Strengthens local governance systems by enabling citizens, Panchayats, and state institutions to make decisions rooted in data.
Strong local institutions are the backbone of a functional Democracy.
Our mission is to build resilient, inclusive, and future-ready rural economies that uphold dignity, sustainability, and shared prosperity for both people and the planet.
Strengthening Institutions for Inclusive Development
Building an India of Informed, Empowered & Responsible Citizens
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Democracy becomes stronger when citizens understand how public systems work and how their participation shapes governance. RACLD’s Democracy Desk is our monthly publication dedicated to making these democratic processes clearer, more accessible, and grounded in real evidence from the field.
Each edition brings together RACLD’s philosophies, concepts, research insights, and on-ground learnings to explain what Deepening Democracy truly means in practice. From the principles of accountable governance to the realities of decentralisation and the power of reliable data, the newsletter explores how democratic systems function—and how they can function better.
Designed for citizens, students, practitioners, and decision-makers, RACLD’s Democracy Desk offers:
By bringing research, field experience, and democratic philosophy together, the newsletter aims to bridge the gap between people and public systems.
It serves as a monthly resource for those who want to understand governance more deeply and contribute to building a transparent, responsive, and accountable democracy.
At RACLD, we believe that democracy is a continuous practice—and knowledge is the foundation of that practice. RACLD’s Democracy Desk is our effort to strengthen that foundation, month after month.
| SNo | Districts | Available Number of Panchayat | Total No of Panchayats | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ARIYALUR | 61 | 201 | 30.35 |
| 2 | CHENGALPATTU | 86 | 359 | 23.96 |
| 3 | COIMBATORE | 83 | 228 | 36.40 |
| 4 | CUDDALORE | 140 | 683 | 20.50 |
| 5 | DHARMAPURI | 137 | 251 | 54.58 |
| 6 | DINDIGUL | 143 | 306 | 46.73 |
| 7 | ERODE | 137 | 225 | 60.89 |
| 8 | KALLAKURICHI | 89 | 412 | 21.60 |
| 9 | KANCHIPURAM | 54 | 274 | 19.71 |
| 10 | KANNIYAKUMARI | 41 | 95 | 43.16 |
| 11 | KARUR | 83 | 157 | 52.87 |
| 12 | KRISHNAGIRI | 156 | 352 | 44.32 |
| 13 | MADURAI | 120 | 420 | 28.57 |
| 14 | NAGAPATTINAM | 109 | 434 | 25.12 |
| 15 | NAMAKKAL | 120 | 322 | 37.27 |
| 16 | PERAMBALUR | 54 | 121 | 44.63 |
| 17 | PUDUKKOTTAI | 150 | 497 | 30.18 |
| 18 | RAMANATHAPURAM | 88 | 429 | 20.51 |
| 19 | RANIPET | 52 | 303 | 17.16 |
| 20 | SALEM | 168 | 343 | 48.98 |
| 21 | SIVAGANGA | 132 | 445 | 29.66 |
| 22 | TENKASI | 71 | 221 | 32.13 |
| 23 | THANJAVUR | 193 | 589 | 32.77 |
| 24 | THE NILGIRIS | 23 | 35 | 65.71 |
| 25 | THENI | 68 | 130 | 52.31 |
| 26 | THIRUVALLUR | 95 | 526 | 18.06 |
| 27 | THIRUVARUR | 122 | 430 | 28.37 |
| 28 | TIRUCHIRAPPALLI | 139 | 404 | 34.41 |
| 29 | TIRUNELVELI | 61 | 204 | 29.90 |
| 30 | TIRUPATHUR | 63 | 208 | 30.29 |
| 31 | TIRUPPUR | 116 | 265 | 43.77 |
| 32 | TIRUVANNAMALAI | 165 | 860 | 19.19 |
| 33 | TUTICORIN | 98 | 403 | 24.32 |
| 34 | VELLORE | 103 | 252 | 40.87 |
| 35 | VILLUPURAM | 134 | 693 | 19.34 |
| 36 | VIRUDHUNAGAR | 118 | 450 | 26.22 |
| TOTAL | 3772 | 12527 | 30.11 |