Compulsory provisions of the act
- Constitution of Gram Sabha in a village or a group of villages
- Establishment of panchayat at village, intermediate and district
- Direct elections to all the above
- Indirect election to the post of the chairperson of the panchayats at the intermediate and district level
- 21 years to be the minimum age for contesting
- Reservation of seats for SC and STs in panchayats at all levels
- Reservation of 1/3rd seats for women in panchayats
- Fixing of tenure of 5 years and holding elections within six months in any event of supersession of any panchayat
- Establishment of state election commission
- Constitution of state finance commission after every 5 years to review the financial position of the panchayats
Voluntary provisions of the act
- Giving representation to members of the Parliament and state legislature at various levels of the panchayats
- Providing reservation of seats for backward classes
- Granting powers an authority to PRI
- Devolutions of powers and representation
- Granting financial powers to the panchayats
