- Why in news
- On 18 March 2026 the Panchayati Raj Ministry told the Rajya Sabha that devolution to panchayats depends on States. It cited its Devolution Index report (Feb 2025) and eGramSwaraj data.
- What it is
- The Devolution Index is part of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj report 'Status of Devolution to Panchayats in States - An Indicative Evidence-Based Ranking'. It scores and ranks States and UTs on how far powers, money and staff have actually been given to panchayats. Devolution rests on Article 243G, added by the 73rd Amendment, which lets State legislatures decide what panchayats do.
- Constitutional basis
- Article 243G lets a State legislature, by law, give panchayats powers and responsibilities for economic development and social justice plans and schemes, including Eleventh Schedule matters.
- Six dimensions
- The index scores States on Framework, Functions, Finances, Functionaries, Capacity Enhancement and Accountability.
- Publisher and date
- The Ministry of Panchayati Raj released the 2024 ranking report in February 2025.
- Eleventh Schedule
- It lists 29 subjects that State legislatures are to consider for devolution to panchayats.
- State subject
- Panchayats operate under State Panchayati Raj Acts, so devolution varies across States.
- Part IX
- Part IX of the Constitution (Articles 243 to 243O) deals with panchayats, inserted by the 73rd Amendment Act, 1992.
Don’t confuse with Article 243G vs Article 243ZD: 243G deals with powers and responsibilities of panchayats. 243ZD concerns district planning committees; 243ZE covers metropolitan planning.
Don’t confuse with Eleventh vs Twelfth Schedule: Eleventh Schedule lists 29 panchayat subjects. Twelfth Schedule lists 18 municipal subjects.
Reports and indices: 14 Prelims questions since 2013; they test who publishes a report and what it measures.
Why it matters
- Shows how far panchayats truly hold powers, funds and staff, beyond the constitutional text.
- Ranking can push States to compete on devolution.
Problems
- Article 243G is enabling, so devolution is left to State legislatures and varies widely.
- Gaps in plan uploads persist: 5,638 of 6,792 block plans were uploaded for 2025-26.
Way forward
- States should devolve functions, funds and functionaries together, along with capacity building.
- Use the index and eGramSwaraj data to monitor and reward progress.
Put in your answer
People's Plan Campaign: Running since 2018 as 'Sabki Yojana Sabka Vikas', it prepares evidence-based local plans with people's participation and supports Localized SDGs.
- 2018Mains GS2 · Q15Importance of Panchayat system as local government; non-grant financing sources
- 2022Mains GS2 · Q3Extent decentralisation of power changed grassroots governance landscape
- 2020Mains GS2 · Q13Critical challenges to local institutions' functionality, beyond functions, functionaries, funds
- 2012Prelims Q4Which provisions NGT Act follows; includes Article 243(A) gram sabha powers
- 2026Prelims Q57Statements on SC/ST provisions, incl. women's panchayat seat reservation
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
No practice question for this one; the card may still help an answer. Why: Constitutional base (Article 243G, Eleventh Schedule's 29 subjects) is lasting, but the news itself adds little new for a question.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.