Which Article of the Indian Constitution provides for the Constitution of municipalities?

Question

Which Article of the Indian Constitution provides for the Constitution of municipalities?

1. A. Article 243S
2. B. Article 243R
3. C. Article 243P
4. D. Article 243Q (Correct answer)

Correct Answer

Option D — Article 243Q

Detailed Solution & Explanation

The correct answer is Article 243Q.

Key Points

• Article 243Q provides for the constitution of Municipalities, requiring every state to establish three types:
  • a Nagar Panchayat for an area in transition from rural to urban,
  • a Municipal Council for a smaller urban area,
  • a Municipal Corporation for a larger urban area.
• The neighbouring articles cover different ground: 243P contains the definitions, 243R the composition of municipalities, and 243S the constitution of Wards Committees.

Additional Information

• Part IXA (Articles 243P to 243ZG) was inserted by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992, which gave urban local bodies constitutional status. It came into force on 1 June 1993.
• Its rural counterpart is the 73rd Amendment, which added Part IX (Articles 243 to 243O) for Panchayats — the two were passed together and are examined as a pair.
• The Twelfth Schedule lists 18 functional items for municipalities, including urban planning, water supply, public health and slum improvement; the Eleventh Schedule lists 29 for panchayats.
• Both amendments mandate elections every five years, reservation for SCs, STs and women (one-third), and a State Finance Commission and State Election Commission in each state.