The Ministry of Panchayati Raj released a National Study Report on Low Participation in Gram Sabha across States and Union Territories on 30th June 2026, prepared by the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (N.I.R.D.P.R). The assessment identified multiple factors contributing to low and inconsistent participation across Gram Panchayats, including livelihood and occupational constraints, weak awareness and inadequate communication systems, weak responsiveness to grievances, absence of line department officials, limited transparency in governance processes, and inadequate follow-up actions on issues raised during meetings. Regarding women's participation, the findings reflected continuing barriers relating to household responsibilities, social hesitation, male dominance during discussions, and limited opportunities for effective participation.
The constitutional context establishes that Panchayat is a State subject under the State List of the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. As per Article 243(b), a Gram Sabha comprises persons registered in the electoral rolls relating to the village, including women, youth, Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and other disadvantaged sections. Article 243A states that a Gram Sabha may exercise such powers and perform such functions at the village level as the State Legislature may provide, ensuring rural democracy, formulation of local development plans, social monitoring and accountability of Panchayats.
The Ministry has taken various steps to make Gram Sabha more participatory and accountable by circulating detailed advisories to States/UTs to revitalize the institution through measures such as sharing basic details of flagship government schemes in meetings, increasing frequencies of Gram Sabhas, ensuring minimum quorum as per State Panchayati Raj Acts, preparing regular standing agendas, facilitating separate Ward Sabha and Mahila Sabha meetings before Gram Sabha meetings, ensuring maximum attendance, and formation and functioning of Standing Sub-Committees of Gram Sabha.
The Ministry is implementing the Centrally Sponsored Scheme Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) since financial year 2022-23, with the objective of supporting Panchayati Raj Institutions by imparting training to Elected Representatives and other stakeholders to develop leadership abilities, enabling Gram Panchayats to function effectively. The scheme provides capacity-building support to elected representatives, functionaries, and other stakeholders including women, youth, SCs, STs and other disadvantaged sections under categories such as basic orientation and refresher programmes, thematic interventions, specialized training, and Panchayat Development Plan-related programmes.
Additionally, the Ministry has launched a Specialized Training Module as part of "Shashkta Panchayat Netri Abhiyan" for capacity building of Women Elected Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions, focusing on building capacity across different aspects of rural governance and enhancing knowledge and practical skills for effective discharge of roles and responsibilities, thereby promoting women-led governance.
The Ministry has also launched the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS), an experiential simulation of grassroots democracy in schools where students conduct mock Gram Sabha sessions involving agenda setting, deliberation, budgeting and passing of resolutions mirroring real procedures. The Ministry conducts the People's Plan Campaign (PPC) typically from 2nd October to 31st January, enabling Gram Panchayats to prepare comprehensive, inclusive and need-based development plans through active citizen engagement via Gram Sabhas, following a structured timeline for participatory planning, situation analysis and finalization of Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs).
Digital applications under the e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project (e-MMP) have been developed to strengthen transparency and citizen-centric governance. The eGramSwaraj portal facilitates preparation and monitoring of GPDPs through participatory planning processes involving Gram Sabha, while Panchayat NIRNAY is a digital application that facilitates end-to-end digital management of Gram Sabha meetings including scheduling, advance dissemination of agenda, and recording of proceedings and decisions.
This information was provided by Union Minister Shri Rajiv Ranjan Singh alias Lalan Singh in a written reply in Lok Sabha on 11th August 2026.