In the Indian Panchayati Raj system, for how many years is a Gram Panchayat normally elected?

Introduction / Context:
This question tests your knowledge of the basic structure of local self government in rural India, specifically the Gram Panchayat. The term of office of local bodies is an important detail frequently asked in polity and Panchayati Raj related questions in various competitive examinations.

Given Data / Assumptions:
• The subject is the Gram Panchayat, which is the village level institution in the Panchayati Raj system.
• The question asks about the normal duration of its elected term in years.
• We assume that no premature dissolution or extension is involved, so the standard term mentioned in the Constitution and related laws is being referred to.

Concept / Approach:
The 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, which gave constitutional status to Panchayati Raj institutions, provides that every Panchayat shall continue for five years from the date appointed for its first meeting. This applies to Gram Panchayat at the village level as well as intermediate and district level Panchayats, unless dissolved earlier according to law. Therefore, the normal tenure of a Gram Panchayat is five years. Any shorter or longer term would be exceptional and would usually involve constitutional or legislative changes.

Step-by-Step Solution:
Step 1: Recall the provisions of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment regarding the duration of Panchayats.Step 2: Remember that it clearly specifies a five year term for all Panchayats, including Gram Panchayat, unless dissolved sooner.Step 3: Compare this with the options and identify that only option D, five years, matches the constitutional provision.Step 4: Eliminate the remaining options (two, three and four years) as incorrect, because they are inconsistent with the amendment.

Verification / Alternative check:
You can verify this by noting that general elections to Panchayats are usually held at an interval similar to elections to the Lok Sabha and State Legislative Assemblies, which also follow a five year cycle under normal conditions. This parallel pattern of five year terms for different elected bodies in India helps to confirm and remember the tenure of Gram Panchayats.

Why Other Options Are Wrong:
Option A: Two years is too short and does not correspond to any standard term mentioned for Gram Panchayats in the Constitution.Option B: Three years was never adopted as the usual term for Gram Panchayats under the 73rd Amendment.Option C: Four years is also incorrect, as the constitutional provision clearly states a five year tenure.

Common Pitfalls:
Sometimes candidates confuse the tenure of Panchayats with older practices under state laws before the 73rd Amendment, when terms could vary. Another pitfall is mixing up the five year tenure of Panchayats with the tenure of other bodies like Municipal Corporations, which also commonly have five year terms but are governed by a different constitutional part. Remembering that the 73rd and 74th Amendments both emphasise a five year cycle for local bodies is a helpful way to avoid such confusion.

Final Answer:
Correct answer: Five years