ETN NEWS – TNPSC GROUP IV | DAY 28
09 November 2026 | 01:00 PM Category: TNPSC Grp IV Topic: உள்ளாட்சி அமைப்புகள் / Local Self-Government
Local self-government refers to institutions that manage local needs through elected representatives.
Historical milestones
1882 – Lord Ripon's resolution on local self-government.
1957 – The Balwantrai Mehta Committee recommended a three-tier Panchayati Raj system.
1959 – Panchayati Raj was inaugurated at Nagaur in Rajasthan.
1992 – The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts were passed.
73rd Constitutional Amendment
It provided constitutional recognition to rural local bodies.
Effective date: 24 April 1993.
Constitutional Part: IX.
Articles: 243 to 243-O.
Eleventh Schedule: 29 subjects.
Three-tier structure
1. Village Panchayat. 2. Panchayat Union or Block Panchayat. 3. District Panchayat.
Gram Sabha – Article 243A
The Gram Sabha consists of people registered in the electoral rolls relating to the village area.
It promotes direct public participation in local governance.
Important Articles
243D – Reservation in Panchayats.
243E – Five-year duration.
243G – Powers of Panchayats.
243I – State Finance Commission.
243K – Panchayat elections.
The State Finance Commission is constituted every five years.
The State Election Commission conducts local-body elections.
The Constitution requires at least one-third reservation for women. Tamil Nadu provides 50% reservation in local bodies.
74th Constitutional Amendment
It provided constitutional recognition to urban local bodies.
Effective date: 1 June 1993.
Constitutional Part: IX-A.
Articles: 243P to 243ZG.
Twelfth Schedule: 18 subjects.
Urban local bodies
1. Town Panchayat. 2. Municipality. 3. Municipal Corporation.
Important Articles
243Q – Constitution of Municipalities.
243T – Reservation in Municipalities.
243U – Five-year duration.
243W – Powers of Municipalities.
243Y – Municipal financial review.
243ZA – Municipal elections.
Tamil Nadu Focus
Tamil Nadu Panchayats Act – 1994.
Tamil Nadu Urban Local Bodies Act – 1998.
Rural local bodies: Village Panchayats, Panchayat Unions and District Panchayats.
Urban local bodies: Town Panchayats, Municipalities and Municipal Corporations.
Exam Memory Shortcut
73 – Rural – 11th Schedule – 29 subjects.
74 – Urban – 12th Schedule – 18 subjects.
