The Constitution (Seventy-third Amendment) Act provides for
- (a)an elaborate system of establishing municipal self-government
- (b)an elaborate system of establishing panchayats as units of self-government
- (c)establishing a Commission for Linguistic Minorities
- (d)the creation of the Jharkhand State
Correct — B, an elaborate system of establishing panchayats as units of self-government. The Constitution (Seventy-third Amendment) Act, 1992 inserted Part IX (Articles 243-243O) and the Eleventh Schedule, giving constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions and creating a uniform three-tier system of rural local self-government with regular elections, reservations and State Finance Commissions.
- (a)an elaborate system of establishing municipal self-government — That is the SEVENTY-FOURTH Amendment, 1992, which added Part IXA and the Twelfth Schedule for urban local bodies (municipalities) — a separate amendment passed alongside the 73rd.
- (c)establishing a Commission for Linguistic Minorities — The Special Officer for Linguistic Minorities is provided under Article 350B (inserted by the Seventh Amendment, 1956), not by the 73rd Amendment.
- (d)the creation of the Jharkhand State — Jharkhand was created in 2000 by the Bihar Reorganisation Act, a separate statute; it has nothing to do with the 73rd Amendment.
Before 1992 panchayats existed only through state law and were often defunct. The 73rd Amendment made rural local government a constitutional mandate: a three-tier structure (village, intermediate, district), five-year terms, mandatory elections within six months of dissolution, reservation of seats for SCs/STs and at least one-third for women, and a State Finance Commission every five years.
The trap is the near-identical 74th Amendment. Remember the pair: 73rd = panchayats (rural, Part IX, Eleventh Schedule); 74th = municipalities (urban, Part IXA, Twelfth Schedule). Options (c) and (d) are unrelated distractors.
- The 73rd Amendment (1992) added Part IX and the Eleventh Schedule (29 subjects) for Panchayati Raj.
- It came into force on 24 April 1993 — now observed as National Panchayati Raj Day.
- It mandates a three-tier system, five-year terms, and at least one-third of seats reserved for women.
- The 74th Amendment is its urban twin, covering municipalities (Part IXA, Twelfth Schedule).
The 73rd Amendment made this rural three-tier structure a constitutional requirement — hence option (b).
- Swapping the 73rd (panchayats) and 74th (municipalities) amendments.
- Linking the 73rd Amendment to state creation or minority commissions — unrelated.
Asked as 'what the 73rd/74th Amendment provides', or by matching an amendment to Part IX/IXA and the Eleventh/Twelfth Schedule.
The 73rd Constitution Amendment Act, 1992 refers to the
- (a) generation of gainful employment for the unemployed and the underemployed men and women in rural area
- (b) generation of employment for the able-bodied adults who are in need and desirous of work during the lean agricultural season
- (c) laying the foundation for strong and vibrant Panchayati Raj Institutions in the country
- (d) guarantee of right to life, liberty and security of person, equality before law and equal protection without discrimination
Answer(c) laying the foundation for strong and vibrant Panchayati Raj Institutions
Same concept — the 73rd Amendment. UPSC asks what it refers to (Panchayati Raj Institutions), which is exactly what this NDA item tests.
Which one of the following committees is NOT associated with decentralization of Panchayati Raj institutions in India?
- (a) Balwant Rai Mehta Committee
- (b) Ashok Mehta Committee
- (c) L. M. Singhvi Committee
- (d) Abhijit Sen Committee
Answer(d) Abhijit Sen Committee
Same concept — Panchayati Raj. That NDA item tests the committees behind decentralisation; this one tests the 73rd Amendment that gave the panchayats constitutional status.
- practice — not a real PYQ
The 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 relates to
- (a)panchayats
- (b)municipalities (urban local bodies)
- (c)cooperative societies
- (d)anti-defection
Answer(b) municipalities — through Part IXA and the Twelfth Schedule.
- practice — not a real PYQ
The Eleventh Schedule, added by the 73rd Amendment, lists subjects devolved to
- (a)municipalities
- (b)panchayats
- (c)the Union
- (d)the judiciary
Answer(b) panchayats — 29 subjects for rural local government.