The national study report on "Low Participation in Gram Sabha" across States and Union Territories was released in New Delhi by Dr. R. Balasubramaniam, Member, NITI Aayog. Vivek Bharadwaj, Secretary, Ministry of Panchayati Raj, along with senior officials of the Ministry and the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRD&PR), academics, researchers and various Panchayati Raj stakeholders were present. The report was prepared by NIRD&PR for the Ministry of Panchayati Raj to assess the factors affecting public participation in Gram Sabha meetings and to suggest measures to strengthen citizen engagement at the grassroots. The two-volume report analyses barriers to effective participation and presents evidence-based policy recommendations and strategic guidelines to strengthen policy frameworks and institutional systems. It provides State/UT-wise detail of factors influencing Gram Sabha participation, indicates the way forward, and highlights best practices from 10 States for enhancing participation. Dr. Balasubramaniam said the Gram Sabha is the truest expression of grassroots democracy in India, and its vibrancy determines how effectively the benefits of governance reach the last person. He noted that the challenges of strengthening Gram Sabhas go beyond low participation and lie in institutional and systemic barriers requiring targeted reforms. Secretary Vivek Bharadwaj said the study offers valuable evidence for designing targeted interventions to raise participation among women, youth and marginalised communities. Dr. Anjan Kumar Bhanja, Associate Professor, NIRD&PR, Hyderabad, presented the findings. The study is among the country's largest field-based assessments, covering about 7,800 respondents across about 400 Gram Panchayats in 26 States/UTs and 213 districts, including PESA and women-friendly Gram Panchayats.