**Executive Summary**
The Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan (RGVS) 2026 concluded on 29 June 2026, serving as a national platform to review rural development programs and accelerate the "Viksit Gram, Viksit Bharat" vision. The event focused on the implementation of the VB-GRAMG Act, 2025, and launched the 'SARAS Shakti' initiatives to boost women-led enterprises. A critical roadmap was established to create 6 crore 'Lakhpati Didis' by 2029 through digital interventions and strengthened market linkages.
**Key Points / Main Content**
**Program Reviews and Legislative Focus**
* Prioritized the effective implementation of the VB-GRAMG Act, 2025.
* Conducted a comprehensive review of flagship schemes: PMAY-Gramin, PM Gram Sadak Yojana, DAY-NRLM, and the National Social Assistance Programme.
* Emphasized strengthening Gram Panchayats and promoting climate-resilient livelihoods.
**Women’s Empowerment and 'Lakhpati Didi' Initiative**
* Established a target to create 6 crore 'Lakhpati Didis' by 2029.
* Focused on enterprise financing, digital innovation, and branding under the DAY-NRLM mission, which currently supports over 10 crore SHG members.
* Highlighted innovative State models for potential replication across India to expand women-led livelihoods.
**Market Expansion and ‘SARAS Shakti’ Launch**
* Launched the 'SARAS Shakti' Collection and Coffee Table Book to position rural SHG products in premium and institutional markets.
* Recognized the growth of the Saras Aajeevika ecosystem, which now encompasses 25+ state brands and generates over ₹200 crore in annual business.
* Showcased regional artistry—including Phulkari, Pashmina, and Ikat textiles—to demonstrate the market potential of high-quality rural handicrafts.
**Impact Analysis**
**Women Entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs)**
**Impact**
They benefit from increased national visibility, enhanced branding via the ‘SARAS Shakti’ label, and improved access to premium markets.
**Action Required**
Utilize digital interventions and enterprise financing to scale up businesses and achieve 'Lakhpati Didi' status.
**State and Union Territory Governments (SRLMs)**
**Impact**
They are tasked with deeper collaboration with the Centre to translate national development goals into inclusive rural growth.
**Action Required**
Implement the VB-GRAMG Act, 2025, and adopt successful innovative models from other states to accelerate rural transformation.
**Gram Panchayats**
**Impact**
Local governance bodies are empowered as central figures in rural development planning and community-led growth.
**Action Required**
Strengthen rural development planning and oversee the implementation of technology-driven governance at the village level.
Key Entities Referenced
VB-GRAMG Act, 2025: A primary legislative focus of the Sammelan, centered on effective implementation to drive rural transformation and governance.
Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan (RGVS) 2026: A two-day national conclave organized by the Ministry of Rural Development to review flagship programs and establish a roadmap for 'Viksit Bharat'.
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM): The flagship mission supporting over 10 crore women in Self-Help Groups, focusing on enterprise financing, digital innovation, and market access.
SARAS Shakti: An initiative and brand collection launched to boost rural women-led enterprises by showcasing the quality and market potential of SHG products.
Lakhpati Didi: A strategic initiative aimed at scaling rural women's livelihoods, with a target to create 6 crore high-earning women entrepreneurs by 2029.
Ministry of Rural Development
Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan 2026 Charts
the Roadmap for Viksit Bharat; Launches
‘SARAS Shakti’ Collection to Boost Rural
Women-Led Enterprises
‘SARAS Shakti’ Coffee Table Book Launched to Showcase
the Diversity, Quality and Market Potential of Women SHG
Products
Posted On: 30 JUN 2026 11:44AM by PIB Delhi
The Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan (RGVS) 2026, organised by the Ministry of Rural
Development and aligned with Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi’s vision of rural
transformation, concluded on 29 June 2026 with a shared commitment to accelerate the vision
of Viksit Gram, Viksit Bharat through stronger Centre-State collaboration, community-led
development, and technology-driven governance. The two-day national conclave served as a
platform to review the implementation of flagship rural development programmes, exchange
best practices across States and Union Territories, and deliberate on the roadmap for the next
phase of rural transformation.
The Sammelan was inaugurated by the Hon'ble Union Minister for Rural Development and
Agriculture & Farmers' Welfare, Shri Shivraj Singh Chouhan, in the presence of Union Minister
of State for Rural Development and Communications, Dr. Chandra Sekhar Pemmasani, and
Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Kamlesh Paswan. Over the two days, the event
brought together Rural Development Ministers from States and Union Territories, senior
officials, experts from the Central and State Governments, representatives of State Rural
Livelihood Missions (SRLMs), and development partners.
A primary focus of the Sammelan was the effective implementation of the VB-GRAMG Act,
2025. The platform also hosted a comprehensive review of major rural development initiatives,
including the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana–Gramin, Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana,
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM), Rural Skill
Development Programmes, and the National Social Assistance Programme.
Deliberations centered on strengthening rural development planning, empowering Gram
Panchayats, expanding women-led livelihoods, enhancing rural housing and connectivity, and
promoting climate-resilient livelihoods. Discussions also mapped out digital interventions to
accelerate progress toward creating 6 crore Lakhpati Didis by 2029. Innovative models from
various States were highlighted for potential wider replication across the country.The mission currently supports over 10 crore women organized into Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
To strengthen women-led enterprises, the dialogue focused on enterprise financing, digital
innovation, branding, and market access under DAY-NRLM.
The Sammelan highlighted the growing scale of Saras Aajeevika, the national marketing
initiative of DAY-NRLM. Since the first Saras Mela in 1999, the initiative has evolved into a
nationwide marketing ecosystem encompassing more than 25 State brands and generating
over ₹200 crore in annual mela business.
As part of the event, the Ministry launched the SARAS Shakti Collection and unveiled the
SARAS Shakti Coffee Table Book to strengthen the brand's national identity. The SARAS Shakti
Collection features a curated showcase of premium products created by women SHGs
nationwide, while the Coffee Table Book documents the diversity, quality, and market presence
of these enterprises. Both initiatives reinforce the Ministry's efforts to expand market access
and position rural products in premium institutional and wider consumer markets.
Rural Development Ministers and delegates from States including Gujarat, Odisha, West
Bengal, Meghalaya, Bihar, Kerala, and Telangana, among other States and Union Territories,
visited the Saras Aajeevika Gallery. The gallery showcased a curated collection of handlooms,
textiles, home décor, wellness products, and traditional foods. It featured regional artistry
including Phulkari from Punjab, Pashmina from Jammu & Kashmir, Ikat and Telia textiles from
Telangana, and Paunchei from Mizoram, alongside intricate handicrafts such as Meenakari,
Dokra, brasswork, and woodcraft. The gallery also featured Lakhpati Didis representing
successful rural enterprises, demonstrating how systematic branding, product development,
and market linkages enable women entrepreneurs to build sustainable businesses.
The Rashtriya Gramin Vikas Sammelan reaffirmed the Ministry's commitment to building
community institutions, expanding sustainable livelihoods, and creating wider market
opportunities. The deliberations underscored the importance of collaborative action between
the Centre and States in translating development goals into inclusive, self-reliant rural economic
growth.****
RC/PU/MK
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