Panchayati Raj in Uttarakhand: Act 2016 and 2019 Amendment

Part of: Uttarakhand Polity Notes · See also: Uttarakhand GK

Constitutional base of Panchayati Raj

Local self-government in India has a long history. For example, Mayo began financial decentralisation in 1870. Similarly, Ripon’s 1882 resolution backed local self-government. Later, Panchayati Raj began at Nagaur in Rajasthan on 2 October 1959.

The 73rd Amendment of 1992 then gave panchayats constitutional status. Thus, it added Part IX (Articles 243 to 243-O) and the Eleventh Schedule with 29 subjects. Also, it came into force on 24 April 1993, now marked as National Panchayati Raj Day.

However, local government is a State List subject. Therefore, each State makes its own panchayat law within this frame. In addition, the State must hold elections within six months of a dissolution.

Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj Act 2016: main features

Uttarakhand first ran its panchayats under laws inherited from UP. Then the Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj Act 2016 (Act No. 11 of 2016) replaced those laws. As a result, the State now has its own three-tier system.

Besides, the Act reserves at least half of the seats for women. Similarly, at least half of the Pradhan posts go to women.

Women’s reservation: 33% to 50% in 2008

Women’s reservation in panchayats was 33% at first. However, it rose to 50% in 2008, under CM B. C. Khanduri. Moreover, the amendment to the panchayat law passed on 12 March 2008.

Thus, the 50% rule existed before the 2016 Act. The Act simply carried it forward. For other State quotas, however, see reservation in Uttarakhand.

The 2019 amendment

Later, the State amended the Act in 2019 (Act No. 10 of 2019). The Bill passed on 26 June 2019. Moreover, it added three sets of rules for candidates.

1. Two-child norm: a person with more than two living children cannot contest.
2. Education: Gram Panchayat candidates need High School (Class 10). However, women (General and OBC) and SC/ST candidates need Class 8. Further, SC/ST women need Class 5.
3. One post only: no person can hold two panchayat posts at once.

Gram Panchayat and Gram Sabha

A Gram Panchayat covers about 500 people in the hills and 1,000 in the plains. Meanwhile, the Gram Sabha includes all adult voters of the village. The Pradhan heads it, and the term is five years. However, the population norm applies only as far as practicable.

Also, the Gram Sabha meets at least twice a year, with a quorum of one-fifth. Section 4 of the Act fixes the number of members besides the Pradhan.

In addition, each Gram Panchayat works through six committees. These are Nidhi, Swasthya, Nirman, Pey Jal, Prashasanik and Shiksha.

Kshetra Panchayat (block level)

Next, the Kshetra Panchayat works at the block level. Its heads are the Pramukh and the Up-Pramukh, while the BDO is the executive officer. Also, it has 20 to 40 elected members and a quorum of one-third.

Uttarakhand has 95 blocks. Pauri leads with 15, while Bageshwar and Rudraprayag have three each. Also, the full district-wise count is in the Uttarakhand districts list.

Zila Panchayat (district level)

Finally, voters directly elect the members of the Zila Panchayat. The members then elect the Adhyaksha and the Upadhyaksha. Meanwhile, the CDO acts as secretary.

Moreover, the Zila Panchayat meets at least once in three months, with a quorum of one-third. In addition, MPs and MLAs sit as ex-officio members. However, they cannot vote on a no-confidence motion.

Similarly, it has six committees. These are Niyojan evam Vikas, Swasthya evam Swachhata, Nirman Karya, Pey Jal, Prashasanik and Shiksha.

Panchayat elections of July 2025

Meanwhile, the State Election Commission ran the 2025 polls in 12 districts. Haridwar, however, follows a separate cycle; it last voted in 2022. Polling took place on 24 and 28 July 2025, and counting on 31 July 2025.

Both the Election Commission and the State Finance Commission appear in constitutional and statutory bodies of Uttarakhand. Also, urban bodies follow a separate law, explained in urban local bodies of Uttarakhand.

Exam corner: common traps

• Act year: the Uttarakhand Panchayati Raj Act is of 2016; the 2019 change is only an amendment.
• 50% for women came in 2008 under B. C. Khanduri, not with the 2016 Act.
• Haridwar was not part of the July 2025 polls; it follows its own cycle.
• Quorum differs: one-fifth for the Gram Sabha, but one-third for Kshetra and Zila Panchayats.
• MPs and MLAs sit in the Zila Panchayat but cannot vote on no-confidence.

In the news

• Panchayat Advancement Index gold at the National e-Governance Awards 2026 — a national e-governance gold for the Centre’s index that rates Gram Panchayats.
• Erosion of Uttarakhand’s Van Panchayats — why the State’s village forest councils are under strain.
• Lakhpati Didi: 3 lakh women in Uttarakhand — a self-help group scheme for women earning at least ₹1 lakh a year.

Practise Uttarakhand Polity

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• UKPSC 2026 Prelims Test Series — full-length tests with detailed solutions.

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Frequently Asked Questions

Facts as on 29 October 2026. Sources: Lok Bhavan (Raj Bhavan) Uttarakhand, High Court of Uttarakhand, Uttarakhand Vidhan Sabha, Election Commission of India, State departments, India Code and PIB.