21/08/2026
Accelerating Social Inclusion under DAY-NRLM: From Commitment to Action
The DAY-NRLM Resource Cell, NIRDPR-National Institute of Rural Development & Panchayati Raj, Hyderabad, in collaboration with the National Mission Management Unit (NMMU), Aajeevika - National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM), Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, organized a National Workshop on Accelerating Social Inclusion under DAY-NRLM from 17-20 August 2026.
The workshop brought together 68 participants including Officials from 24 States and UTs, representatives from NMMU, NIRDPR, National Resource Persons and Civil Society Organisations. The workshop aimed to re-centre Social Inclusion (SI) as a core priority under DAY-NRLM and support States in developing responsive, customised and actionable SI strategies.
The workshop was inaugurated by Shri Amit Shukla, IFS, the Joint Secretary, Ministry of Rural Development, who called for a shift from mobilisation-led inclusion to transformative and resilient inclusion, emphasising that meaningful inclusion must ensure access to opportunities, participation with dignity, and the ability of vulnerable communities to emerge as equal members and leaders.
Ravindra Gavali, Professor & School Head, DAY-NRLM Resource Cell, NIRDPR, emphasised the need for clear, context-specific Social Inclusion strategies that enable community institutions to become effective platforms for convergence and support.
Shri Om Prakash, National Mission Manager – SI, NMMU, MoRD; Dr. Jyoti Prakash Mohanty, Deputy Project Director, DAY-NRLM Resource Cell; and Shri K. Venkateshwar Rao, MM–IBCB & SISD, DAY-NRLM Resource Cell, highlighted the importance of shared understanding, structured learning and actionable planning to accelerate SI implementation.
The workshop explored vulnerability identification and diagnostics, customised interventions, convergence, institutional strengthening and State-specific planning, with a focus on vulnerable communities including PVTGs, elderly persons, transgender persons and persons with disabilities.
A key highlight was the day-long field exposure visit to villages in Telangana, enabling participants to engage directly with community groups and observe Social Inclusion practices on the ground.
The workshop concluded with State-specific Social Inclusion action plans, translating learning into concrete priorities and strategies for accelerating inclusion under DAY-NRLM.
The workshop was coordinated by Shri Rajeev Ranjan Singh, Mission Executive – SISD, DAY-NRLM Resource Cell, NIRDPR, with support from the NMMU, NIRDPR and technical teams.
The workshop reinforced a clear message: Social Inclusion must move beyond mobilisation and participation towards meaningful access, dignity, agency and sustainable opportunities for the most vulnerable.
Through such national learning and knowledge-sharing platforms, DAY-NRLM continues to strengthen community institutions and advance the vision of equitable, inclusive and dignified rural development.
Ministry of Panchayati Raj, Government of India
