Major levels or tiers of Panchayat Raj:

There are three major levels or tiers of Panchayat Raj in India, which are:

1. Gram Panchayat:
- Gram Panchayat is the basic and lowest level of the Panchayat Raj system.
- It is a local self-government institution that represents a village or a group of villages.
- The Gram Panchayat consists of elected representatives known as Panchayat members.
- The members of the Gram Panchayat are elected by the residents of the village through a direct election process.
- The key responsibilities of the Gram Panchayat include providing basic amenities like sanitation, water supply, street lights, etc., in the village.
- The Gram Panchayat also plays a crucial role in implementing various government schemes at the grassroots level.

2. Block Panchayat:
- Block Panchayat is the intermediate level of the Panchayat Raj system.
- It is formed by grouping a certain number of Gram Panchayats together.
- The Block Panchayat consists of elected representatives from each Gram Panchayat within the block.
- The members of the Block Panchayat are elected by the residents of the respective Gram Panchayats within the block.
- The Block Panchayat acts as a link between the Gram Panchayat and the District Panchayat.
- It coordinates the development activities of the Gram Panchayats within the block and facilitates the implementation of various government schemes.

3. District Panchayat:
- District Panchayat is the highest level of the Panchayat Raj system.
- It represents the entire district and is formed by grouping all the Block Panchayats within the district.
- The District Panchayat consists of elected representatives from each Block Panchayat within the district.
- The members of the District Panchayat are elected by the residents of the respective Block Panchayats within the district.
- The District Panchayat plays a crucial role in the overall development of the district by planning and implementing various development programs and policies.
- It also acts as a platform for the coordination and collaboration between different Block Panchayats within the district.

Conclusion:

The major levels or tiers of Panchayat Raj include Gram Panchayat, Block Panchayat, and District Panchayat. These tiers form a hierarchical structure of local self-government institutions in India, with the Gram Panchayat being the basic unit at the village level, the Block Panchayat at the intermediate level, and the District Panchayat at the district level. Each tier has its own set of elected representatives and is responsible for specific functions and duties related to local governance and development. Together, these tiers of Panchayat Raj form an important part of India's decentralized governance system and empower local communities in decision-making and development processes.