There are 29 District Panchayats in the State.

13.1. Functions

The functions of the District Panchayats are mainly advisory in nature such as:
a) Preparation of development plan for the district.
b) Compilation of administration reports of Village Panchayats and Panchayat Union Councils of the district and preparation of Annual Report for the District.
c) Planning and review of Agriculture, Land Development, Animal Husbandry, Dairy, Poultry, Fisheries and Rural Industries etc.
d) Planning and review of rural housing programmes particularly housing for SC/STs.
e) Identification of major water supply schemes.

13.2. Resources

The District Panchayat has no taxation powers. Its only source of revenue is from statutory grants like State Finance Commission Grant and development grants under Centrally sponsored schemes.

By virtue of enactment of the Tamil Nadu Panchayats (Preparation of Plan and Estimates for works and Mode and Conditions of works) Rules, 2007 vide G.O.Ms.No.203 R.D. & P.R. Dept. dated 20.12.2007, the District Panchayats have been empowered to give administrative sanction and execute individual works up to Rs.20 lakhs from their General Funds without any external approval. Earlier the District Panchayats were empowered to sanction funds up to Rs.10 lakhs only. For all works costing more than Rs.20 lakhs but not more than Rs.50 lakhs, the District Collector is the competent authority to give the administrative sanction and for works costing more than Rs.50 lakhs, the Director of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj will be competent to accord administrative sanction. However for Centrally sponsored and State funded schemes, prior administrative sanction of the District Collector is necessary.