The Ministry of Panchayati Raj is set to honour exceptional Panchayats during the Special Category National Panchayat Awards 2025 on April 24, coinciding with National Panchayati Raj Day.
The event will take place in Lohna Uttar Gram Panchayat, Madhubani, Bihar.
For the first time, the ministry is spotlighting efforts in Climate Action, Self-Reliance (Atmanirbharta), and Capacity Building aligned with Localisation of Sustainable Development Goals (LSDGs). Three distinct awards—Climate Action Special Panchayat Award (CASPA), Atma Nirbhar Panchayat Special Award (ANPSA), and Panchayat Kshamta Nirman Sarvottam Sansthan Puraskar (PKNSSP)—have been introduced to recognise these contributions.
Each award features financial incentives: ₹1 crore for Rank 1, ₹75 lakh for Rank 2, and ₹50 lakh for Rank 3, along with trophies and certificates. Notably, three of the six award-winning Panchayats are headed by women Sarpanches, emphasising the growing role of women in leadership at the grassroots level.
Highlighting Climate Action, Dawwa S Gram Panchayat, Maharashtra secured Rank 1 under CASPA, while the self-reliant Mall Gram Panchayat, Telangana achieved Rank 1 in ANPSA. Meanwhile, Kerala Institute of Local Administration (KILA), Kerala, excelled in capacity-building to win Rank 1 in PKNSSP.
This landmark occasion underscores the commitment to empowering local governance through recognition and financial support, fostering a sustainable and resilient future for rural India.