The guiding principles are:
- Antyodaya: Prioritising service and uplift of the poor, marginalised, and downtrodden.
- Inclusion: Empowering vulnerable and marginalised sections, redressing identity-based inequalities.
- Village: Integrating villages into the development process, drawing on ethos, culture, and sustenance.
- Demographic dividend: Harnessing India’s greatest asset (people) through education, skilling, and empowerment.
- People’s Participation: Transforming development into a people-driven process, fostering an awakened and participative citizenry.
- Governance: Nurturing an open, transparent, accountable, pro-active, and purposeful style, shifting focus from Outlay to Output to Outcome.
- Sustainability: Maintaining sustainability at the core of planning, building on ancient tradition of respect for the environment.