Which Constitutional Amendment Act inserted Part IX-A titled "The Municipalities" into the Constitution of India?

Introduction / Context:

The structure of local self government in India is constitutionally entrenched through two major amendments: one dealing with rural local bodies (Panchayats) and the other with urban local bodies (Municipalities). These amendments introduced new Parts and Schedules into the Constitution. The question asks specifically about the Constitutional Amendment that added Part IX-A, titled The Municipalities, thereby granting constitutional recognition to urban local government institutions across India.

Given Data / Assumptions:

• We are concerned with a Constitutional Amendment Act that added Part IX-A.
• Part IX-A is named The Municipalities and deals with urban local bodies.
• Options include the 74th, 42nd, 39th, 10th, and 73rd Constitutional Amendment Acts.
• We assume knowledge of the broad impact of these amendments.

Concept / Approach:

Part IX of the Constitution, dealing with Panchayats, was added by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act. Its sister amendment, the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act, focused on urban local bodies and added Part IX-A, The Municipalities. Other amendments like the 42nd and 39th are associated with changes in the Preamble, Directive Principles, strength of Parliament, and other areas, not specifically local bodies. Hence, by linking Part IX with the 73rd Amendment and Part IX-A with the 74th Amendment, you can easily identify the correct answer.

Step-by-Step Solution:

Verification / Alternative check:

Another verification method is to remember that both local government amendments were enacted in the early 1990s and are referred to together as the 73rd and 74th Amendments, sometimes called twin amendments. Many textbooks and examination syllabi present them as a pair: rural local bodies under the 73rd Amendment and urban local bodies under the 74th Amendment. This consistent pairing confirms that it is the 74th Amendment that inserted Part IX-A The Municipalities, not any of the other amendments listed.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:

The 42nd Constitutional Amendment Act is often called a mini Constitution due to the large number of changes it introduced, including alterations to the Preamble and expansion of Directive Principles, but it does not insert Part IX-A. The 39th Amendment dealt with issues relating to elections and immunities for certain high offices. The 10th Amendment relates to the incorporation of certain territories and does not concern local bodies. The 73rd Amendment focuses on Panchayats and added Part IX, not Part IX-A. Hence, none of these match what is asked in the question.

Common Pitfalls:

The most frequent confusion is between the 73rd and 74th Amendments. Students sometimes forget which one is for Panchayats and which for Municipalities. A useful memory aid is to think of P for Panchayats and P for the number 73 if you associate it with rural areas first, and then remember that the next number 74 covers Municipalities. Keeping this paired structure in mind helps avoid mixing up these two crucial amendments.

Final Answer:

Part IX-A The Municipalities was inserted into the Constitution of India by the 74th Constitutional Amendment Act.