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Panchayati Raj Institutions: Issues and Challenges

[pib] Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) Initiative

Prelims Only | Polity | Mains Paper 2:

Why in the News?

The cc, in collaboration with the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, has launched the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS) in New Delhi.

About the Model Youth Gram Sabha (MYGS):

  • Overview: Introduced on 30 October 2025 as a joint initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Ministry of Education (Department of School Education and Literacy), and Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
  • Objective: Aims to promote public participation and youth engagement in grassroots democracy through simulated Gram Sabha sessions in schools.
  • Educational Integration: Designed under the National Education Policy, 2020, combining civic education with local self-governance to instil values of democracy, accountability, transparency, and leadership.
  • Implementation Scale: To be rolled out across 1,000+ schools, including Jawahar Navodaya Vidyalayas (JNVs), Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRSs), and State Government Schools.

Back2Basics: Gram Sabha

  • Overview: The Gram Sabha, under Article 243(b) of the Constitution, is the basic unit of direct democracy in the Panchayati Raj system.
  • Composition: Comprises all village residents aged 18 or above whose names appear on the electoral rolls.
  • Function: Central to village development planning, social audits, and Gram Panchayat accountability.
  • Meetings: Convened 2–4 times annually under State Panchayati Raj Acts, commonly on 26 January, 1 May, 15 August, and 2 October.
  • Authority: Organised by the Panchayat Secretary (Gram Sevak) with approval of the Sarpanch (village head).
  • Quorum Rule: Requires participation of 10% of total members or at least 50 villagers, notified five days in advance.
  • Decision-Making: Approves budgets, welfare schemes, beneficiary lists, and development priorities; no major Panchayat action is valid without its consent.
  • Purpose: Ensures public participation, transparency, and self-governance (Swaraj) through collective village-level decision-making.
  • Democratic Essence: Serves as the cornerstone of rural democracy, empowering citizens to shape governance and development outcomes directly.

 

[UPSC 2017] Local self-government can be best explained as an exercise in:

Options: (a) Federalism (b) Democratic decentralisation * (c) Administrative delegation (d) Direct democracy

 

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