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Saturday, February 21, 2026
TopicDepartment of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj

Topic: Department of Rural Development and Panchayat Raj

Centre considers ways to use SVAMITVA data to help villages realise their solar power potential

Panchayati raj ministry's assessing 3 villages using SVAMITVA data, which prepares geo-referenced maps of villages. It's also exploring ways to monetise data for other development projects.

Five months after govt set target, more than 65% of panchayats in India are UPI-enabled

In May, Panchayati Raj ministry wrote to states to start UPI payments to ‘enhance ease of living for citizens’. But only 8 states have completed the process so far, it is learnt.

94% MGNREGS budget used in 6 months, rural ministry seeks more funds. Activists worry about less work

Activists representing workers' groups, who opposed slashing of MGNREGS budget, allege govt trying to phase out programme that guarantees minimum 100 days of paid work to rural families.

Parliament panel flags ‘disparity, non-increase’ in MGNREGS wages, calls for revision

Standing Committee on Rural Development & Panchayati Raj recommends exploring possibility of uniform MGNREGS wages across country, highlights issue of pending payments to states.

J&K sarpanchs up in arms, want re-poll as state delegates panchayat work to govt employees

Govt cites lack for quorum in 390 panchayats after 2018 polls for its decision. Sarpanchs are threatening to approach J&K High Court.

On Camera

Youth Congress, your foolish protest helped the Modi govt climb out of the AI summit hole

In tactical terms, the shirtless protest was worse than a self-goal. Suddenly, the fiascos of the AI Summit were forgotten, and the Youth Congress’s disruption became the issue.

In the West, there’s anxiety. In India, optimism—Rishi Sunak says India poised to be leader in AI

On Wednesday, the former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was speaking in New Delhi at a Carnegie & Observer Research Foundation event on AI.

MoD, IAF agree on some exemptions to HAL for Tejas Mk1A, but no compromise on ‘must-have’ capabilities

IAF is fine with accepting the aircraft with 'must-haves', even if some other steps remain pending, which may take at least another year, it is learnt.

No country is ever fully sovereign. Cold War era taught India its real meaning

India’s fraught neighbourhood places multiple constraints on its strategic choices. It leaves no time to take a deep breath, lean back and reset.