Panchayati Raj System in Bihar (50% Women Reservation) & Indian Polity for BPSC
A targeted guide to Indian Polity & Constitution for 72nd BPSC. Bihar Panchayat Raj Act 2006 (first state with 50% women reservation), 73rd/74th Constitutional Amendments, Governor’s constitutional role, and state executive.
1. Bihar Panchayat Raj Act 2006: Pioneering 50% Women Reservation
Bihar holds the historic distinction of becoming the first state in India to implement 50% horizontal reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) through the Bihar Panchayat Raj Act, 2006.
The Act also instituted reservation for Extremely Backward Classes (EBCs) at 20% in panchayats. Questions on Bihar’s panchayat election frequency (5 years), State Election Commission, and Gram Kutchery (judicial panchayat presided by Sarpanch) are recurrent BPSC favorites.
| Panchayat Tier | Geographical Jurisdiction | Political Head | Administrative / Executive Head |
|---|---|---|---|
| Village Level | Gram Panchayat (~7,000 population) | Mukhiya (Assisted by Up-Mukhiya) | Panchayat Secretary (Panchayat Sachiv) |
| Block Level | Panchayat Samiti (~5,000 population/member) | Pramukh (Assisted by Up-Pramukh) | Block Development Officer (BDO) |
| District Level | Zila Parishad (Entire District Rural Area) | Adhyaksha (District Chairman) | Deputy Development Commissioner (DDC) |
2. Governor’s Powers & State Legislature in Bihar
Review Article 153 (Office of Governor), Article 163 (Council of Ministers aid & advise), Article 174 (Summoning, prorogation, and dissolution of Vidhan Sabha), and Article 213 (Governor’s Ordinance power).
Bihar is one of only six states with a bicameral legislature: Bihar Legislative Assembly (Vidhan Sabha - 243 seats) and Bihar Legislative Council (Vidhan Parishad - 75 seats).