Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan 2026: Launching New Phase for Rural Development

Key Facts

• The Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan (RGVS) 2026 was a two-day national conclave held on 28 and 29 June 2026 in New Delhi.
• Organized by the Ministry of Rural Development and chaired by Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
• Participants included Rural Development Ministers, senior officials, policymakers from 29 States and Union Territories.
• The Sammelan focused on implementation of the Viksit Bharat–Guarantee for Rozgar and Ajeevika Mission (Gramin) Act, 2025 (VB-GRAMG Act), replacing MGNREGA, and promoting the vision of 'Viksit Gram, Viksit Bharat.'
• Discussions covered rural development planning, empowerment of Gram Panchayats (local self-government units), women-led livelihoods, rural housing, connectivity, and climate-resilient livelihoods.
• The Sammelan launched the SARAS Shakti Collection—a premium gift collection of products made by women Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and a Coffee Table Book showcasing these products.
• The Lakhpati Didi initiative was highlighted, aiming to support rural women to achieve annual household incomes of at least ₹1 lakh, with plans to expand to 6 crore women by 2029 through a ₹10 lakh crore bank linkage programme over five years.
• The VB-GRAM-G scheme is scheduled for nationwide rollout from 1 July 2026 with an interim budget allocation of ₹95,682 crore for the transition period.

Background & Context

The Sammelan was a platform to review and renew efforts in rural development, aligning policy with India’s vision of a developed rural Bharat by 2047. The VB-GRAMG Act, enacted in late 2025, supersedes the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) by increasing guaranteed wage employment from 100 to 125 days per year, shifting from a central sector scheme to a centrally sponsored scheme with shared funding responsibilities between central and state governments.

Gram Panchayats remain the foundational units of rural governance, and the emphasised empowerment through decentralized planning reflects a commitment to more participatory and effective rural development. SARAS branding and market linkages for women-led SHG products aim to strengthen rural livelihoods by supporting entrepreneurship and income generation among rural women.

Why This Matters for Exams / Exam Relevance

The Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan 2026 and the VB-GRAMG Act form a critical update in India’s rural development and employment policies. Understanding these shifts is essential for exams covering governance, rural development schemes, women empowerment, and social welfare frameworks. The Sammelan’s focus on Gram Panchayat empowerment and women-led enterprises reflects current government priorities and policy directions.

The launch of SARAS Shakti Collection and expansion of the Lakhpati Didi initiative are pertinent examples of grassroots economic empowerment and social entrepreneurship, important topics for current affairs and development studies in competitive exams.

Points to Remember

• The Sammelan was held on 28-29 June 2026 in New Delhi.
• It was chaired by Union Minister for Rural Development Shivraj Singh Chouhan.
• VB-GRAMG Act, 2025 replaced MGNREGA, increasing employment guarantee to 125 days.
• SARAS Shakti Collection was launched to promote women Self-Help Groups products.
• Lakhpati Didi initiative aims to uplift rural women’s incomes with a target of 6 crore beneficiaries by 2029 supported by a ₹10 lakh crore bank linkage programme.
• VB-GRAM-G scheme rollout began 1 July 2026 with an interim budget allocation of ₹95,682 crore.