India transforming towards the vision of Viksit Bharat 2047, with its roots of development in the villages. With the Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas, People’s Plan Campaign, the government is empowering Gram Panchayats to plan, execute and oversee their own development by transforming rural India into an active participant in nation-building.
The Gram Panchayat is the most essential institution of India three-tier Panchayati Raj system. Panchayats were established by the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, 1992 and are the part of the spirit of participatory democracy at the grassroot level. Article 243G of the Constitution acknowledges Panchayats as local self-governments, charging them with the responsibility of preparing and executing plans for economic development and social justice.
India now has more than 2.55 lakh Gram Panchayats, serving over 6 lakh villages and nearly 65% of its population. They are responsible for local administration, elementary service delivery and welfare schemes while promoting inclusion of weaker sections. Their performance has a direct impact on the success of India’s rural development and governance system.
Gram Panchayat Development Plan: Blueprint for Local Growth
At the heart of this system is the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP). It makes sure that every Panchayat identifies its local requirements, puts them in order of priority and utilize available funds in an open and integrated manner.
The GPDP is a participatory process through Gram Sabha sessions, where citizens of Gram elect members and front-line workers discuss issues related to water, sanitation, roads, education and health. The GPDP, BPDP and DPDP extend to the 29 items mentioned in the Eleventh Schedule of the Constitution.
The topics such as agriculture, women and child development, roads and education are very much in line with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) play a central role in localizing global development goals for India rural communities.
Linking SDGs to Villages: Approach to Development
To translate the global SDG at the actionable level of a village, the Ministry of Panchayati Raj launched a thematic approach, categorizing the 17 SDG into nine Localised Sustainable Development Goal (LSDG) themes. This framework enables Panchayats to develop planning under the whole government and whole society approach, facilitating collective engagement by departments, communities and citizens.
As per NITI Aayog SDG India Index 2023, Kerala, Tamil Nadu and Himachal Pradesh have been witnessing rigorous progress, all due to well-designed Panchayati systems as well as local planning processes.
Since 2018 Self-Help Groups (SHGs) have been engaged in the preparation of Village Prosperity and Resilience Plans (VPRPs). These plans emphasize livelihood improvement, resilience building and resource management in a sustainable manner by taking villages towards integrated development.
People’s Plan Campaign: Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas
For reaching the planning process to the people, the People’s Plan Campaign (PPC) was started on 2nd October 2018 with the motto “Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas”. Being carried out annually on a mission mode, the campaign has the effect of making the development planning participatory, comprehensive and convergent at the Gram, Block and District levels.
The campaign promotes organized Gram Sabha sittings where villagers and local functionaries deliberate on schemes in progress, determine priorities and make decisions jointly. It also facilitates openness and accountability by posting details of funds, schemes and plans on public notice boards along with electronic media.
Gender-sensitive governance is a core part of the campaign. Active involvement of Women Elected Representatives, SHG’s and women community leaders guarantees equitable participation and leadership of rural decision-making.
2025–26 Abhiyaan: A New Phase of Panchayat Planning
Peoples Plan Campaign 2025–26 began on 2nd October 2025 in all States and Union Territories, starting the nation-wide process of preparation of Panchayat Development Plans (PDPs) for FY 2026–27.
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has conducted virtual consultations with State Governments, UT administrations and State Institutes of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj to adopt strategies and make smooth coordination.
In order to ensure convergence, the Ministry collaborated with 20 Ministries and Government of India Departments by instructing their counterparts in States and UTs to participate in the campaign through Special Gram Sabha meetings. States were requested to nominate nodal officers, train the facilitators and make sure Public Information Boards clearly display scheme information.
The initiative seeks to make local government participatory, transparent, and accountable. Gram Sabha’s are mandated to review previous GPDP’s on digital platforms such as eGramSwaraj, Meri Panchayat App and Panchayat NIRNAY. It will review delays, evaluate progress and set priorities for uncompleted or non-spent works associated with Central Finance Commission (CFC) grants.
The planning process is framed by the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) with digital platforms like SabhaSaar streamlining deliberations. Focus is also being given to growing Own Source Revenue of Panchayats (OSR) through mapping local resources and the identification of possible revenue streams.
One of the highlights of the campaign this year is its emphasis on tribal empowerment under the Adi Karmayogi Abhiyaan which enhances capacity development and engagement of tribal Panchayats. It is consistent with the national vision of Sabka Sath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas.
Achievements of making Planning People-Centric
Since its launch in 2018, the People’s Plan Campaign has transformed Panchayats into drivers of participatory planning. As per the eGramSwaraj Portal up to 29th July 2025, over 18.13 lakh Panchayat Development Plans have been submitted across the country, including:
• 17.73 lakh Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs)
• 35,755 Block Panchayat Development Plans (BPDPs)
• 3,469 District Panchayat Development Plans (DPDPs)
This achievement represents more than 90% rural coverage and emphasizes to what degree the campaign has invested in local mechanisms of governance.
Digitalization has been the hallmark of Panchayat functioning throughout the years. The eGramSwaraj portal now connects over 2.5 lakh Panchayats, enabling financial payments to be monitored in real-time, project monitoring and transparency in public disclosures. The 2024 Ministry evaluation indicates that around 80% of Panchayats are actively showcasing their budgets, a humongous leap in transparency and accountability.
The campaign has consolidated the linkages of SHGs and community-based organizations to planning exercises, narrowing the gap between community participation and governance.
The 2025–26 campaign also goes deeper into the ethos of Jan Bhagidari (people’s participation). The Ministry focus is on digital technology has improved planning as more data-oriented and citizen-focused. By giving power to local institutions to analyze data and set priorities, governance is becoming efficient and responsive.
Application of technology tool like SabhaSaar, PAI-based rank, and mobile apps like Meri Panchayat has made it easy to track projects and manage funds even for small Panchayats. The initiative towards Own Source Revenue is also promoting Panchayats financial independence and reducing reliance on central or state grants.
Focus on Adi Karmayogi Abhiyaan ensures that tribal Panchayats are not behind. With greater leadership and capacity building, it offers chances of inclusive growth and participation in decision-making.
Viksit Bharat through Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas
The Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas People’s Plan Campaign is not merely an administrative change, but a shift in the governance culture. It turns development from top-down to bottom-up from state-focused to citizen-focused and has participatory approach. By linking grassroot governance to national aspirations, the campaign makes the tale of India’s development begin from villages. When Panchayats map their path of development, national programmes gain relevance, effectiveness and durability.
India in 2025 is a witnessing example of participatory democracy. Each Gram Sabha under the campaign is a platform where empowerment and transparency meet. The achievement of the Ministry in localization of SDGs through participatory planning is an indication of the country’s preparedness to attain Viksit Bharat 2047.
The People’s Plan Campaign “Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas” is India’s most revolutionary government program of recent times. By bringing together communities, institutions and technology, it has brought development within everyone’s reach, making it accountable and transparent.
With over 18 lakh Panchayat Development Plans, mass digitalization and spirited citizen participation, the campaign is redefining India’s democratic narrative. Empowered Panchayat is the beacon of Viksit Bharat as India looks to 2047.
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