The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts of 1992 represent a watershed moment in India's democratic journey, fundamentally altering the country's federal structure from a two-tier system to a robust three-tier framework. By granting constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), these amendments sought to institutionalize grassroots democracy and promote decentralized planning. This research paper evaluates the historical necessity, structural provisions, and subsequent impact of these amendments on local self-governance. Through a detailed analysis of secondary data, the study explores how mandatory reservations for women, Scheduled Castes, and Scheduled Tribes have fostered political inclusivity. However, it also highlights persistent challenges, including fiscal dependency on state governments, bureaucratic interference, and the uneven devolution of powers. The paper concludes that while the legal framework for empowerment exists, real transformation depends on enhancing the functional and financial autonomy of local bodies to achieve true
Dr. Nagendrappa K.T. (Wed,) studied this question.
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