Centre clears ₹7,396-crore panchayat capacity-building scheme for 2026-31
PM Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana aims to train 32 lakh elected representatives, prepare 2.55 lakh village development plans, and strengthen grassroots planning
The Union Cabinet approved the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PM-VGSY), a ₹7,395.55-crore scheme, on October 28, 2026, to enhance the planning and governance capacities of gram panchayats in India from 2026-27 to 2030-31. The Central government will contribute ₹4,869.48 crore, while the state governments will contribute ₹2,526.07 crore.
Around 32 lakh elected representatives, panchayat functionaries, and stakeholders from 2.55 lakh gram panchayats and traditional local bodies will undergo training under the programme. The scheme is an upgraded version of the Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, with a stronger focus on holistic development and digital handholding for panchayat representatives.
The government aims to position gram panchayats as the cornerstone of local governance and development planning. Through the eGramSwaraj portal, 2.55 lakh Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GDPDs) will be prepared, aligning village-level priorities with Central and State government schemes and resources. The programme will conduct awareness drives, with each campaign targeting at least one lakh citizens.
A key feature of PM-VGSY is the development of a common digital platform, integrating information on government schemes, beneficiaries, community assets, and available resources. This platform will aid panchayats in identifying development gaps, improving departmental coordination, and monitoring implementation more efficiently.
Written by urgent.news from The Hindu's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
