Marking a historic moment in India’s digital governance journey, Gram Panchayats have been awarded for the first time under a dedicated category at the National Awards for e-Governance (NAeG) 2025. The awards were presented during the 28th National Conference on e-Governance held on 22nd September 2025 in Visakhapatnam, Andhra Pradesh, by Dr. Jitendra Singh, Minister of State in the PMO. The ceremony, themed “Viksit Bharat: Civil Service and Digital Transformation”, celebrated grassroots digital innovation in governance. With over 1.45 lakh entries evaluated in a multi-tier process, the winning Gram Panchayats stand out as beacons of digital transformation, transparency, and citizen-centric governance at the village level.
Award-Winning Gram Panchayats and Their Innovations
Gold Award: Rohini Gram Panchayat, Maharashtra
- Became Maharashtra’s first fully paperless e-Office Gram Panchayat.
- Offers 1,027 online services including birth certificates, permits, and welfare schemes.
- Achieved 100% digital literacy across households.
- Operates a real-time grievance redressal system and bulk SMS outreach, ensuring every household stays connected with governance decisions.
Silver Award: West Majlishpur Gram Panchayat, Tripura
- Developed as a Citizen Charter-driven Panchayat.
- Provides digital services for birth/death/marriage registrations, MGNREGS job cards, trade licenses, and property records.
- All applications and service requests are digitally tracked, ensuring timeliness and transparency.
Jury Award: Palsana Gram Panchayat, Gujarat
- Integrated portals like Digital Gujarat and Gram Suvidha.
- Enabled QR/UPI-based property tax payments, along with online grievance redressal.
- Over 10,000 citizens avail digital services annually.
- Sets an example for ease of living through tech-enabled local governance.
Jury Award: Suakati Gram Panchayat, Odisha
- Uses OdishaOne and Seva Odisha platforms for 24/7 access to essential services.
- Emphasizes real-time tracking of service delivery and prioritizes women’s leadership in Panchayat governance.
- Demonstrates how digital access strengthens inclusive governance at the last mile.
- Each awarded Panchayat received a trophy, certificate, and financial grant—₹10 lakh for Gold and ₹5 lakh for Silver—to reinvest in citizen-focused innovations.
A New Era of Digital Governance at the Village Level
This first-of-its-kind recognition by the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) in collaboration with the Ministry of Panchayati Raj (MoPR) signifies a strategic shift: governance reforms are no longer confined to top-level bureaucracy but are now embedded at the grassroots.
The success stories reflect,
- Digital Inclusivity: Making government services accessible even in remote villages.
- Transparency and Accountability: Real-time monitoring, paperless operations, and digital charters build public trust.
- Ease of Living: Citizens no longer need to travel or wait for basic services; most are now available online or via mobile.
- Women Empowerment: With women-led initiatives in several Panchayats, governance is becoming more inclusive.
Static Facts
- NAeG: The National Awards for e-Governance are awarded annually by DARPG to recognize excellence in e-governance.
- 2025 is the first year with a category dedicated to Gram Panchayats and grassroots digital innovation.
- Over 1.45 lakh entries were evaluated for NAeG 2025.
- Sarpanch is the elected head of a Gram Panchayat.
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