seventh Amendment) Act, 1956, s. 29 and Sch. (w.e.f. 1-11-1956) and subsequently ins. by the Constitution (Seventy-third Amendment) Act, 1992, s. 2 (w.e.f. 24-4-1993).

Extracted from the Legislative Department’s May 2026 edition. Page footnotes may refer to neighbouring provisions; check their markers in the PDF. Inclusion in this edition does not by itself establish commencement or judicial effect.