Which of the following statements about the Panchayati Raj System are correct ? 1. All seats in a Panchayat are filled by persons chosen by direct election, 2. The ‘Gram Sabha’ consists of persons registered in the village electoral rolls. 3. The Chairperson of a Panchayat is elected in accordance with a law passed by each state. 4. All states in India have a three-tier system of Panchayats. Select the correct answer using the code given below :

The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act mandates that all seats in a Panchayat at the village, intermediate, and district levels shall be filled by persons chosen by direct election [5]. The 'Gram Sabha' is defined as a body consisting of persons registered in the electoral rolls relating to a village within the Panchayat area [6]. Regarding the Chairperson, the Act specifies that the Chairperson at the village level is elected in a manner determined by the State Legislature, while at the intermediate and district levels, they are elected indirectly by and from amongst the elected members [4]. Statement 4 is incorrect because, while the Act provides for a three-tier system, states with a population not exceeding 20 lakhs have the option to not constitute Panchayats at the intermediate level [4]. Thus, statements 1, 2, and 3 are correct.

Sources

1. [5] https://mahasec.maharashtra.gov.in/Upload/PDF/Constitutional%20Provisions%20IX%20-%20Panchayats%20(Rural).pdf
2. [1] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Salient Features > p. 388
3. [4] https://hmmcollege.ac.in/uploads/dept_teaching_plan/Structure_and_Role_of_Panchayet.pdf
4. [6] https://www.mea.gov.in/Images/pdf1/Part9.pdf
5. [2] Indian Constitution at Work, Political Science Class XI (NCERT 2025 ed.) > Chapter 8: LOCAL GOVERNMENTS > Three Tier Structure > p. 183