Union Minister for Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan will chair the first-ever Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan 2026 scheduled for June 28-29 at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium in Pusa, New Delhi. This two-day national conference brings together Rural Development Ministers, senior government officials, and experts from all States and Union Territories to deliberate on holistic rural development and formulate a future roadmap for rural India aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of 'Viksit Gram, Viksit Bharat'.
The conference will undertake a comprehensive review of major rural development programmes including Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission, Rural Skill Development Programmes, and the National Social Assistance Programme. Discussions will focus on effective implementation of the VB-GRAMG Act, 2025, strengthening planning processes at the Gram Panchayat level, and ensuring efficient utilisation of resources.
Thematic sessions will cover rural housing, road connectivity, livelihoods, skill development, and social security, with special emphasis on the 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative to strengthen women's economic empowerment through Self-Help Groups, promote rural entrepreneurship, and expand employment opportunities. The conference will also deliberate on enhancing skill development and market linkages for rural youth.
Technology and Artificial Intelligence will receive special attention, with deliberations focusing on digital platforms, real-time monitoring, transparency, accountability, and technology-driven solutions to improve program implementation effectiveness. On the second day, plenary sessions and ministerial discussions will gather suggestions from all States before finalizing the future action plan.
The conference will witness the release of key publications on rural development covering water security, Gram Development Plans, women's empowerment, rural livelihoods, and success stories, intended to serve as practical knowledge resources for States and Gram Panchayats. The valedictory session will present key outcomes and outline the central role of villages in achieving the vision of a Viksit Bharat by 2047.