Correct Option
The correct option is One-third of seats in panchayats and municipalities are reserved for women.
Explanation
The 73rd and 74th Constitutional Amendment Acts of 1992 granted constitutional status to Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) and Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), respectively. A core feature of these amendments is the mandatory reservation of seats to ensure the political empowerment of women at the grassroots level.
- One-third of seats in panchayats and munici Article 243D (for Panchayats) and Article 243T (for Municipalities) explicitly mandate that not less than one-third of the total number of seats to be filled by direct election shall be reserved for women. This includes a sub-quota for women belonging to Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
- There is no constitutional mandate for reservation, but states have voluntarily adopted it. is Incorrect: The reservation is a constitutional compulsion, not a voluntary measure. While states are free to increase the reservation percentage (many states have raised it to 50%), they cannot reduce it below the constitutional minimum of one-third.
- Women's representation in local bodies is lower than in the Lok Sabha. is Incorrect: Women's representation in local government bodies is significantly higher than in the Parliament. While local bodies have a mandatory minimum of 33% women representatives (with actual numbers often higher), representation in the Lok Sabha has historically remained much lower (typically between 10% and 15%).
- Reservation is applicable only to the post of Sarpanch, not regular members. is Incorrect: The constitutional mandate for reservation applies to both the seats of members and the offices of Chairpersons (such as Sarpanch or Mayor) at all levels of Panchayats and Municipalities.
Key Takeaway: The Constitution mandates a minimum of one-third reservation for women in both membership seats and chairperson positions across all levels of Panchayats and Municipalities.