What is PANCHAM Chatbot?

PANCHAM: the Union Minister of State for Panchayati Raj launched PANCHAM – Panchayat Assistance & Messaging Chatbot on 25th January 2026, on the eve of Republic Day, as a flagship digital initiative aimed at empowering Panchayat Elected Representatives and Functionaries in collaboration with UNICEF. 

Key Objectives of PANCHAM:

• PANCHAM – Panchayat Assistance & Messaging Chatbot as a flagship digital initiative aimed at empowering Panchayat Elected Representatives and Functionaries. 

• It aims to reduce procedural complexity, minimize dependency on intermediaries, and enhance institutional confidence at the Panchayat level.

• 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. 

• For the first time, a direct digital connection between the Government of India and over 30 lakh Elected Representatives and Panchayat Functionaries across the country by establishing two-way communication channels.

• It will facilitate quicker decision-making, faster resolution of field-level issues, and stronger feedback loops between the grassroots and decision-making centers, thereby strengthening responsive and accountable governance. 

• PANCHAM is part of the Ministry’s broader efforts to deepen digital governance at the grassroots, integrating decision-support with existing digital platforms.

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What kind of services will PANCHAM provide? 

For the Panchayat Functionaries and Elected Representative, PANCHAM would functions as a digital companion for Panchayats, providing  

• Direct Communication: Broadcast updates, circulars, letters, guidelines, and directives directly to PRls through WhatsApp as clear and modular/ byte-sized messages which is easy to understand and act upon. Streamline timely communication and grassroot level delivery of information.  

• Real-Time information: A dedicated Chatbot to address FAQs and provide near real-time updates on various MoPR schemes and programs e.g., e-Governance, Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan, Finance Commission Grants etc.  

• Training and Feedback: Disseminate short training modules (30-50 seconds) on diverse topics as video links relevant to PRI officials.  

• Pre- and Post-Training Engagement: Facilitate pre-training communication to prepare PRI officials and gather their needs. Gather post-training feedback to assess effectiveness and identify areas for improvement.

• Enhanced Citizen Engagement: Citizens would be able to engage more effectively at the grassroots level through improved access to information with respect to communication related to G2C services available at the Gram Panchayat level.

PANCHAM, scheduled for launch on 25 January 2026 on the eve of Republic Day, is a flagship digital initiative of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj. It creates, for the first time, a direct and two-way digital connection between the Government of India and Panchayats, strengthening responsive, transparent, and accountable grassroots governance at scale.

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