In 2024, a Panchayat in Assam promoted women’s self-help groups for rural entrepreneurship. Which Schedule of the Indian Constitution lists social welfare as a Panchayat function?

The correct answer is Eleventh Schedule. Key Points The Eleventh Schedule of the Indian Constitution was added by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act in 1992. It contains a list of 29 functional items over which the Panchayats have jurisdiction to ensure economic development and social justice. Social welfare, including the welfare of the handicapped and mentally retarded, as well as women and child development , are specifically listed as functions of the Panchayat under this schedule. The promotion of women’s self-help groups (SHGs) and rural entrepreneurship aligns with the schedule’s mandate for poverty alleviation programs and the development of cottage industries. Additional Information Ninth Schedule: This schedule was added by the 1st Constitutional Amendment Act in 1951 . It was created to protect laws related to land reforms and the abolition of the Zamindari system from judicial review. Laws included in this schedule are generally shielded from being challenged in courts on the ground of violation of fundamental rights, although they are now subject to the basic structure doctrine. Seventh Schedule: This schedule deals with the division of powers between the Union government and the State governments. It specifies the distribution of legislative subjects into three lists: the Union List (List I), the State List (List II), and the Concurrent List (List III), as per Article 246 of the Constitution. Twelfth Schedule: This schedule was added by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act in 1992 . It defines the powers, authority, and responsibilities of Municipalities (Urban Local Bodies) . It contains 18 functional items , such as urban planning, regulation of land use, and public health, which are essential for the governance of urban areas. Panchayati Raj Institution (PRI): It is a system of local self-government in rural India. The 73rd Amendment gave constitutional status to PRIs, establishing a three-tier system consisting of the Gram Panchayat at the village level, the Panchayat Samiti at the block level, and the Zila Parishad at the district level.