🏛️ Description
The Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) is the nodal ministry of the Government of India responsible for strengthening and empowering Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) — the cornerstone of India’s decentralized governance system. Established in 2004, the Ministry aims to realize the vision of “Gram Swaraj” (village self-governance) as envisioned by Mahatma Gandhi by enabling effective local governance and participatory democracy.
MoPR works to improve governance, transparency, and accountability at the grassroots level through digital innovation, capacity building, and social inclusion. It coordinates with State Governments and PRIs to ensure that local bodies are adequately empowered to plan and implement development programs in line with the needs of rural citizens.
🎯 Mandate
- Formulate and implement policies for the strengthening of Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs).
- Support devolution of powers, finances, and functions to PRIs under the 73rd Constitutional Amendment.
- Build institutional capacity for participatory local governance and rural planning.
- Promote e-Panchayat and digital governance tools for transparency and service delivery.
- Implement Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs) aligned with local priorities and SDGs.
- Encourage women’s leadership and inclusivity in grassroots democratic structures.
- Coordinate with States, UTs, and other ministries for convergence of rural development programs.
- Enhance accountability and citizen participation through social audits and performance assessments.
🌐 Official Website
🏢 Offices & Contacts
Headquarters:
Ministry of Panchayati Raj
Sardar Patel Bhawan, Parliament Street,
New Delhi – 110001, India
Telephone: +91-11-23354746 / 23354741
Email: secy-panchayat@nic.in
Website: https://panchayat.gov.in
🏗️ Flagship Initiatives & Key Portals
- e-Panchayat Mission Mode Project: Digital governance tools for PRIs — https://epanchayat.gov.in
- SVAMITVA Scheme: Survey of villages and mapping with drones for property ownership — https://svamitva.nic.in
- Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP): Participatory planning at grassroots level.
- Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA): Capacity building and training for PRIs — https://rgsa.nic.in
- e-Gram Swaraj Portal: Unified platform for Panchayat planning and accounting — https://egramswaraj.gov.in
- AuditOnline: Online auditing system for Panchayat accounts — https://auditonline.gov.in
- Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs): Linking GPDPs to SDG targets for local-level action.
- DISHA Dashboard: Real-time monitoring of rural development projects — https://rural.nic.in/disha