National Rural Development Conference 2026

• The National Rural Development Conference (NRDC) 2026 was organized in New Delhi with the aim of accelerating the sustainable and inclusive development of rural India.

• This two-day conference concluded on June 29, 2026. Organized by the Ministry of Rural Development, the event was presided over by the Union Minister for Rural Development, Shivraj Singh Chouhan.

• Rural development ministers, senior administrative officials, and policymakers from 29 states and Union Territories participated in the conference. 

• Deliberations focused on reviewing the progress of rural development schemes, exchanging state experiences, and discussing future development strategies.

• During the conference, the 'SARAS Shakti Collection' and a special coffee table book were launched to promote products made by women's Self-Help Groups (SHGs) at the national level.

• SHGs strengthen the economic self-reliance of rural women by providing access to savings, credit, skill training, and self-employment opportunities.

• In this context, special emphasis was also placed on the government's 'Lakhpati Didi' initiative, which aims to enable rural women to earn an annual income of at least one lakh rupees through various livelihood activities, entrepreneurship development, and financial assistance.

• This initiative is considered a significant step towards the economic empowerment of rural women and the advancement of the goal of an 'Atmanirbhar Bharat' (Self-Reliant India).