What is the structure of local governance in India?

Local governance in India is a two-fold system: the Panchayati Raj System for rural areas and the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for urban areas. Both systems are three-tiered: Rural: Gram Panchayat (village level), Panchayat Samiti/Block Samiti (block level), and Zila Parishad (district level). Urban: Nagar Panchayat (transitional areas), Municipal Council/Municipality (smaller urban areas), and Municipal Corporation (large cities).

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Picture Courtesy: THE HINDU

Context

Q: Which constitutional amendments provided the foundation for the local governance structure?

The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts of 1992 gave constitutional recognition to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) respectively, making their establishment mandatory across states and providing them with a uniform structure, powers, and responsibilities.

The Model Youth Gram Sabha (2025) initiative was launched through a collaboration between the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, and the Aspirational Bharat Collaborative.

What is Model Youth Gram Sabhas?

Launched in October 2025, the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) is designed as “Loktantra Ki Pathshala”—a classroom for democracy.

It simulates Gram Sabha meetings within schools, giving students practical exposure to local governance.

Key Features

Experiential Learning: Students in grades 9-12 act as local officials, conducting mock meetings, debating issues, preparing budgets, and drafting development plans to gain practical civics experience.
Nationwide Implementation: Over 1,000 schools, including Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas, Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS), and State Government Schools, will participate.
Support and Capacity Building: Schools receive ₹20,000 in financial aid and teachers are trained to use a digital portal for tracking progress and sharing results.
Alignment with NEP 2020: MYGS aligns with the National Education Policy’s emphasis on experiential learning, constitutional values, and civic responsibility.

Youth (18-35 years old) representing 65% of the population under 35, their creativity, energy, and digital fluency are essential for modern rural advancement.

Youth engagement in Gram Sabhas improves efficiency, transparency, and accountability, and offers new perspectives on education, health, sanitation, and employment.

Source: THE HINDU

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PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. How can the engagement of women in local governance structures challenge patriarchal norms and contribute to inclusive development outcomes in rural India? 250 words

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Local governance in India is a two-fold system: the Panchayati Raj System for rural areas and the Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) for urban areas. Both systems are three-tiered:

Rural: Gram Panchayat (village level), Panchayat Samiti/Block Samiti (block level), and Zila Parishad (district level).
Urban: Nagar Panchayat (transitional areas), Municipal Council/Municipality (smaller urban areas), and Municipal Corporation (large cities).

The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts of 1992 gave constitutional recognition to the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) respectively, making their establishment mandatory across states and providing them with a uniform structure, powers, and responsibilities.

Lord Ripon, who served as the Governor-General of British India from 1880 to 1884, is considered the "Father of Local Self-Government in India" for his administrative reforms in this area.