The Institutional Framework of the Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) in India has
played a key role in driving democratic decentralisation and was enshrined in the
73rd Constitutional Amendment Act of 1992. From a mere constitutional provision,
the PRI framework has evolved over more than thirty years into a complex
framework of governance through fiscal devolution, gendered representation,
digitisation, and localising sustainable development. India is envisaging its own
development towards 2047, i.e., the centenary of independence. Viksit Bharat, 2047
captures this vision of India Viksit Bharat, 2047. It is in this context that gram
panchayats lie at the confluence of participatory democracy and transformative
rural development. This paper presents a review of peer-reviewed literature,
predominantly published between 2018 and 2025. The review traces the historical
trajectory of PRIs, interrogates the ongoing structural deficits of fiscal autonomy
and capacity building, the gendered implications of grassroots governance, promise
and challenges of digital governance through e-Panchayat interface and their
potential for PRI-induced localisation of SDGs. Making use of sources from Scopus
indexed and open-access, the article concludes that PRIs have changed the nature
of democracy in rural India. It however notes that for rural democracy to become
the Viksit Bharat that we dream of, PRIs must undergo a transformation of the 3Fs:
functions, functionaries and finances as opposed to just minimal constitutional
empowerment. The corner stones of rural governance for 2047 are identified as
structure reforms, technology inclusive governance, gender responsive institutions
and inter- government fiscal equity.
Chapters in this book
- 1. Project Renaissance 2026: A Surgical Turnaround Strategy for State-Owned Heritage Retail
- 2. Behavioural Intervention Training for Agra Police – An Action Research Study
- 3. Make in India in Defence Manufacturing: Financial Impact - A Comprehensive Review
- 4. Factors Affecting the Safety Management System During Airport Masterplan Development: A Case Study on Varanasi Airport
- 5. Financial and Institutional Framework for Land Monetisation by Indian Railways Under National Monetisation Pipeline (NMP 2.0)
- 6. The Unfinished Revolution: Panchayati Raj, Rural Governance, and the Road to 2047
- 7. India in Unpol Missions: An Analysis of Leadership Representation, Motivation, and Institutional Preparedness (with Special Reference to Unmiss)
- 8. Semiconductor Manufacturing in India: Assessing Its Impact on Gross Domestic Product and Pathways to Industrial Transformation
- 9. AI-Driven Admission Systems and their Impact on Admission intake and Institutional Diversity: A Review
- 10. Impact of Influencer Marketing on Consumer Financial Product Adoption in India
- 11. Market Entry Strategy and Consumer Demand Analysis for a Startup Venture in the Premium Decorative Lighting Industry in NCR
Abstract
Keywords
Panchayati Raj Institutions; Decentralisation; Rural Governance; 73rd Constitutional Amendment; Viksit Bharat 2047; Fiscal Devolution; Digital Governance; Women Empowerment; Sustainable Development Goals; Gram Sabha
Chapter information
| Chapter title | The Unfinished Revolution: Panchayati Raj, Rural Governance, and the Road to 2047 |
|---|---|
| Author(s) | Ratul Kumar, Block Panchayat Raj Officer | Santhi Narayanan, Associate Professor Sharda University |
| Book title | Confluence of Perspectives: Essays in Leadership, Management and Society Vol.1 |
| Editor(s) | Abhinanda Bhattacharya | Dr. Ruchi Jain Garg |
| Book Doi | https://doi.org/10.67103/IRG.COP1.2026.9788168516410 |
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.67103/IRG.COP1.2026.9788168516410.6 |
| Publication date | July 17, 2026 |
| Access | Restricted access |
How to cite
Ratul Kumar, Block Panchayat Raj Officer | Santhi Narayanan, Associate Professor Sharda University. 2026. The Unfinished Revolution: Panchayati Raj, Rural Governance, and the Road to 2047. In: Abhinanda Bhattacharya | Dr. Ruchi Jain Garg (eds). Confluence of Perspectives: Essays in Leadership, Management and Society Vol.1. Book Doi https://doi.org/10.67103/IRG.COP1.2026.9788168516410. https://doi.org/10.67103/IRG.COP1.2026.9788168516410.6