ICSE Class 6 History & Civics
Question 2 of 5
Local Self-Government — Rural — Question 3
Back to all questionsThe Panchayati Raj System is a three-tier structure of rural local self-government in India:
Gram Panchayat (Village Level)
- Lowest tier, elected by the Gram Sabha.
- Headed by the Sarpanch (Pradhan).
- Manages village issues like water, sanitation, roads, and public buildings.
- Seats reserved for SCs, STs, and women (one-third).
Panchayat Samiti / Block Samiti (Block Level)
- Middle tier governing a group of villages.
- Includes Sarpanches, an MP and an MLA representing the block chaired by an elected Chairperson. The chairperson and vice-chairperson are elected by the members of the Block Samiti.
- Oversees Gram Panchayats, manages development funds, implements welfare projects.
- The Block Development Officer is responsible for carrying out the plans of the Panchayat Samiti.
Zila Parishad (District Level)
- Top tier at the district level.
- Supervises Panchayat Samitis, approves budgets, plans district development.
- Members include MPs, MLAs, SC/ST/women representatives, and Panchayat Samiti heads.
- Led by an elected President.