Contents: 1. Local government meaning and importance. 2. Evolution of local government. 3. District administration in India. 4. Structural pattern of Panchayati Raj. 5. Gram Sabha. 6. Panchayati Raj bodies functions, meetings and procedure. 7. Panchayati Raj personnel. 8. Panchayati Raj finances. 9. State control and supervision. 10. The working of Panchayati Raj. 11. Panchayati Raj: 73rd amendment and after. 12. Role of Panchayati Raj institutions in rural development in Karnataka.