The Ministry of Panchayati Raj will release the National Study Report on 'Low Participation in Gram Sabha Across States and Union Territories' on June 30, 2026, in New Delhi. The report will be released by Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, Member of NITI Aayog, in the presence of Shri Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, along with other senior government officials, NIRD&PR representatives, academicians, researchers, and Panchayati Raj stakeholders.
The report has been prepared by NIRD&PR for the Ministry of Panchayati Raj and is based on extensive field research covering approximately 7,790 respondents across around 400 Gram Panchayats in 26 States and Union Territories. The study specifically includes PESA (Panchayats Extension to Scheduled Areas) and Women-led Gram Panchayats in its scope.
The report examines multiple dimensions influencing Gram Sabha participation, including awareness levels among citizens, communication systems, inclusiveness measures, institutional responsiveness, governance practices, infrastructure availability, and citizen perceptions. The Gram Sabha, which is envisaged under Article 243A of the Indian Constitution, serves as the cornerstone of participatory local governance in India.
The primary aim of the study is to identify practical measures for strengthening participatory democracy and grassroots governance across rural India. The report provides evidence-based actionable inputs for policy formulation, institutional strengthening, and enhanced citizen participation in Gram Sabhas, with the ultimate goal of fostering more vibrant, inclusive, and accountable Panchayati Raj Institutions.