The Constitution (Seventy-Fourth Amendment) Act, 1992

The Constitution (Seventy-Fourth Amendment) Act, aimed at strengthening India’s ‘urban local bodies’, came into effect on April 20, 1993. It inserted Part IXA into the Constitution, which follows Part IX on the Panchayati Raj institutions. Part IXA consists of Articles 243(p)-243(zg) and the Twelfth Schedule. This Act stipulates the creation of municipalities for different types of urban areas – nagar panchayats for transitional areas (rural to urban).; municipal councils for smaller areas, and municipal corporations for larger areas. It ensures democratic structures by mandating regular elections and a fixed tenure for members. The powers and responsibilities of these bodies are determined by the state legislature.