The Constitution of India recognizes Panchayats as 'Institutions of self government'. Currently, there are nearly 2.63 lakh Panchayats & about 31.47 lakh elected representatives (ERs) of PRIs of which 14.54 lakh (about 46.20%) are women. The Constitution empowers the States to devolve powers to the Panchayats to discharge their functions as institutions for local self-governance. Under the 15th Finance Commission for the period 2021-26, Rs. 2,36,805 Crore has been recommended for rural local bodies (RLBs)/ panchayats. Background Though the Panchayati Raj Institutions have been in existence for a long time, it has been observed that these institutions have not been able to acquire the status and dignity of viable and responsive people's bodies due to a number of reasons including absence of regular elections, prolonged super sessions, insufficient representation of weaker sections like Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes and women, inadequate devolution of powers and lack of financial resources. The Constitution (73rd Amendment) Act, 1992 that came into force with effect from 24th April, 1993 has vested constitutional status on Panchayati Raj institutions. This date thus marks a defining moment in the history of decentralization of political power to the grassroots level. The impact of the 73rd Amendment in rural India is very visible as it has changed power equations irreversibly. Accordingly, the Government of India decided in consultation with the States to celebrate 24th April as National Panchayati Raj Day. The commemoration is being anchored by the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. The National Panchayati Raj Day (NPRD) is being celebrated on 24 April since 2010. National Panchayati Raj Day 2025 The Ministry of Panchayati Raj celebrates National Panchayati Raj Day on April 24, 2025. As a third tier of government and the primary interface between the union government and rural communities, Panchayats play a crucial role in promoting Ease of Living and Ease of Doing Business in rural India. The Ministry’s digital initiatives are instrumental in promoting self-reliance, creating sustainable livelihoods, supporting inclusive development and advancing Localization of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs) across Gram Panchayats nationwide. National Panchayat Awards Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR), Government of India has been incentivizing the best performing Panchayats recommended by the State Governments/UT Administrations since 2011-12. During the National Panchayat Raj Day event, the following awards are being given to the best performing Panchayats. Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Sashaktikaran Puraskar (DDUPSP) - Top 3 GPs under each of 9 award themes - District, Intermediate and Gram Panchayat) across the States/UTs in recognition of the good work that is done by PRIs at each level for improving delivery of services and public goods. Nine thematic categories for GPs are Sanitation, Civic Services (Drinking Water, Street Light, infrastructure), Natural Resource Management, Marginalized section (Women, SC/ST, Disabled, Senior Citizen), Social Sector performance, Disaster Management, Community Based Organizations/Individuals taking voluntary actions to support GPs, Innovation in Revenue Generation and e-Governance. Nanaji Deshmukh Rashtriya Gaurav Gram Sabha Puraskar (NDRGGSP) - For top 3 best GPs, BPs and DPs with highest average score under all themes combined. It is given to Gram Panchayats/Village Councils for their outstanding contribution to the socio-economic development by involving Gram Sabhas. Special Category National Panchayat Awards Panchayat Kshamta Nirman Sarvottam Sansthan Puraskar (PKNSSP) – For 3 Institutions who has provided institutional support to GPs in achieving LSDGs - to recognize excellence in capacity building and training of Panchayati Raj representatives and functionaries. This award was instituted by the Ministry in 2023 and first awards were conferred in 2024. Climate Action Special Panchayat Award (CASPA) – For 3 GPs towards achieving Net-Zero carbon emissions and usage of renewable source of energy to encourage Panchayats to act as climate-responsive local governments; introduced during 2025 Atma Nirbhar Panchayat Special Award (ANPSA) – For 3 GPs for their efforts towards mobilization and augmentation of Own Source of Revenue (OSR) to promote Atmanirbharta; introduced during 2025 To know more about the National Panchayat Awards, click here. Revamped NPA National Panchayat Award themes Based on the "Localization of Sustainable Development Goals", the following nine themes are being followed. Poverty free and enhanced livelihoods Panchayat Healthy Panchayat Child friendly Panchayat Water sufficient Panchayat Clean and Green Panchayat Self-sufficient infrastructure in Panchayat Socially secured Panchayat Panchayat with good governance Women-friendly Panchayat (earlier termed Engendered development in Panchayat Categories of Awards Under the revamped system, the Awards will be given to Gram, Block and District Panchayats in two categories namely, Deen Dayal Upadhyay Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar (for individual theme-wise performance) and Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar (for aggregate performance under all the themes). Apart from this, some special categories of awards will be given to Gram Panchayats (GPs) namely, Gram Urja Swaraj Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar for adoption and usage of renewable sources of energy; Carbon Neutral Vishesh Panchayat Puraskar for exemplary work towards achieving Net-Zero carbon emissions; Nanaji Deshmukh Sarvottam Panchayat Satat Vikas Puraskar for GPs which qualify and get shortlisted for National Panchayat Awards during the subsequent years also; Panchayat Kshamta Nirmaan Sarvottam Sansthan Puraskar for Institutions which have provided institutional support to GPs in achieving LSDGs and Best Participating State/UT/District/Block Panchayat. Towards the endeavour of a successful implementation of the revamped National Panchayat Awards, MoPR is collaborating with nodal Central Ministries/Departments namely, Rural Development, Health & Family Welfare, Women & Child Development, Drinking Water & Sanitation, Social Justice & Empowerment and Water Resources, River Development and Ganga Rejuvenation. These nodal Ministries would be leading the Thematic Selection Committees for selection of National Level Awards on the concerned themes and the other line Ministries/Departments would be the members of these Committees. To access the revamped NPA guidelines, click here. Source : Ministry of Panchayati Raj Related resources List of Awardee Panchayats