Lok Sabha Question No. 230 (STARRED), answered on 2025-12-16
Subject: Representation of Women in Panchayati Raj Institutions
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Smt. Poonamben Hematbhai Maadam

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO- *230

ANSWERED ON- 16.12.2025

## REPRESENTATION OF WOMEN IN PANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTIONS

## *230. SMT. POONAMBEN HEMATBHAI MAADAM:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) whether the Government has reviewed the status of women's representation in Panchayati Raj Institutions in the country;
- (b) if so, the details thereof;
- (c) whether the Government has undertaken any capacity building and leadership training programmes for elected women representatives in Panchayati Raj Institutions; and
- (d) if so, the details thereof?

## THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

(SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH)

- (a) to (d) A Statement is laid on the Table of the House.

## ANSWER

## STATEMENT REFERRED TO IN REPLY TO LOK SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 230 ANSWERED ON 16.12.2025 REGARDING 'REPRESENTATION OF WOMENINPANCHAYATI RAJ INSTITUTIONS'.

(a) & (b) "Panchayat, being "Local Government", is a State Subject and part of the State List in the Seventh Schedule of the Constitution of India. Panchayats are set up and operate through the respective State Panchayati Raj Acts. All Panchayat related work, including reviewing the status of women's representation in Panchayati Raj Institutions, comes within the purview of State Government.

Article 243D of the Constitution of India provides not less than one-third reservation for women out of 'total number of seats to be filled by direct election in every Panchayat' and 'total number of offices of Chairpersons in the Panchayats at each level'. However, 21 States namely, Andhra Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Chhattisgarh, Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Jharkhand, Karnataka, Kerala, Madhya Pradesh, Maharashtra, Odisha, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Tripura, Uttarakhand and West Bengal and 2 Union Territories (UTs) namely, Lakshadweep and Dadra & Nagar Haveli and Daman & Diu, have gone even further and have made provisions of 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions in their respective State Panchayati Raj Acts/Rules encouraging increased participation in grassroots governance.

At present, as per information available with the Ministry, out of 24,24,108 elected representatives as on 25.11.2025, 12,06,013 (49.75%) are women elected representatives. This number as mentioned is beyond the minimum 33% reservation due to some States having upto even 50% reservation for women in Panchayati Raj Institutions and since women elected representatives are also elected from open seats. The number of elected representatives is dynamic in nature which changes with conduct of fresh elections in the Panchayati Raj Institutions from time to time.

(c) & (d) The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has implemented a Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) w.e.f. financial year 2022-23 with the major objective of Capacity Building & Training (CB&T) of Elected Representatives, Functionaries and other stakeholders of Panchayats across all States/UTs for improving Panchayat Governance. Under the scheme of RGSA, Ministry provides support for CB&T of elected representatives, functionaries and other stakeholders of Panchayats in different categories viz. basic orientation and refresher training, thematic training, specialized training, panchayat development plan training etc. A total of 27,32,762 Women Elected Representatives were trained from FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-26 (as on 25 th November 2025) under the scheme.

Further, this year the Ministry has launched a comprehensive specialized training module as a part of 'Shashkta Panchayat Netri Abhiyan' for the capacity building of Women Elected Representatives of Panchayati Raj Institutions. The focus of the training module is to build the capacity of the Women Elected Representatives on different aspects of rural governance, enhance the knowledge & practical skills for effective delivery of roles & responsibilities as elected representatives and also to develop the leadership, communication, managerial & decision making skills for effective women led governance. A total of 44,143 Women Elected Representatives (as on 25 th November 2025) were trained on these modules.

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