Devolution Index

Devolution Index Latest News

The Ministry of Panchayati Raj will release the comprehensive Devolution Index Report on 13th February, 2025, at Indian Institute of Public Administration (IIPA), New Delhi. 

About Devolution Index

• It is a result of meticulous research and empirical analysis, provides insights into the progress of decentralization across States and Union Territories.
• The Index evaluates six critical dimensions: Framework, Functions, Finances, Functionaries, Capacity Building, and Accountability of the Panchayats. 
• The Index specifically examines how ‘free’ Panchayats are to make and implement independent decisions, reflecting the true spirit of Article 243G of the Constitution.
  • This article empowers State legislatures to devolve powers and responsibilities to Panchayats across 29 subjects listed in the Eleventh Schedule.
• The Devolution Index serves as a tool for strengthening cooperative federalism and local self-governance, enabling States to identify areas for improvement and adopt best practices for more empowered and effective Panchayats.
• What sets this Devolution Index apart is its practical utility for multiple stakeholders.
  • For citizens, it provides transparency in tracking Panchayat functioning and resource allocation.
  • For elected representatives, it offers data-driven insights for advocacy and reform.
  • For government officials, it serves as a roadmap for implementing effective decentralization policies. Policymakers can use the Devolution Index to assess the overall health of local governance and identify where reforms are most urgently needed.
• Significance: The initiative aligns with the vision of Viksit Bharat, where Panchayats serve as the foundation for rural transformation, driving inclusive growth and sustainable development at the grassroots level.

Devolution Index FAQs

Q1: What is the devolution of powers?

Ans: Devolution is the statutory delegation of powers from the central government of a sovereign state to govern at a subnational level, such as a regional or local level. It is a form of administrative decentralization.

Q2: What is the index of the panchayat?

Ans: The Panchayat Development Index takes into account various socio-economic indicators and parameters to gauge the well-being and development status of the local communities within the jurisdiction of a panchayat

Q3: What is the e-gram swaraj portal?

Ans: eGramSwaraj aims to bring in better transparency and strengthen the e-Governance in Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) across the country through decentralized Profiling, Planning, Physical Progress, Reporting and Work-Based Accounting.

Source: PIB