National Panchayati Raj Day (NPRD), also known as National Local Self-Government Day, is annually observed across India on April 24 to mark the establishment of the Panchayati Raj system and celebrate its role in strengthening grassroots democracy and decentralized governance.
- 2026 Theme: “Sashakt Panchayat, Sarvangeen Vikas(Empowered Panchayat, Comprehensive Development)”
Background:
Declaration: The Government of India (GoI), in consultation with states, designated 24 April as National Panchayati Raj Day (NPRD), which was officially declared in 2010 by Manmohan Singh, former Prime Minister (PM) of India.
First Observance: The first-ever NPRD was observed on 24 April 2010.
Date Significance: The date marks the institutionalisation of Panchayati Raj through the 73rd Constitutional Amendment Act, effective in 1993, which added Part IX “The Panchayats” and granted constitutional status to Panchayats as institutions of self-government under Article 243B.
2026 Events: NPRD was observed on April 24, 2026, at Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, Delhi, by the MoPR with participation from PRIs across states, districts, blocks, and Gram Panchayats.
- Key releases include the Panchayat Advancement Index (PAI) 2.0 report and three “Meri Panchayat Meri Dharohar” publications under the Panchayat Dharohar Initiative highlighting rural heritage.
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