Lok Sabha Question No. 2634 (UNSTARRED), answered on 2025-12-16
Subject: Panchayat Development Plans
Ministry: PANCHAYATI RAJ
Asked by: Shri Devusinh Chauhan, Shri Mahesh Kashyap

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## LOK SABHA UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. †2634

ANSWERED ON 16/12/2025

## PANCHAYAT DEVELOPMENT PLANS

## †2634. SHRI MAHESH KASHYAP: SHRI DEVUSINH CHAUHAN:

Will the Minister of PANCHAYATI RAJ be pleased to state:

- (a) the progress made so far in the implementation of the People's Plan Campaign (PPC) 2025-26 across States and Union Territories, including the number of Panchayat Development Plans (PDPs) prepared or under preparation for Financial Year 2026-27;
- (b) whether the Ministry has undertaken any assessment of the utilisation and effectiveness of digital platforms such as eGramSwaraj, Meri Panchayat App and Panchayat NIRNAY in supporting evidence-based planning during PPC, 2025-26;
- (c) if so, the details of the key findings;
- (d) whether the Ministry has updated or expanded the indicators used in the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) for evaluating Panchayat performance during PPC, 2025-26; and
- (e) if so, the details thereof?

## ANSWER

## THE MINISTER OF PANCHAYATI RAJ

## (SHRI RAJIV RANJAN SINGH ALIAS LALAN SINGH)

- (a) Panchayat, being 'Local Self Government', is a State subject and part of State list of Seventh Schedule of Constitution of India. However, Ministry has been implementing People's Plan Campaign (PPC) as ' Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas' since 2018 for preparation of Panchayat Development Plans (PDPs) at the grassroot level. The campaign starts on 2 nd October of each year and lasts till the end of financial year in a structured manner to prepare the plan for the next financial year. It is done through People's participation at various levels of Panchayati Raj Institutions including Gram/village Panchayats, Block/Intermediate Panchayats and District Panchayats. This year, the campaign has been rolled out from 2 nd October, 2025. The Ministry has issued guidelines and provided capacity building support, planning templates and digital tools to all States and Union territories for the preparation of PDPs. States/UTs have initiated the campaign activities. As on date, 1,48,355 Gram Sabhas have been scheduled and 1,39,305 have already been conducted.

(b) & (c) The Ministry, as part of the overall evaluation of the revamped RGSA, also assessed the e-Governance initiatives through the Institute of Rural Management Anand (IRMA). The assessment indicates better financial management and enhanced service delivery by Panchayati Raj Institutions enabled by improved adoption of digital platforms such as e-GramSwaraj, Meri Panchayat App and Panchayat Nirnay for planning, accounting and audit processes. The study further notes enhanced efficiency of service delivery at the grassroots by promoting accountability, reducing manual errors, and improving accessibility of information to both officials and citizens-outcomes made possible through the transition to digital workflows. The study also highlights areas requiring further strengthening, including digital literacy, last-mile connectivity and handholding support, which are being addressed through ongoing capacity-building and system-improvement measures.

In addition, NITI Aayog has commissioned an independent assessment of RGSA to provide complementary evidence on outcomes. The evaluation indicates enhanced PRI capacities in Panchayat operations, planning and implementation (including GPDP) digital governance, citizen engagement and financial engagement due to the Scheme's structured, multi layered capacity building, combining classroom/thematic modules, exposure visits and digital learning.

(d) & (e) Yes sir. Based on the recommendations of the Committee for Rationalization of Local Indicators under Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI), Ministry has rationalized the indicators from 516 in PAI 1.0 to 150 in PAI 2.0 for the year 2023-24 across 9 themes of Localization of Sustainable Development Goals. The transition from PAI 1.0 to PAI 2.0 was done focusing on refinement of the framework, with a more relevant and representative set of local indicators and data points to improve usability by simplifying workflows. Theme wise comparison of indicators of PAI 1.0 and PAI 2.0 is annexed.

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## Annexure

## Annexure refer to in reply to Part (d) & (e) of the Lok Sabha Unstarred Question No. 2634 to be answered on 16/12/2025 regarding Panchayat Development Plans

## Theme-wise comparison of PAI 1.0 &PAI 2.0

| Theme                                                     | Indicator Count   | Indicator Count   |
|-----------------------------------------------------------|-------------------|-------------------|
|                                                           | PAI 1.0           | PAI 2.0           |
| Theme 1 - Poverty Free and Enhanced Livelihoods Panchayat | 32                | 14                |
| Theme 2 - Healthy Panchayat                               | 21                | 15                |
| Theme 3 - Child Friendly Panchayat                        | 82                | 15                |
| Theme 4 - Water Sufficient Panchayat                      | 21                | 10                |
| Theme 5 - Clean and Green Panchayat                       | 33                | 11                |
| Theme 6 - Self-sufficient Infrastructure in Panchayat     | 159               | 18                |
| Theme 7 - Socially Just and Socially Secured Panchayat    | 62                | 20                |
| Theme 8 - Panchayat with Good Governance                  | 62                | 26                |
| Theme 9 - Women Friendly Panchayat                        | 44                | 21                |
| Total                                                     | 516               | 150               |

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