Study OAS · 27 June 2026

First National Rural Development Conference 2026

What’s the News?

The first National Rural Development Conference 2026 (Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan) was organised in New Delhi under the chairmanship of Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan. The conference brought together Union and State governments to formulate a common roadmap for "Viksit Gram, Viksit Bharat", review flagship rural development programmes, and improve last-mile delivery of welfare schemes.

National Rural Development Conference

Objectives

Develop a shared national strategy for rural transformation.
Strengthen Centre–State coordination in implementing rural development schemes.
Review the progress and impact of flagship programmes.
Promote innovation, technology, and AI-driven governance in rural development.
Improve transparency, accountability, and last-mile service delivery.

Major Focus Areas

Rural housing.
Rural road connectivity.
Rural livelihoods and self-employment.
Women's economic empowerment through Lakhpati Didi.
Rural employment programmes.
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and digital governance.
Sustainable and inclusive village development.

Viksit Gram, Viksit Bharat

Serves as the central theme of the conference.
Envisions holistic rural development as the foundation for achieving Viksit Bharat.
Emphasises:
- Infrastructure development.
- Livelihood generation.
- Social inclusion.
- Technology-driven governance.
- Community participation in village development.

Additional Info

Ministry of Rural Development
- Nodal ministry for rural poverty alleviation and infrastructure development.
- Departments:
  - Department of Rural Development.
  - Department of Land Resources.
  - Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation (until its transfer to the Jal Shakti Ministry).
Major Flagship Schemes
- Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) – Rural housing.
- Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) – All-weather rural roads.
- Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) – Self-Help Groups (SHGs) and livelihoods.
- MGNREGA – Guaranteed wage employment in rural areas.
- Lakhpati Didi Initiative – Empowering women SHG members to achieve an annual household income of at least ₹1 lakh.
Governance Principle
- Cooperative Federalism:
  - Collaboration between the Union and State Governments in policy formulation and implementation.
  - Essential for effective execution of centrally sponsored rural development programmes.