Special Gram Sabhas are being held across India today, October 2, to launch the People’s Plan Campaign 2026-27, themed ‘Sabki Yojana, Sabka Vikas’. Gram Panchayats will begin preparing their development plans for 2027-28 with the help of villagers.

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj said citizens and elected representatives will discuss governance reforms, the delivery of government schemes and local development needs. Key schemes on the agenda include e-GramSwaraj, SVAMITVA, Jal Jeevan Mission, Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen), One Nation One Ration Card and water conservation.

The campaign has run since 2018. More than 2.55 lakh Gram Panchayats already prepare and upload their plans on the eGramSwaraj portal.

The meetings will also cover rural employment, digital services, women’s and children’s safety, the new criminal laws and the Solid Waste Management Rules, 2026. The ministry is coordinating the campaign with other departments under a whole-of-government approach. In Odisha, the state government has asked sarpanchs to ensure the meetings are inclusive and focused on local needs, invoking Mahatma Gandhi’s vision of Gram Swaraj.