The tenure of every Panchayat shall be for five years from the date of

According to Article 243E of the Constitution of India, introduced by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, every Panchayat shall continue for a fixed tenure of five years from the date appointed for its first meeting and no longer [3]. This constitutional provision ensures a uniform duration for Panchayati Raj Institutions across the country. While a Panchayat can be dissolved earlier under state law, elections to reconstitute it must be completed before the five-year expiry or within six months of dissolution [5]. If a Panchayat is reconstituted after premature dissolution, it serves only the remainder of the original five-year term [4]. The tenure is specifically tied to the 'first meeting' rather than the date of election results or the notification of elections, providing a clear starting point for its functional life [2].

Sources

1. [1] Introduction to the Constitution of India, D. D. Basu (26th ed.). > Chapter 18: PANCHAYATS > Reservation of seats for Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes. > p. 320
2. [2] https://mahasec.maharashtra.gov.in/Upload/PDF/Constitutional%20Provisions%20IX%20-%20Panchayats%20(Rural).pdf
3. [3] https://www.mea.gov.in/Images/pdf1/Part9.pdf
4. [4] https://highcourtchd.gov.in/landmark_judgments/HC/English/cwp_7093_2002.pdf