New Delhi/ Bhopal June 28, 2026

The country's first National Rural Development Conference got underway in the national capital on Sunday, bringing together Rural Development Ministers, senior officials, policymakers and experts from across states and Union Territories to prepare a common roadmap for transforming India's villages under the vision of 'Viksit Gram, Viksit Bharat'.

The two-day conference, being chaired by Union Agriculture and Farmers' Welfare and Rural Development Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan at the Bharat Ratna C. Subramaniam Auditorium in Pusa, is expected to review the implementation of major rural development programmes while identifying priorities for the next phase of policy and execution.

The conference marks the first large-scale national platform dedicated exclusively to rural development, where the Centre and states are jointly discussing ways to improve planning, strengthen coordination and share successful models that can be replicated across the country. The deliberations are aligned with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's vision of achieving a developed India by 2047 through stronger and more self-reliant villages.

Addressing the gathering, Chouhan said the objective is to convert the vision of "Viksit Gram, Viksit Bharat" into practical action by improving planning at the Gram Panchayat level, ensuring better utilisation of resources and strengthening implementation at the grassroots. He stressed that rural development requires a coordinated approach in which both the Centre and the states work with a shared purpose.

Over the two days, participants will review the progress of flagship schemes, including the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana, Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana-National Rural Livelihoods Mission, rural skill development programmes and the National Social Assistance Programme. Discussions are also expected on strengthening village planning under the VB-GRAMG Act, 2025.

A series of thematic sessions will focus on rural housing, road connectivity, livelihoods, social security, skill development and women's economic empowerment. Particular attention will be given to the Lakhpati Didi initiative, with discussions centred on expanding Self-Help Groups, promoting rural entrepreneurship and creating better livelihood opportunities for women and rural youth.

Technology is another major focus area of the conference. Delegates will deliberate on the use of digital platforms, Artificial Intelligence and real-time monitoring systems to improve transparency, accountability and the delivery of government programmes in rural areas.

The conference will also showcase innovative practices adopted by different states, allowing governments to exchange ideas and identify models that can be adapted to local conditions. Officials believe such knowledge sharing could help improve programme implementation across the country.

On Monday, the concluding day, the conference will hold ministerial and plenary sessions to gather recommendations from participating states before finalising a future action plan. Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan is expected to present the key outcomes of the deliberations and outline the next steps for accelerating rural development. The event will also see the release of several publications on water security, Gram Development Plans, rural livelihoods, women's empowerment and successful grassroots initiatives that are intended to serve as practical reference material for states and Gram Panchayats.