Zilla panchayats are constituted in Karnataka at a district level to look after the development of the district. According to Karnataka Panchayat Raj Act 1993 the number of members will be decided on the basis of population of the district. For every 40,000 population is represented by one member. The members are directly elected by the voters for a period of 5 years.

Functions of Zilla panchayat: Zilla panchayat is the nodal point of all developmental activities of the district.

Following are the functions of Zilla panchayat:

• Supervision co-ordination, direction and integrating development work at the district level. 
• Conservation and development of agriculture and horticulture. 
• Land development and soil conservation. 
• Building and conservation of irrigational works. 
• Encourage animal husbandry, dairy development, and poultry. 
• Encourage rural cottage industries. 
• Construction of district roads, buildings, and other communication facilities . 
• Support small-scale industries. 
• Establishment and maintenance of Public distribution system (PDS)
• Electrification of rural areas. 
• Encourage co-operative activities. 
• Implementation of health and family welfare programmes. 
• Establishment and maintenance of primary and high schools. 
• Planning and supervision of poverty alleviation programmes. 
• Encourage rural cottage industries. 
• Take up any work as directed by the state government under Panchayat Raj Act.