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The Ministry of Panchayati Raj released 'Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States — An Indicative Evidence-Based Ranking, 2024' in February 2025, introducing a Devolution Index ranking States/UTs on six dimensions — Framework, Functions, Finances, Functionaries, Capacity Enhancement, and Accountability.
During the 15th Finance Commission award period (FY2020-21 to FY2025-26), ₹2,82,632 crore has been released against a total allocation of ₹2,97,555 crore to Panchayati Raj Institutions.
Under the Revamped Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA, since FY2022-23), ₹3,601.77 crore has been released over five years; 1.66 crore+ Elected Representatives trained; 90.73% of PRIs (2,40,435 of 2,64,998) generated audit reports in FY2024-25 via the eGramSwaraj-PFMS-AuditOnline digital ecosystem.
New digital tools include the SAMARTH Panchayat portal (for Own Source Revenue collection) and the Atma Nirbhar Panchayat Special Award (ANPSA, launched 2025) to incentivise Panchayats' own-revenue growth.
Rank States/UTs on the extent of financial and administrative empowerment of Panchayati Raj Institutions
Key: Released Feb 2025; covers all Part-IX States/UTs; scored across six dimensions
Build PRI capacity via training and a learning ecosystem for elected representatives/functionaries
Key: Centrally Sponsored Scheme since FY2022-23; ₹3,601.77 crore released (from FY2021-22); 1.66 crore+ Elected Representatives trained (FY2022-23 to FY2026-27)
Digital governance ecosystem for PRI planning, budgeting, payments and audit
Key: eGramSwaraj launched 2020-21; AuditOnline launched April 2020; SAMARTH Panchayat portal digitises Own Source Revenue (OSR) collection; 90.73% of PRIs generated audit reports in FY2024-25
Nodal ministry for PRI capacity-building, devolution assessment and digital governance tools
Successor body determining the next award period's devolution to local bodies including Panchayats
Added Part IX (Articles 243-243O) and the Eleventh Schedule (29 subjects), constitutionalising Panchayati Raj; in force from 24 April 1993
Empowers State legislatures to devolve powers/responsibilities over the 29 Eleventh Schedule subjects to Panchayats — devolution remains a State decision
| Aspect | 15th Finance Commission | 16th Finance Commission |
|---|---|---|
| Award period | FY2020-21 to FY2025-26 | FY2026-27 onward (5-year award period) |
| Chairman | N.K. Singh | Dr. Arvind Panagariya |
| Constituted | 2019 | 31 December 2023 |
GS Paper 2 > Polity > Panchayati Raj & Local Self-Government
Who was the Minister of Science and Technology (as of 2024 question context)?
Answer: Dr. Jitendra Singh
Who is the Chief Minister of Tamil Nadu (as of 2024)?
Answer: M.K. Stalin
Recurring — Panchayati Raj funding and devolution data updated most Parliament sessions
A ranking of States/UTs on the actual extent of financial and administrative empowerment of Panchayats, across six dimensions
Added by the 73rd Amendment; lists 29 subjects that States may devolve to Panchayats under Article 243G