Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana

Key Highlights:

• Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana, a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, was approved on 28 October, 2026.
• The scheme is for the period 2026-27 to 2030-31 with a total outlay of ₹7,395.55 crore.
• It aims to strengthen Gram Panchayats as centers of integrated and participatory development planning.
• The scheme covers all States and Union Territories, including traditional rural local government institutions.
• Annual targets include over 2.55 lakh Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) and online audit plans.
• It seeks to reach at least one crore citizens per awareness-generation intervention.

Detailed Insights:

• The initiative aligns grassroots development with the national vision of Viksit Bharat.
• It aims to transform Panchayats into empowered, self-reliant, and accountable institutions of local self-government.
• The scheme's implementation period coincides with the Sixteenth Finance Commission period, aiding effective resource utilization.
• It focuses on six pillars: local governance hubs, holistic planning, digital governance, connecting national priorities, capacity building, and transparent resource utilization.
• Digital platforms like eGramSwaraj, PANCHAM, and AuditOnline are integral for implementation and monitoring.
• Capacity building will support around 32 lakh governance stakeholders annually, including elected representatives and functionaries.

Key Concepts Involved:

• Centrally Sponsored Scheme: Schemes where a certain percentage of funding is provided by the Central Government to states for implementation.
• Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs): Annual plans prepared by Gram Panchayats for local development, integrating village priorities and government interventions.
• eGramSwaraj: A comprehensive digital application for Panchayati Raj Institutions covering planning, budgeting, accounting, and asset management.
• PANCHAM: A WhatsApp-based tool for direct, two-way digital interaction with Panchayat representatives, officials, and citizens.
• AuditOnline: An application for carrying out online audits of Panchayati Raj accounts to strengthen financial management and transparency.