Q. When was the Panchayati Raj System introduced in India?

Explanation by: Manisha Agrawal

In 1954, the government of India established the Balwant Rai Mehta committee for suggesting some major reforms which suggested the organization of Panchayati Raj in rural India. It was to act both as an instrument of rural local self-government as well as an agency for community development. It recommended the creation of the three tier Panchayati Raj- Panchayats at the village level, Panchayat Samitis at the block level and Zila Parishads at the district level. The National Development council accepted the recommendations of Balwant Rai Mehta committee in 1958. The Government of India then called upon all the states to implement these recommendations. On 2nd October 1959, Rajasthan came to be the first State to establish Panchayati Raj. Thereafter, Andhra Pradesh, Punjab, West Bengal, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Orissa, Bihar, Kerala, J & K, Himachal Pradesh and in fact all states introduced Panchayati Raj in their respective areas by passing necessary laws.