Article 40 of the Constitution of India advises the State to work for ______ 

The correct answer is Organisation of Village Panchayats.

Key Points

• Article 40 of the Indian Constitution is a Directive Principle of State Policy (DPSP) that directs the State to take steps to organize village panchayats.
• It emphasizes establishing village-level self-government institutions to promote democratic decentralization.
• The aim is to empower villages to function as units of self-governance, ensuring grassroots-level development and participation in decision-making.
• The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992) operationalized this directive by giving constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
• The Panchayati Raj system consists of a three-tier structure: Gram Panchayat at the village level, Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and Zila Parishad at the district level.

Additional Information

• Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP):
  • DPSPs are enshrined in Part IV of the Indian Constitution and are non-justiciable in nature, meaning they cannot be enforced by courts.
  • They act as guidelines for the State to establish a framework for a just and equitable society.
  • These principles are borrowed from the Irish Constitution and aim to promote social and economic democracy.
• 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act (1992):
  • This act introduced a three-tier Panchayati Raj system and gave it constitutional recognition.
  • It added Part IX to the Constitution, titled "The Panchayats," and included Articles 243 to 243O.
  • It also introduced the 11th Schedule, which lists 29 functional items for Panchayats, such as agriculture, rural development, and education.
• Gram Sabha:
  • The Gram Sabha is the cornerstone of the Panchayati Raj system and consists of all registered voters in a village.
  • It functions as a deliberative body, discussing and approving various plans, policies, and budgets for village development.
• Significance of Panchayati Raj:
  • Ensures participatory democracy and grassroots governance.
  • Promotes rural development by addressing local issues and utilizing local resources effectively.
  • Empowers marginalized sections of society, including women, through reservation in elections.