National Panchayati Raj Day: 33 Years of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act

📌 Summary:

• Ministry of Panchayati Raj observed National Panchayati Raj Day on 24 April 2026 marking 33 years of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act which gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs)

• The 73rd Constitutional Amendment (1992-93) inserted Part IX (Articles 243 to 243-O) into the Constitution, providing for a three-tier Panchayati Raj system — Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, Zila Parishad

• National Panchayati Raj Day is observed on 24 April every year — the date the 73rd Amendment came into force in 1993

• The event at New Delhi saw participation of elected Gram Panchayat representatives from Haryana, Uttar Pradesh and Uttarakhand

• PM Modi greeted public representatives stating "Your dedication to public service is truly inspiring"

• Key provisions of the 73rd Amendment: 11th Schedule (29 subjects for Panchayats), mandatory reservations for SC/ST and women (min. 1/3rd), State Finance Commissions, District Planning Committees, 5-year term

🎯 UPSC Relevance: GS2 — Constitution and Polity (73rd Amendment, Federalism, Local Bodies, Part IX); GS2 — Governance (Panchayati Raj, decentralisation)

📝 Prelims Facts:

• National Panchayati Raj Day: 24 April (73rd Amendment came into force)

• 73rd Amendment: Added Part IX (Articles 243 to 243-O) and 11th Schedule (29 subjects)

• Three-tier structure: Gram Panchayat → Panchayat Samiti → Zila Parishad

• Women reservation in PRIs: Minimum 1/3rd (many states have 50%)

• State Finance Commission mandatory every 5 years for PRIs

🔑 Key Term: 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 — Gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions; added Part IX to the Constitution with Articles 243–243O, mandated elections, reservations and devolution of 29 subjects to PRIs via the 11th Schedule