National Panchayati Raj Day, observed annually on April 24, highlights the growing strength of grassroots democracy in India, with Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) continuing to play a central role in local governance, inclusion, and rural development
The day commemorates the implementation of the 73rd Constitutional Amendment, which came into force in 1993 and granted constitutional status to Panchayats under Part IX of the Constitution. Over the past three decades, the system has expanded significantly, with over 2.5 lakh Panchayats and around 24.04 lakh elected representatives, of whom nearly 49.75 per cent are women — a major milestone in inclusive governance.
Building capacity at the grassroots
Beyond institutional expansion and digital transformation, a parallel focus has been on strengthening Panchayats through training, institutional support and infrastructure.
At the centre of this effort is the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA). In 2025-26, more than 45 lakh participants, including elected representatives and Panchayat functionaries, received training under the scheme.
The initiative also saw 33,142 exposure visits organised for cross-learning, 632 Panchayat Learning Centres set up and 1,087 Gram Panchayat Bhawans constructed, alongside support for digital infrastructure to improve local governance.
Women at the centre of local governance
Women’s leadership has emerged as a key pillar of grassroots democracy. Through the Model Women-Friendly Gram Panchayat initiative, states and Union Territories are being encouraged to develop one Panchayat in each district as a model for gender-sensitive and inclusive governance.
Complementing this is the “Sashakt Panchayat–Netri Abhiyan”, under which 1,48,904 elected women representatives have been trained to strengthen leadership, communication and decision-making skills.
Engaging youth in democracy
Democratic participation is also being extended to younger citizens through the Model Youth Gram Sabha initiative, which involves students from Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalaya and Eklavya Model Residential Schools in mock Gram Sabha proceedings, introducing them to grassroots governance.
Strengthening tribal self-governance
In tribal regions, the PESA Act continues to shape community-led governance, covering 10 states, 77,564 villages, 22,040 Panchayats and 664 blocks, with its jurisdiction spanning 45 districts in full and parts of 63 others. Applicable across Fifth Schedule areas, the framework has seen nine states notify PESA Rules, with Odisha yet to do so. A Centre of Excellence at Indira Gandhi National Tribal University has also been supporting implementation through work on customary practices, model Gram Sabhas and documentation of best practices.
During 2025-26, 1,744 training programmes were conducted across PESA states, covering 1,03,384 participants, while more than 12,500 personnel have been engaged in field implementation. Documentation of 40 Gram Sabha best practices under PESA in Action: Stories of Strength and Self Governance has further sought to capture lessons from the ground and strengthen community-led governance in tribal regions.
Fiscal support and decentralisation
Fiscal decentralisation has further strengthened Panchayats. Under the 15th Finance Commission, around ₹2.36 lakh crore was recommended for Rural Local Bodies, rising to nearly ₹4.35 lakh crore under the 16th Finance Commission.
Combined with rising rural development allocations and convergence with flagship programmes such as Jal Jeevan Mission and Swachh Bharat Mission, these measures have expanded the developmental role of Panchayats.
