Grassroots Democracy Part 2: Local Government in Rural Areas Class 6 Soial science Chapter 11 CBSE Notes 2025-26

India is a large and diverse nation, with more than 600,000 villages and the majority of its population living in rural areas. It is impossible for such a vast population to rely solely on higher levels of government to solve every small or local issue. That is why local governance is important, especially through Panchayati Raj institutions, which bring democracy closer to every household in rural areas.

Panchayati Raj System India’s rural local government is structured as a three-tier system. The three levels are: the Gram Panchayat (village level), the Panchayat Samiti (block level), and the Zila Parishad (district level). Each institution has specific responsibilities, making sure development and governance reach the grassroots. All adults in a village, called the Gram Sabha, participate directly or through elected representatives, ensuring both direct and indirect democracy in action.

Gram Panchayat The Gram Panchayat is the first and closest level of government for people living in rural areas. Its members are directly elected by the Gram Sabha, which consists of all eligible adult voters of one or more villages. These members elect a head called the Sarpanch or Pradhan. Women’s participation has increased, leading to many female Sarpanchs in recent years. The Gram Sabha meets to discuss and resolve matters like road repair, school management, water supply, and disputes.

Noteworthy examples of Sarpanchs

• Dnyaneshwar Kamble, a transgender Sarpanch from Tarangfal, Maharashtra, was elected based on the slogan "lok seva, gram seva" (service to the village is service to the public).
• Vandana Bahadur Maida, from the Bhil community in Madhya Pradesh, became her village’s first woman Sarpanch, increased women’s participation and focused on education and sanitation.
• Hiware Bazar’s Popatrao Baguji Pawar introduced water conservation and tree planting, transforming the drought-prone village into a prosperous area. He was awarded the Padma Shri in 2020.

How the Gram Panchayat operates The Gram Panchayat is supported by a Panchayat Secretary, who arranges meetings and maintains records. In many areas, a Patwari (village officer) helps with land records and sometimes even keeps old maps, which are useful for understanding changes in land over generations.

Ensuring Inclusiveness in Governance The Panchayati Raj system has special features so that people from disadvantaged and marginalized sections get a voice. There is reservation of one-third of the seats for women at all three levels, and rules so that Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other backward classes have representation. This makes the system more democratic and representative of India’s diversity.

Panchayat Samiti (Block level) This level is above the village and includes several Gram Panchayats within a block. Members are elected locally, and the Panchayat Samiti acts as a link between villages and the district. It collects and consolidates development plans submitted by the Gram Panchayats and arranges for funds from the Zila Parishad and state departments. Major government schemes like Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana are implemented at this level.

Zila Parishad (District level) At the top is the Zila Parishad, which oversees development and coordination across all blocks in the district. Its members are also elected representatives, along with MLAs and Sarpanchs from the district. The Zila Parishad supervises large development projects, distribution of funds, and implementation of new schemes across the district, ensuring that every village benefits equally.

Functions and Responsibilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions

• Agricultural development: constructing roads, maintaining water resources, supporting farmers.
• Education: managing local schools, arranging compound walls and kitchen sheds to keep students safe and healthy.
• Health and sanitation: promoting safe drinking water, building toilets, running health camps.
• Welfare schemes: ensuring that benefits from state and central government programs reach the needy, including food, pensions, and employment schemes.
• Cultural activities and social justice: resolving disputes, protecting rights, organizing local festivals and games.

Child-Friendly Panchayats Some Panchayats focus on listening to children’s opinions, organizing Bal Sabhas and Bal Panchayats where children can talk about their needs—such as safety, hygiene, and schooling.

For example, in Maharashtra, Bal Panchayats have helped stop child marriage and child labour, and have brought dropouts back to school. In Sikkim, the Sangkhu Radhu Khandu Gram Panchayat built school compound walls and kitchens to ensure safety and hygiene, earning awards for its child-friendly approach.

Historic Roots of Local Self-government The idea of divided administration is not new. Even in ancient India, Kautilya described in the Arthaśhāstra a multi-tiered local administration: sub-district, district, provincial headquarters—remarkably similar to today’s Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad.

Key Points Before Moving Ahead

• Rural local government operates through a three-tier system: Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti, and Zila Parishad.
• Democracy works via both direct participation (Gram Sabha) and elected representatives (Panchayats at all levels).
• Special provisions for women and marginalized groups have been made to ensure inclusivity.
• Panchayati Raj aims for self-governance, so villagers can collectively solve problems and plan sustainable development.

Quick Practice Activities

1. Recall and list the three tiers of the Panchayati Raj system and explain their key functions.
2. Draft a letter to your village Sarpanch about plastic waste on the main road.
3. Discuss what qualities make an ideal Gram Panchayat member—honesty, helpfulness, fairness, and leadership.
4. If your school is near a busy road, what can the Panchayat do to make student crossings safer? Discuss steps and which level of Panchayat should be approached.

By understanding how grassroots democracy functions in rural areas, students can appreciate the importance of local self-government. Participation, inclusion, and sustainable growth lie at the heart of the Panchayati Raj—the backbone of rural development in India.

Class 6 Social Science Chapter 11 Notes – Grassroots Democracy – Panchayati Raj Revision

These Class 6 Social Science notes for Chapter 11 cover the key features of the Panchayati Raj system and grassroots democracy. With a focus on rural local government, these revision notes help students quickly understand the three-tier structure, roles of Gram Panchayat, Panchayat Samiti and Zila Parishad. Use these concise points for last-minute revision and concept clarity.

Get a clear overview of important examples like exemplary Sarpanchs, child-friendly initiatives, and the role of women in local governance. Designed to match NCERT Books content, these notes will make remembering details much simpler. Thoroughly revised content supports better preparation for CBSE exams.