Article 243D of Constitution of India – Reservation of seats

ByRajeev Menon
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Article 243D of Constitution of India deals with Reservation of seats

(1) Seats shall be reserved for—
(a) the Scheduled Castes; and
(b) the Scheduled Tribes, in every Panchayat and the number of seats so reserved shall bear, as nearly as may be, the same proportion to the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in that Panchayat as the population of the Scheduled Castes in that Panchayat area or of the Scheduled Tribes in that Panchayat area bears to the total population of that area and such seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a Panchayat.


(2) Not less than one-third of the total number of seats reserved under clause (1) shall be reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes or, as the case may be, the Scheduled Tribes.


(3) Not less than one-third (including the number of seats reserved for women belonging to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes) of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Panchayat shall be reserved for women and such seats may be allotted by rotation to different constituencies in a Panchayat.


(4) The offices of the Chairpersons in the Panchayats at the village any other level shall be reserved for the Scheduled Castes, the Scheduled Tribes and women in such manner as the Legislature of a State may, by law, provide:
Provided that the number of offices of Chairpersons reserved for the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in the Panchayats at each level in any State shall bear, as nearly as may be, the same proportion to the total number of such offices in the Panchayats at each level as the population of the Scheduled Castes in the State or of the Scheduled Tribes in the State bears to the total population of the State: Provided further that not less than one-third of the total number of offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats at each level shall be reserved for women:

Provided also that the number of offices reserved under this clause shall be allotted by rotation to different Panchayats at each level.


(5) The reservation of seats under clauses (1) and (2) and the reservation of offices of Chairpersons (other than the reservation for women) under clause (4) shall cease to have effect on the expiration of the period specified in article 334.


(6) Nothing in this Part shall prevent the Legislature of a State from making any provision for reservation of seats in any Panchayat or offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats at any level in favour of backward class of citizens.

Questions related to Article 243D of Constitution of India

What is the purpose of Article 243D in the Indian Constitution?

Article 243D aims to promote social justice and inclusivity in local governance by reserving seats and chairperson positions in Panchayats for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), and women. ​

How does Article 243D ensure representation for SCs and STs in Panchayats?

It mandates that the number of reserved seats for SCs and STs in Panchayats be proportional to their population in the area, with such seats potentially rotating among different constituencies. ​

What provisions does Article 243D make for women’s representation in Panchayats?

The article reserves at least one-third of all seats, including those for SCs and STs, for women. It also mandates that at least one-third of chairperson positions in Panchayats be reserved for women, with these reservations rotating among different Panchayats. ​

Are there any time limitations on the reservations specified in Article 243D?

Yes, the reservations for SCs, STs, and women in seats and chairperson positions are set to cease after the period specified in Article 334, which is currently 70 years from the commencement of the Constitution. ​

Can states provide additional reservations beyond those specified in Article 243D?

Yes, nothing in this part prevents state legislatures from making provisions for reservation of seats or offices in Panchayats for backward classes, as per their discretion. ​

For Further Reference:

Other Related Links:

Indian Constitution: All Articles and schedulesArticle 2 of Indian Constitution
Article 3 of Indian ConstitutionArticle 4 of Indian Constitution
Article 5 of indian ConstitutionArticle 6 of Indian Constitution
Article 7 of Indian ConstitutionArticle 8 of Indian Constitution
Article 9 of Indian ConstitutionArticle 10 of Indian Constitution
Article 11 of Indian ConstitutionCitizenship
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