PRAGATI 52: Strengthening Digital Governance And Infrastructure Delivery

Policy Update

Simona Miriam Hughes

Background:

The Pro-Active Governance and Timely Implementation (PRAGATI) platform is an Information and Communication Technology (ICT) enabled governance initiative launched by the Government of India under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi in March 2015. PRAGATI facilitates direct interaction between the Prime Minister, Union Government Ministries and State Governments to monitor major infrastructure projects, flagship government programmes and public grievance redressal. The platform seeks to enhance transparency, accountability and timely implementation of public policies while simultaneously strengthening federalism, all by integrating various levels of governance through real time communication and data sharing.

The 52nd PRAGATI meeting was chaired by the Prime Minister on 24 June 2026, reaffirming the government’s emphasis on technology driven governance and effective policy implementation. The meeting reviewed major infrastructure projects across multiple states, assessed progress under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and examined the growing challenge of cybercrime and digital financial fraud. The discussions reflected the government’s evolving approach of using digital platforms not only for monitoring infrastructure but also for addressing broader governance priorities such as public health, cybersecurity and integrated planning. The meeting further underscored the importance of intergovernmental coordination and evidence based decision making in ensuring efficient delivery of public services.

Functioning:

PRAGATI operates as a digital governance platform that enables real-time interaction between the Prime Minister, Secretaries of Central Ministries and Chief Secretaries of State Governments through video conferencing and an integrated online monitoring system. Prior to each meeting, ministries and state governments upload comprehensive information regarding project progress, financial status, implementation bottlenecks, pending approval and grievance redressal onto the platform, allowing the Prime Minister to directly review ongoing projects, identify administrative challenges and issue immediate directions for their resolutions. This further helps in reducing delays and also strengthens accountability across departments.

During the 52nd PRAGATI meeting, the Prime Minister reviewed four major infrastructure projects, their value reaching up to almost 30,000 crore across four states. These projects covered sectors such as roads, power, industrial corridors and metro rail. The reviews focused on issues such as land acquisition, environmental clearances, project timelines and inter-agency coordination. The Prime Minister stressed that delays in project execution increase costs and postpone developmental benefits for citizens and industries, directing all concerned ministries and state governments to resolve pending issues through coordinated action.

The meeting also expanded its focus beyond infrastructure by reviewing progress under the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and the government’s response to cybercrime. The Prime Minister encouraged greater use of Artificial Intelligence and digital technologies to include tuberculosis surveillance, patient tracking and awareness campaigns involving organisations such as MY Bharat and the National Cadet Corps (NCC). Concerns regarding digital arrest scams and online financial frauds were also discussed, leading to directions for improved coordination among law enforcement agencies, financial institutions and digital platforms along with wider implementation of the e-Zero FIR Mechanism to strengthen cybercrime prevention and grievance redressal.

Performance:

The PRAGATI meetings act as an effective governance mechanism for monitoring the implementation of nationally significant projects and programmes. The review of projects worth nearly 30,000 crore illustrates the government’s sustained commitment to ensure timely completion of strategic investments while simultaneously addressing long-standing administrative bottlenecks. Since its launch in 2015, PRAGATI has reviewed 382 major projects worth more than ₹85 lakh crore and resolved 2,958 out of 3,187 implementation issues, substantially reducing project delays, cost overruns, and repetitive administrative bottlenecks through coordinated decision-making between the Centre and States.

The 52nd meeting also highlighted the broadening scope of PRAGATI from infrastructure monitoring to comprehensive governance oversight. PRAGATI expanded beyond infrastructure because many national priorities, such as TB elimination and cybercrime prevention, require strong coordination between the Centre and States, similar to large infrastructure projects. Rather than changing its mandate, PRAGATI evolved into a broader governance platform that monitors the timely implementation of key national programmes across multiple sectors.

The inclusion of flagship programmes such as the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and discussions on cybercrime prevention reflects the platform’s increasing importance in supervising diverse policy areas. Furthermore, the emphasis on integrating PM GatiShakti into infrastructure planning demonstrates the government’s commitment to digital governance, data-driven administration, and institutional coordination. Collectively, these developments reinforce PRAGATI’s contribution towards improving administrative efficiency, accountability, and effective policy implementation across sectors.

Impact:

The decisions taken during the 52nd PRAGATI meeting are expected to strengthen infrastructure development, public service delivery, healthcare administration and digital governance in India. Regular monitoring of major infrastructure projects is expected to reduce implementation delays, minimise cost overruns and mainly ensure that completed projects generate timely economic and social benefits for citizens.

The meeting’s emphasis on Artificial Intelligence in the TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan has the potential to improve disease surveillance, patient management, and treatment outcomes while accelerating India’s efforts to eliminate tuberculosis. Similarly, stronger institutional coordination in tackling cybercrime, coupled with the implementation of e-Zero FIR and enhanced public awareness campaigns, is expected to improve the security of India’s digital ecosystem. Together, these initiatives demonstrate how PRAGATI has evolved into a comprehensive governance platform that supports efficient policy implementation while promoting transparency, technological innovation, and citizen-centric administration.

The initiatives are expected to strengthen infrastructure development, supported by PRAGATI’s track record of reviewing 382 major projects worth over ₹85 lakh crore and resolving approximately 93% of identified implementation issues, reflecting its effectiveness in expediting project execution.

Emerging Issues:

Despite its success, PRAGATI continues to face several implementation challenges in its long-term effectiveness. Delays in updating project information on digital platforms often reduce the accuracy of real-time monitoring and limit the effectiveness of evidence-based decision-making. Variations in administrative capacity across states also influence the quality of project execution and the utilisation of digital governance tools such as PM GatiShakti. Additionally, persistent issues relating to land acquisition, environmental clearances, and inter-departmental coordination continue to delay several infrastructure projects despite regular review mechanisms.

One such example can be the Delhi–Meerut Regional Rapid Transit System (RRTS), which faced challenges related to land acquisition and coordination among multiple agencies, was reviewed under PRAGATI to expedite implementation. Overall, the platform has reviewed 382 major projects worth over ₹85 lakh crore and resolved around 93% of identified implementation issues, demonstrating its effectiveness in accelerating project execution and improving governance.

The meeting also highlighted emerging challenges in public health and cyber governance. Although Artificial Intelligence offers significant opportunities for improving tuberculosis elimination efforts, unequal technological preparedness among states may hinder its effective adoption. Likewise, the increasing sophistication of cyber fraud and digital arrest scams requires continuous strengthening of cybersecurity infrastructure, faster grievance redressal mechanisms, improved coordination among enforcement agencies, and greater public awareness. Addressing these issues will be essential to ensure that PRAGATI continues to achieve its objective of delivering efficient, transparent, and accountable governance.

Way Forward:

The effectiveness of PRAGATI can be further enhanced by strengthening digital governance systems, improving institutional coordination, and promoting greater use of technology in public administration. The Ministry of Commerce and Industry, through the PM GatiShakti National Master Plan, should require all participating ministries and state governments to update project data on the PM GatiShakti portal on at least a monthly basis, with compliance reviewed during subsequent PRAGATI meetings. The Capacity Building Commission and the Department of Administrative Reforms and Public Grievances (DARPG) should also expand training programmes for state and district officials on digital planning tools and integrated governance platforms to reduce implementation disparities across regions.

Going forward, the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) should prioritise the integration of Artificial Intelligence-based analytics into major flagship programmes to enable predictive monitoring of project delays and evidence-based decision-making. Simultaneously, the MHA should work with all State Governments to ensure the nationwide operationalisation of the e-Zero FIR mechanism and strengthen cybersecurity infrastructure through regular capacity-building and public awareness campaigns.

Establishing measurable indicators—such as increasing the resolution rate of implementation issues beyond the current level of around 93% and reducing the average time taken to resolve project bottlenecks—would further enhance accountability. These targeted measures would reinforce PRAGATI’s role as a key instrument for accelerating infrastructure development, improving public service delivery, and advancing India’s vision of transparent, efficient, and citizen-centric governance.

Selected References and Important Links:

Press Information Bureau. (2026, January 13). PRAGATI: A decade of cooperative, outcome-driven governance. Government of India.

Press Information Bureau. (2026, June 24). PM chairs 52nd PRAGATI meeting. Government of India. https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2277582&reg=3&lang=1

Prime Minister’s Office. (2026, June 24). PM chairs 52nd PRAGATI meeting. Government of India. https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/news_updates/pm-chairs-52nd-pragati-meeting/

Prime Minister’s Office. (n.d.). PRAGATI. Government of India. https://www.pmindia.gov.in/en/tag/pragati/

PM GatiShakti National Master Plan. (n.d.). National Master Plan for Multi-Modal Connectivity. Government of India. https://pmgatishakti.gov.in/

Government of India. (2021). PM GatiShakti National Master Plan. https://pmgatishakti.gov.in/

Akashvani News. (2026, June 25). PM Modi reviews infrastructure projects, TB Mukt Bharat Abhiyan and cyber fraud cases at PRAGATI meeting. https://newsonair.gov.in/pm-narendra-modi-chairs-52nd-pragati-meeting/

Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. (2025). National Tuberculosis Elimination Programme (NTEP). Government of India. https://tbcindia.gov.in/

Indian Cyber Crime Coordination Centre (I4C). (n.d.). National Cyber Crime Reporting Portal. Ministry of Home Affairs, Government of India. https://cybercrime.gov.in/

Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. (2025). Twenty-First Report on Infrastructure Projects. Government of India. https://mospi.gov.in/

About the Contributor:

Simona Miriam Hughes is a research and editorial associate intern at IMPRI. She is currently pursuing her Master’s degree in International Relations at Loyola College and has worked in several Non Governmental Organisations during her Undergraduate years. She has attended the 2025 Global Citizenship programme which is associated with the Washington DC university

Acknowledgement:

The author would like to thank IMPRI and the reviewers for their valuable feedback and continuous support and encouragement in all the activities up until now