(THE GIST OF PIB) PANCHAM

(JANUARY-2026)

Recently, the Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj launched the PANCHAM – Panchayat Assistance and Messaging Chatbot.

It is a digital tool developed in collaboration with UNICEF.
Aim: It is a flagship digital initiative aimed at empowering Panchayat Elected Representatives and Functionaries.
It is designed as a digital companion for Panchayats, providing timely and contextual guidance, simplified workflows, and easy access to information to support day-to-day governance and service delivery functions.

Direct Connect: It enables, for the first time, a direct digital connect between the Government of India and Elected Representatives and Panchayat Functionaries across the country.
Language Support: It is integrated with BHASHINI and will support 22 Indian languages, enabling Panchayat representatives to interact with the platform in their preferred local language.
Citizen Access: Citizens would be able to access PANCHAM through a QR-code-based entry mechanism.
It will facilitate quicker decision-making, faster resolution of field-level issues, and stronger feedback loops between the grassroots and decision-making centers.
Two way communications: PANCHAM facilitates two way communication and officials can send feedback, ask questions, and flag local problems directly to the ministry.
Information Dissemination: The Ministry would be able to directly disseminate circulars, advisories, key messages, and updates to Panchayat Elected Representatives and Functionaries.