Punchayet is a term that is widely used in India, and it refers to a council or committee that manages the affairs of a local community. There are several synonyms for punchayet, and these include Panchayat, Gram Panchayat, and Village Council. The term Panchayat is popularly used in Northern India and is a combination of two words - Panch, meaning five, and Ayat, meaning a group of people. Gram Panchayat is a term used in rural areas, while Village Council is commonly used in urban areas. Other synonyms for punchayet include Panch, Panchayati Raj, and Panchayati System. All these terms are used interchangeably to refer to a council that manages local community affairs.