Constitution of India · Part IX: The Panchayats
Article 243G: Powers, authority and responsibilities of Panchayats
In plain words
The State Legislature can by law give Panchayats the powers and authority they need to function as institutions of self-government, including responsibilities for preparing plans and implementing schemes for economic development and social justice, such as those on matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule.
A simplified explanation, prepared with AI assistance from the official text below and checked automatically against it for numbers and cross-references. The official text is the law and prevails over this summary. Not legal advice.
Official text
Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the Legislature of a State may, by law, endow the Panchayats with such powers and authority as may be necessary to enable them to function as institutions of self-government and such law may contain provisions for the devolution of powers and responsibilities upon Panchayats at the appropriate level, subject to such conditions as may be specified therein, with respect to—
(a) the preparation of plans for economic development and social justice;
(b) the implementation of schemes for economic development and social justice as may be entrusted to them including those in relation to the matters listed in the Eleventh Schedule.
Source: India Code (Legislative Department), the official text of the Constitution of India. As amended up to the Constitution (One Hundred and Sixth Amendment) Act, 2023. Text as on 10 September 2026. Words in square brackets [ ] were inserted or substituted by later amending Acts, and *** marks words omitted by an amendment. The amendment footnotes are not reproduced here. Official text on India Code.
Supreme Court judgments citing the article 243G
- State of Bihar & Ors. v. The Bihar Secondary Teachers Struggle Committee, Munger & Ors.
- Justice K. S. Puttaswamy (Retd.) v. Union of India & Ors.
- Swaraj Abhiyan (Vi) v. Union of India & Ors.
- State of U.P. & Anr. Etc. v. Anand Kumar Yadav & Ors. Etc.
- Rajbala & Others v. State of Haryana & Others
- Bhanumati Etc. Etc. v. State of Uttar Pradesh Through Its Principal Secretary and Others
- M/S Gujarat Pradesh Panchayat Parishad and Ors. v. State of Gujarat and Ors.
- U.P Gram Panchayat Adhikari Sangh and Ors. v. Daya Ram Saroj and Ors.
- Javed and Ors. v. State of Haryana and Ors.