Chapter 5: Panchayati Raj & Local Governance
पंचायती राज (ग्राम सभा, ग्राम पंचायत, सचिव एवं त्रिस्तरीय पंचायती राज व्यवस्था)
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- Gram Sabha: A meeting of all adult residents (aged 18 or above) living in the area covered by a Panchayat who are registered on the village electoral voter roll. The Gram Sabha acts as a watchdog preventing the Gram Panchayat from misusing public funds or favoring specific individuals.
- Gram Panchayat: The elected executive body consisting of Ward Panchs and the Sarpanch (Panchayat President). Elected for a 5-year tenure. Responsible for constructing village roads, school buildings, water sources, and collecting local taxes.
- The Panchayat Secretary: A civil government employee appointed directly by the State government (NOT an elected representative). Secretary calls meetings of Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat, and maintains official records of proceedings and accounts.
- 3-Tier Panchayati Raj Structure: 1. Gram Panchayat (Village Level); 2. Panchayat Samiti / Janpad Panchayat (Block Level); 3. Zilla Parishad (District Level).
- Trap: Is the Panchayat Secretary elected by village citizens? NO. The Secretary is **appointed by the government**.
- Trap: Who can be a member of the Gram Sabha? Correct: **Every adult aged 18 years or above registered on the village voter list**.
- Trap: What is the block-level tier of Panchayati Raj called? **Panchayat Samiti or Janpad Panchayat**.
NCERT Core Facts: Grassroots Democracy, Gram Sabha vs. Panchayat
Class 6 Civics Chapter 5 is a pillar of Indian Constitutional Governance:
1. Comparing the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat
| Dimension | Gram Sabha (ग्राम सभा) | Gram Panchayat (ग्राम पंचायत) |
|---|---|---|
| Membership | Every single adult (18+) registered to vote in the village jurisdiction. | Only elected Ward Panchs and the Sarpanch. |
| Status | Sovereign deliberative assembly and financial watchdog. | Executive governing body implementing schemes. |
| Tenure | Permanent standing assembly. | Elected for a fixed tenure of 5 years. |
2. Role of the Panchayat Secretary (पंचायत सचिव)
- Status: NOT an elected person. He/she is a salaried government civil servant.
- Statutory Duties:
- a.Issuing notices and convening the Gram Sabha and Gram Panchayat sessions.
- b.Recording minutes, resolutions, and budget allocations in official registries.
3. The 3-Tier Decentralized Pyramid
Test Your Mastery: Panchayati Raj & Local Governance
Authentic CBSE exam questions tested directly from this NCERT chapter.
Who among the following is NOT an elected member in the village Panchayati Raj system according to NCERT Civics?
एनसीईआरटी नागरिक शास्त्र के अनुसार ग्राम पंचायती राज व्यवस्था में निम्नलिखित में से कौन एक निर्वाचित सदस्य नहीं है?
What is the intermediate block-level tier of the Panchayati Raj system situated between the Gram Panchayat and the Zilla Parishad called?
ग्राम पंचायत और जिला परिषद के बीच स्थित पंचायती राज व्यवस्था का मध्यवर्ती (प्रखंड) स्तर क्या कहलाता है?
Who appoints the Secretary of the Gram Panchayat and Gram Sabha?
The State Government appoints the Secretary; he or she is not elected by the villagers.
Who is eligible to participate as a voting member of the Gram Sabha?
Any person who is 18 years or older and has their name registered in the electoral roll of that village.