New Gram Swaraj Scheme Targets Village Development Across India
A new national programme aimed at strengthening village governance has received Cabinet approval. The Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana, cleared by the Union Cabinet on Wednesday under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, will operate from 2026-27 through 2030-31.
The scheme has been conceived as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a total outlay of Rs 7,395.55 crore. Of this amount, Rs 4,869.48 crore will come from the Centre and Rs 2,526.07 crore from the states.
According to the Cabinet's official statement, the programme will benefit over 2.55 lakh panchayats and traditional local bodies. Roughly 32 lakh elected representatives, panchayat workers and other stakeholders are also expected to gain. Awareness initiatives will reach at least one crore citizens each time they are organised.
The core idea is to prepare around 2.55 lakh Samagra Gram Panchayat Development Plans every year on the eGramSwaraj portal. These plans will merge village requirements with central and state schemes and existing resources, creating a participatory model of development.
Officials say the approach will connect the national goal of Viksit Bharat with the everyday needs of villages. The aim is to ensure that panchayats function not just as administrative bodies but as real centres of local progress.
The scheme will further enhance eGramSwaraj and other e-Panchayat tools. A shared digital platform will carry information on government programmes, beneficiaries, community assets and resources. Panchayats will be able to detect gaps in development, understand local priorities and monitor the implementation of schemes.
The government will also use PANCHAM, an AI-enabled communication platform that supports 17 Indian languages. It will explain government programmes and national initiatives to people and panchayats in simple terms.
Each year, about 32 lakh representatives and panchayat officials will receive training and digital support. Their capacity will be built in areas such as development planning, resource management, citizen engagement and localisation of Sustainable Development Goals.
To improve financial oversight, 2.55 lakh online audit plans will be prepared annually. Audits will be conducted on time through AuditOnline. The government expects this to increase transparency and help panchayats become more accountable and self-reliant.
The scheme will cover all states and Union Territories. It will also include regions where the Part IX Panchayat system is not implemented and traditional local bodies are active.
While the scheme will not create any permanent positions, contract-based human resources may be deployed at the state, district and block levels as needed. They will support technical needs and ensure smooth execution of the programme.