The Uttar Pradesh government has extended the tenure of village heads across the state. CM Yogi Adityanath has approved the proposal, allowing Gram Pradhans to work as administrators for the next six months.
The new arrangement will come into effect from Tuesday (May 26). The government took this decision because the panchayat elections could not take place on time. The tenure of village heads was set to end on May 26.
Officials said the decision will help maintain the pace of development work and government schemes in villages until fresh elections are held.
Gram Pradhans Get Administrative Powers for the First Time
This is the first time the UP government has allowed Gram Pradhans themselves to act as administrators. Earlier, the government usually appointed Assistant Development Officers (ADO Panchayat) for this role after the end of a panchayat term.
The decision follows a model already used in states like Rajasthan, Madhya Pradesh and Uttarakhand. The National Panchayati Raj Gram Pradhan Association had also demanded that elected village heads should continue handling local administration until elections take place.
Uttar Pradesh has around 27,694 Gram Pradhans.
Panchayat Elections Likely After 2027 Assembly Polls
The government’s decision has also made it clear that panchayat elections in the state may now take place only after the 2027 Assembly elections.
Under normal circumstances, the elections should have been completed by now. However, delays linked to court proceedings, reservation issues and incomplete voter lists have slowed down the process. Officials believe the elections could now be delayed by nearly a year.
OBC Reservation Panel to Submit Report by November 2026
The Uttar Pradesh Government recently formed a commission to finalise OBC reservation for panchayat elections.
Retired Allahabad High Court judge Ram Avtar Singh is heading the panel. The commission also includes two retired district judges and two retired IAS officers.
The panel has been asked to submit its report within six months and is expected to do so by November 2026. After that, the government will take a final decision on OBC reservation in panchayats.
The Allahabad High Court had directed the state government to form the commission on February 4, 2025.
