Question map
Consider the following statements : 1. The minimum age prescribed for any person to be a member of Panchayat is 25 years. 2. A Panchayat reconstituted after premature dissolution continues only for the remainder period. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
Explanation
The correct answer is option B (statement 2 only).
**Statement 1 is incorrect:** A person who has attained the age of 21 years will be eligible to be a member of a Panchayat (in case of State Legislature the prescribed age is 25 years)[1]. This is further confirmed by the provision that no person shall be disqualified on the ground that he/she is less than 25 years of age if he/she has attained the age of 21 years[2]. Therefore, the minimum age for Panchayat membership is 21 years, not 25 years.
**Statement 2 is correct:** A Panchayat reconstituted after premature dissolution (i.e., before the expiry of the full period of five years) shall continue only for the remainder of the period[3]. This means a panchayat reconstituted after premature dissolution does not enjoy the full period of five years but remains in office only for the remainder of the period[4].
Since only statement 2 is correct, option B is the right answer.
Sources- [1] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 18: PANCHAYATS > Qualification for membership. > p. 320
- [2] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Salient Features > p. 390
- [3] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 18: PANCHAYATS > Reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. > p. 320
- [4] Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Salient Features > p. 389
PROVENANCE & STUDY PATTERN
Full viewThis is a non-negotiable 'Sitter'. It is a direct lift from the 73rd Amendment provisions found in every standard Polity text (Laxmikanth/Basu). If you mark this wrong, you lose the 'easy marks' buffer essential for clearing the cutoff.
This question can be broken into the following sub-statements. Tap a statement sentence to jump into its detailed analysis.
- Statement 1: What is the minimum age prescribed by Indian law to be a member of a Panchayat (Panchayati Raj institution) in India?
- Statement 2: Under Indian law, when a Panchayat is reconstituted after premature dissolution, does the reconstituted Panchayat continue only for the remainder of the original term?
- Explicitly states a person who has attained the age of 21 years will be eligible to be a member of a Panchayat.
- Direct comparison given with State Legislature age (25), highlighting 21 as the Panchayat threshold.
- States that no person shall be disqualified for being under 25 years of age if he/she has attained 21 years, implying 21 is the effective minimum for Panchayat membership.
- Appears in the chapter on Panchayati Raj salient features, reinforcing its relevance to membership qualifications.
- Explicitly states a panchayat reconstituted after premature dissolution 'does not enjoy the full period of five years but remains in office only for the remainder of the period.'
- Direct, unambiguous formulation addressing reconstitution after dissolution and the duration of the reconstituted body.
- Sets out the five-year normal term and expressly provides that a panchayat reconstituted after premature dissolution 'shall continue only for the remainder of the period.'
- Adds the operational detail that if the remainder is less than six months, elections need not be held, reinforcing the rule about continuation for the remainder.
- Corroborates the same formulation found in [1] β stating the reconstituted panchayat remains only for the remainder of the five-year period.
- Serves as an additional textbook confirmation of the rule.
- [THE VERDICT]: Sitter. Direct text from Laxmikanth (Chapter: Panchayati Raj) and D.D. Basu (Art 243F & 243E).
- [THE CONCEPTUAL TRIGGER]: The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, specifically the 'Compulsory Provisions' regarding Duration and Disqualifications.
- [THE HORIZONTAL EXPANSION]: Memorize the Age Ladder: Voting (18) -> Panchayat/Municipality (21) -> Lok Sabha/Assembly (25) -> Rajya Sabha/Council (30) -> President/VP/Governor (35). Contrast with the '6-month rule': If a Panchayat is dissolved with less than 6 months remaining, no fresh election is needed.
- [THE STRATEGIC METACOGNITION]: Do not just read the articles; create a 'Comparative Table of Tiers'. Columns: Min Age, Tenure, Dissolution Rule, Oath, Resignation. The examiner loves swapping numbers (21 vs 25) between tiers.
Directly answers the statement: multiple references state 21 years as eligibility for Panchayat membership.
High-yield for UPSC prelims/GS: age qualifications for different offices are frequently tested. Mastering this helps in questions on local government eligibility and contrasts with other offices. Learn by linking constitutional provisions (73rd Amendment / state laws) with standard polity facts.
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 18: PANCHAYATS > Qualification for membership. > p. 320
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Salient Features > p. 390
References contrast Panchayat minimum age (21) with State Legislature minimum (25), highlighting distinct qualification rules.
Useful for comparative questions in polity (local vs state offices). Helps answer trick questions and understand why different offices have different eligibility criteria. Memorise key age thresholds and the relevant articles/contexts.
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 18: PANCHAYATS > Qualification for membership. > p. 320
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Salient Features > p. 390
Evidence notes state legislatures determine disqualification authority and mentions State Election Commission's role in panchayat elections.
Important for questions on decentralisation and federal division of powersβshows how states regulate Panchayat membership/disqualifications and electoral administration. Study state vs central functions, PESA/73rd Amendment context, and State Election Commissions' powers.
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 18: PANCHAYATS > Qualification for membership. > p. 320
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Salient Features > p. 390
The statement rests on the baseline rule that Panchayats have a five-year term; several references state this explicit duration.
High-yield constitutional/local governance fact often tested directly or used in applied questions about local bodies. Connects to topics on Article 243E and state law on elections; best learned by memorizing the canonical term and exceptions and practicing fact-based MCQs and case scenarios.
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 18: PANCHAYATS > Reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. > p. 320
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Salient Features > p. 389
Directly addresses the core issue: when dissolved early and reconstituted, the body serves only the remaining period of the original term.
Frequently appears in questions on local self-government, election timing, and continuity of institutions. Understanding this principle helps answer statutory interpretation and procedural questions; revise textbook statements and relevant state law variations.
- Laxmikanth, M. Indian Polity. 7th ed., McGraw Hill. > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Salient Features > p. 389
- Indian Polity, M. Laxmikanth(7th ed.) > Chapter 39: Panchayati Raj > Salient Features > p. 389
Reference [3] adds the specific operational rule that if the remainder is under six months, elections need not be held β a practical exception to the reconstitution rule.
Important nuance for UPSC mains and prelims: exams test exceptions and conditions. Knowing this prevents incorrect absolute answers and aids in scenario-based questions about election timelines; practice applying the exception to sample fact-patterns.
- Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 18: PANCHAYATS > Reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. > p. 320
The 'Disqualification Authority' Trap: Unlike MPs/MLAs where the President/Governor decides on EC advice, for Panchayats, the disqualification dispute is decided by an authority prescribed by the 'State Legislature' (Art 243F), NOT necessarily the State Election Commission.
Logic for Statement 1: The Panchayat is the 'grassroots' level. The barrier to entry (age) should logically be the lowest to encourage mass participation. Since MPs require 25, the local level must be lower or equal. 21 is the standard lower threshold in Indian law.
Mains GS-2 (Devolution of Powers): The 'remainder term' rule (Statement 2) is crucial for administrative stability. It ensures that by-elections don't de-synchronize the 5-year cycle of the entire state's local bodies, preventing a scenario where every village has elections in different years.