ICSE · Grade 6

Ch. 1: Panchayati Raj System

Third tier of Indian democracy: village (Gram Sabha, Gram Panchayat, Nyaya Panchayat), block (Block Samiti) and district (Zila Parishad). Local self-government for participation, cooperation and village development.

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14.1 Panchayati Raj System 14.2 Gram Sabha 14.3 Block Samiti 14.4 Zila Parishad
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# Real-Life Connections ### 1. School student council Class captains and school councils are small versions of **elected bodies** — like a mini Gram Panchayat for school problems. ### 2. Village water tank / road repair When a village road is fixed or a water pump is repaired through panchayat work, that is a **compulsory function** of the Gram Panchayat in action. ### 3. Family dispute settled locally **Nyaya Panchayat** is like a neighbourhood court for small cases so people need not always go to a big city court first. ### 4. Block hospital or school inspection **Zila Parishad / Block Samiti** help maintain schools and health centres — the places you visit in real life. ### 5. Women’s reserved seats **One-third seats for women** means more women leaders in villages — democracy that includes everyone.
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Topics in this chapter

  • 14.1 Panchayati Raj System
    Third tier of democracy. Panchayat = group of five. Ancient panchs; weaker under British; revived af…
  • 14.2 Gram Sabha
    Village assembly of all adults (18+) in villages with 500+ population. Permanent body; meets twice a…
  • 14.2.1 Gram Panchayat
    Elected body of Gram Sabha. Sarpanch and panchs. SC/ST and women reservations. Compulsory and option…
  • 14.2.2 Nyaya Panchayat
    Village judiciary for petty civil/criminal cases. Cheap and speedy. Small fines only. Appeal to high…
  • 14.3 Block Samiti
    Tehsil/taluka level. Groups villages. BDO implements plans. Supervises gram panchayats. Development …
  • 14.4 Zila Parishad
    District level top tier. Headed by District Collector (IAS). Links state and block. Approves budgets…

Philosophy check

  • What is this civilization?
  • Why was it advanced?
  • How did cities work?
  • Where do we still see these ideas?
  • Exams — what will be asked?