Pariksha SaathiCabinet approves the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an outlay of Rs 7,395.55 crore
The Union Cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, has approved the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana (PM VGSY), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme (CSS) described as a next-generation governance transformation initiative aligned with the national vision of Viksit Bharat, for implementation from 2026-27 to 2030-31, co-terminus with the Sixteenth Finance Commission period, according to a PIB release of 28 October 2026. The scheme outlay is Rs 7,395.55 crore, comprising a Central Share of Rs 4,869.48 crore and a State Share of Rs 2,526.07 crore. Around 32 lakh elected representatives, along with Panchayat functionaries and other stakeholders, across over 2.55 lakh Panchayats and Traditional Local Bodies will be its direct beneficiaries. The scheme will support the preparation of 2.55 lakh holistic Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) annually on the eGramSwaraj Portal, bringing the planning processes of all concerned Central Ministries/Departments and State Governments onto a common digital platform; reach at least 1 crore citizens in each coordinated awareness-generation exercise through existing digital and outreach platforms, Gram Sabhas and other Panchayat forums (the release names PANCHAM, an AI-enabled, multilingual, two-way communication platform in 17 Indian languages, among the existing platforms the scheme will use to explain government schemes and national initiatives); strengthen the governance capabilities of the elected representatives, functionaries and other stakeholders annually through capacity building and digital handholding; and support the preparation of at least 2.55 lakh online audit plans annually and the timely completion of the corresponding audits through AuditOnline, alongside improved accounting, public disclosure and Own Source Revenue (OSR) mobilisation. No permanent posts will be created, though need-based contractual human resources may be engaged at the State, District and Block levels. The scheme will extend to all States/UTs, including institutions of rural local government (traditional local bodies) in non-Part IX areas where Panchayats do not exist. The release notes that the Sixteenth Finance Commission has recommended around Rs 4.35 lakh crore in grants for Rural Local Bodies during 2026-27 to 2030-31. The scheme will be implemented through the State Governments and UT Administrations, which will submit Annual Action Plans for appraisal and approval by the designated Central Empowered Committee.
Drafted with AI assistance from the official PIB release linked above and checked against it by a second AI pass. Not line-edited by a human.
Learning context
On 13 April 2022 the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs, chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, approved the continuation of the revamped Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA) for the period 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2026, co-terminus with the XV Finance Commission period, to develop the governance capabilities of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs). Its total financial outlay was Rs 5,911 crore, with a Central Share of Rs 3,700 crore and a State Share of Rs 2,211 crore. The scheme was to help more than 2.78 lakh Rural Local Bodies, including Traditional Bodies, develop governance capabilities to deliver on the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and around 60 lakh elected representatives, functionaries and other stakeholders of Rural Local Bodies were to be its direct beneficiaries. Its focus was on capacitating elected representatives to localise the SDGs under nine themes, from poverty-free and enhanced livelihood in villages to engendered development in villages. The Central Components were fully funded by the Government of India, while the State Components were funded in the ratio 60:40 between the Centre and the States, except for the North-Eastern and Hilly States and the UT of J&K, where the ratio was 90:10; for other UTs the Central share was 100%. The original RGSA had been approved by the Union Cabinet on 21.04.2018 for implementation from 2018-19 to 2021-22.
Check yourself: what was the total outlay of the revamped RGSA approved in April 2022, how was it shared between the Centre and the States, and for what period was it approved?
Rs 5,911 crore, with a Central Share of Rs 3,700 crore and a State Share of Rs 2,211 crore; 01.04.2022 to 31.03.2026, co-terminus with the XV Finance Commission period.
Revision task: from this release, note the scheme's period and why it ends in 2030-31, its outlay with the Central and State shares, its beneficiaries, its annual targets for development plans and audit plans, the PANCHAM platform, its coverage and how it will be implemented; from the note, the outlay, period, beneficiaries and funding pattern of the revamped RGSA approved in 2022.
Test yourself
Under the Pradhan Mantri Viksit Gram Swaraj Yojana, which AI-enabled, multilingual, two-way communication platform in 17 Indian languages will be used to explain government schemes and national initiatives in simple, accessible language?
Show the answer
Answer: PANCHAM
The release says PM VGSY will use existing training, digital and outreach platforms, including PANCHAM (an AI-enabled, multilingual, two-way communication platform in 17 Indian languages), to explain government schemes and national initiatives, while Gram Sabhas and Panchayat platforms encourage community discussion. eGramSwaraj is the portal on which the scheme will support the preparation of 2.55 lakh holistic Gram Panchayat Development Plans annually. The scheme, approved for 2026-27 to 2030-31, has an outlay of Rs 7,395.55 crore.
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