The Ministry of Panchayati Raj has announced special Gram Sabha meetings across India on 2 October 2026 to launch the People’s Plan Campaign for the financial year 2026-27. The campaign, titled “Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas” (Everyone’s Plan, Everyone’s Development), will enable Gram Panchayats to prepare their village development plans for the year 2027-28 through direct citizen participation.
The special Gram Sabhas will bring together villagers and local representatives to review how existing government schemes are working, identify local needs and gaps, and decide priorities for their villages. Multiple ministries and departments across the Government of India will participate to present their citizen-focused schemes and initiatives to these local assemblies.
Key facts
- Date: 2 October 2026
- Campaign name: Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas (People’s Plan Campaign 2026-27)
- Participating ministries: 9 ministries and departments from Government of India
- Gram Panchayats preparing plans: More than 2.55 lakh Gram Panchayats currently use eGramSwaraj to prepare and upload development plans
- Implementation history: People’s Plan Campaign has been implemented since 2018 across all States and Union Territories
What is the People’s Plan Campaign
The People’s Plan Campaign is a mechanism through which Gram Panchayats prepare comprehensive, inclusive and participatory development plans known as Gram Panchayat Development Plans (GPDPs). The campaign has been running since 2018 and enables villages to create plans based on local needs and evidence rather than top-down directives. More than 2.55 lakh Gram Panchayats currently use the digital platform eGramSwaraj to prepare and upload their plans.
Which schemes will be discussed
During the special Gram Sabhas, the following major government schemes and programmes will be highlighted:
Rural development and employment: The Viksit Bharat Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Grameen) will guarantee 125 days of wage employment annually for rural workers, along with the Viksit Gram Panchayat Plan for locally determined works.
Water and sanitation: Jal Jeevan Mission will provide rural household tap water connections, while Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen) will address sanitation, open defecation-free plus status and waste management. The Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari programme aims to improve water conservation and groundwater recharge through watershed development.
Food security: The One Nation One Ration Card scheme allows portability of foodgrain entitlements across states. The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana continues to provide food security support.
Land records and credit: The Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme will provide digitised and accessible land records, making property rights secure and helping citizens access credit more easily.
Consumer protection: The National Consumer Helpline and e-Jagriti platform will strengthen consumer awareness and grievance redressal at village level.
Panchayat strengthening: Finance Commission grants, capacity building under Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, digital governance through eGramSwaraj, Own Source Revenue initiatives and SVAMITVA scheme will be discussed.
What else will be covered
The Gram Sabhas will also discuss India’s new criminal laws: the Bharatiya Nyaya Sanhita, Bharatiya Nagarik Suraksha Sanhita and Bharatiya Sakshya Adhiniyam. Digital transformation of villages, cooperative strengthening, child marriage prevention (Bal Vivah Mukt Bharat), drug awareness (Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyan), and women and child protection initiatives will be covered. The new Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026 will be discussed as well.
What this means for you
If you live in a village, your Gram Sabha meeting on 2 October gives you a direct opportunity to assess how government schemes are benefiting your area and what is not working. You can voice local priorities for the next year’s development plan, whether it is water connections, employment opportunities, sanitation, land records, or other services. This is your chance to ensure that your village’s development plan reflects what your community actually needs rather than generic targets set from above.
How village plans are assessed
The Panchayat Advancement Index helps Gram Panchayats measure their progress across key development areas. This tool identifies achievements and gaps, giving the Gram Sabha a basis to set priorities and commitments (Sankalp) for the coming year. Citizens participating in the Gram Sabha can use this information to make informed decisions about local development.