Local Governments 11 Political Science Chapter 8 CBSE Notes 2025-26

In a democracy like India, it is not enough to have elected governments only at the central and state levels. Elected local governments at the village and urban areas are necessary to make democracy truly participatory and address people’s daily concerns.

Local government institutions ensure that decisions affecting ordinary citizens are made as close to them as possible, making governance more responsive and accountable. People are more familiar and involved with their local governments, making it easier to solve local issues quickly and cost-effectively.

Local governments empower communities to participate in decision-making about their lives and their development. Through bodies like Gram Panchayats, local people can identify their needs, plan development, and monitor implementation. When power is shared at the grassroots, democracy becomes more meaningful and inclusive.

Stories such as Geeta Rathore’s, who brought many improvements to her village as a Sarpanch, and the Vengaivasal Gram Panchayat in Tamil Nadu, which defended its land rights, show the strength of motivated local representatives. These examples highlight the local government’s ability to protect the interests of their people and uphold the spirit of the Constitution.

Village self-government in India has deep historical roots, with the concept of ‘sabhas’ and later Panchayats resolving issues at the local level. In modern history, elected local bodies were introduced in 1882, and their importance was emphasized during the freedom struggle, especially by leaders like Mahatma Gandhi.

After Independence, the Constitution assigned local government as a State subject and mentioned it in the Directive Principles. However, concerns about unity and the social realities of rural India meant local governments did not receive enough attention initially. The desire for decentralized, participatory governance led to reforms starting in the 1950s, but for several decades, many states delayed elections, limited powers, or dissolved elected local bodies.

The real expansion of local governments happened after the 73rd and 74th Amendments in 1992-93. The 73rd Amendment applies to rural local bodies or Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs), while the 74th Amendment is focused on urban local bodies (municipalities or Nagarpalikas). These amendments created uniform structures and processes across the country.

• Panchayati Raj now is a three-tier system: Gram Panchayat (village), Mandal or Block Panchayat (intermediate), and Zilla Panchayat (district).
• Direct elections are held for all levels. The term is five years, and elections must be held within six months if a body is dissolved early.
• There are mandatory reservations: one-third of all seats (including chairperson posts) are reserved for women, and a proportional number for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs). States can also reserve seats for Other Backward Classes (OBCs).
• Twenty-nine subjects related to local development and welfare are listed in the Eleventh Schedule to be transferred to PRIs, with actual transfer depending on State legislation.
• Gram Sabha – comprising all adult voters in the area – holds an important role in overseeing the panchayat, especially in Adivasi regions.
• Each state as per the amendments must establish a State Election Commission (independent from the national Election Commission) to conduct local elections, and a State Finance Commission (every five years) to review resource distribution and finances for local bodies.

The 74th Amendment brought similar reform to urban areas, covering municipalities. Urban areas, as defined by Census, have a population over 5,000 and other specified criteria. The amendment requires direct elections, reservation, transfer of functional subjects (listed in the Twelfth Schedule), and periodic reviews of financial and administrative arrangements, just as in Panchayati Raj.

After these amendments, all states passed laws to implement the new structures. By 2004, most states had conducted at least two rounds of local elections, with millions of members elected to thousands of rural and urban local bodies. The presence of women has increased dramatically, with lakhs of women elected as members and leaders at all levels.

These changes have made local bodies far more socially representative, with significant participation by women, SCs, STs, and OBCs. Although local governments provide a platform for participation and help make democracy stronger, there are still challenges. Many states have not transferred all the subjects and powers to local bodies, and financial dependence continues to limit their effectiveness.

Despite increased representation, local bodies often act as agencies for implementing schemes decided by state or central governments, rather than making independent decisions. Their own financial resources are limited; for example, rural local bodies raise only 0.24% of government revenues but account for 4% of public expenditure.

The transfer of actual power and finances to local bodies has been incomplete in many states, making decentralization more “on paper” than in practice. Strong and meaningful local governments require that central and state authorities are willing to share real authority and resources.

The 73rd and 74th amendments are landmark steps in Indian democracy, making local governments more inclusive, participatory, and accountable. The true test, however, is whether these institutions get enough independent power and resources to address local needs. As more people participate in governance at the grassroots, democracy and development become more closely connected to the lives of ordinary citizens.

Class 11 Political Science Chapter 8 Notes – Indian Constitution at Work: Local Governments

These revision notes for Class 11 Political Science Chapter 8, Local Governments cover key points, concepts, and facts from the NCERT book. Understanding the provisions of the 73rd and 74th Amendments and the functions of Panchayats and Municipalities is essential for exam preparation.

Use these concise notes to revise topics like the three-tier Panchayati Raj structure, reservation policies, and challenges in decentralization. With simple explanations and organized data, these notes help you quickly review all important points before exams or class discussions.