One of the significant steps taken by India for empowering women is the enactment and implementation of the 73rd Amendment Act. Through this Act, in part VIII of the constitution, some provisions have been inserted. Art 243 D in this part states that not less than one-third of the total number of seats shall be reserved for women (including scheduled castes and scheduled tribes women) Accordingly, the Orissa Govt. passed the Orissa Gram Panchayat (Amendment) Act, 1994 and made it effective from 18th April, 1994. But prior to it, during Chief ministership of Biju Pattanaik 33.3% reservation for women in PRIs during 1992 election had already been introduced. After implementation of 73rd Amendment Act, elections have already been held for five times i.e.in 1997, 2002, 2007, 2012 and 2017. In 2012 reservation for women has been extended to 50 % and accordingly elections have been held onwards.