Home The Constitution Part IX Article 243C

Art. 243C Part IX: The Panchayats

Composition of Panchayats

Exact text — Constitution of India

(1) Subject to the provisions of this Part, the Legislature of a State may, by law, make provisions with respect to the composition of Panchayats: Provided that the ratio between the population of, and the number of seats to be filled by election in, a Panchayat area at any level shall, so far as practicable, be the same throughout the State. (2) All the seats in a Panchayat shall be filled by persons chosen by direct election from territorial constituencies in the Panchayat area...

In Plain English

What this Article actually means

This Article requires Panchayat seats to be filled through direct election (not indirect selection or nomination) from territorial constituencies, and requires states to keep the population-to-seat ratio roughly consistent across different Panchayat areas within the state, ensuring fair representation regardless of which specific village or area you live in.

Why This Matters To You

How it shows up in everyday life

This is why every eligible voter in a Panchayat area gets to directly elect their own representative, rather than representatives being chosen indirectly or by some other selection method — a core democratic guarantee for local governance.

Read alongside this one

Art. 243b — Constitution of Panchayats Art. 243k — Elections to the Panchayats

Frequently Asked

Quick answers about Article 243C

Can a state decide to have Panchayat members nominated instead of elected?

No — clause (2) specifically requires direct election from territorial constituencies for all Panchayat seats; nomination isn't a permitted alternative under this Article.

← PreviousArticle 243B: Constitution of Panchayats Next →Article 243D: Reservation of Seats

The text above reproduces Article 243C of the Constitution of India as amended to date, for general educational reference. It is public-domain legislative text, but we recommend cross-checking the authoritative version at legislative.gov.in or india.gov.in before relying on it for a legal matter. The explanation, examples and FAQs are general information, not legal advice — consult a qualified advocate for guidance on your specific situation.