To what extent, in your opinion, has the decentralisation of power in India changed the governance landscape at the grassroots?
Question source: insightsonindia.com
Write a timed answer in the appCurrent affairs to use in your answer
Ladakh notifies autonomous hill development councils for all seven districts · 4 September 2026 · Covers one part · use it in the example
Use Ladakh's seven hill councils as an example of decentralisation widening grassroots participation, and of its limits without constitutional backing.
- Hill councils now cover Leh, Kargil, Sham, Nubra, Changthang, Zanskar and Drass, bringing planning on local development, land use, health and education closer to remote areas.
- In a Union Territory without a legislature, the councils are the main elected tier above village panchayats; the Leh council has 30 members, 26 elected and 4 nominated.
- Limits: elections to the new councils await a separate notification under Section 8 of the Act, and their statutory basis means powers can be altered by ordinary law.
Also related
- 73rd Amendment
The 73rd Amendment is the constitutional basis of grassroots decentralisation whose impact the question asks you to assess.
- Balwantrai Mehta Committee
Balwantrai Mehta to Ashok Mehta to the 73rd Amendment is the standard evolution to cite.