Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojna (PM-AJAY)

Overview

• Target Demographic – Addresses disparities faced by Scheduled Castes (SCs), who constitute 16.6% of India's population, ensuring social justice, equal opportunity, and inclusive growth.
• Launch and Funding – Launched in FY 2021-22 as a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• Merger Scheme – Consolidates three erstwhile Centrally Sponsored Schemes –
• Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY)
• Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP)
• Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY)

Primary Objectives

• Poverty Reduction and Skill Development – Generates employment opportunities through income-generating schemes and vocational skilling.
• Infrastructure Improvement – Enhances socio-economic indicators by developing critical infrastructure and essential services in SC-dominated areas.
• Education and Literacy – Promotes school and higher education enrolment by constructing and maintaining quality residential hostel facilities.

Eligibility Criteria

• Grants-in-Aid (GIA) – Priority for individuals/families with an annual income ≤ Rs. 2.50 lakh per annum, as well as members of SC-majority groups.
• Infrastructure Development – Villages with ≥ 40% SC population and a total population of 500 or more.

Implementation and Achievements across Core Components

Development of SC-Dominated Villages into “Adarsh Gram”

• Scope and Reach – Covered 47,243 villages, benefiting over 47.79 lakh citizens.
• Project Progress – Completed 46,944 development works and prepared 27,032 Village Development Plans (VDPs).
• Milestone – 18,093 villages officially declared as Adarsh Grams.

Grants-in-Aid for Socio-Economic Projects

• Financial Outlay – Over Rs. 1,730 crore released directly to States/UTs from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26.
• Impact – Extended skilling and livelihood support to more than 2.5 lakh individual and group beneficiaries.

Construction and Repair of Student Hostels

• Objective – Supports SC students from rural/remote regions in pursuing quality education.
• Completed Infrastructure – 785 student hostels completed as of September 2026.
• FY 2026-27 Allocation – Central assistance of Rs. 61.46 crore allocated for two new hostel projects (one boys', one girls') accommodating 264 students.

Funding Allocation Framework

• Maintenance and Upkeep – Managed directly by State Governments and local implementing agencies.

Digital Monitoring Framework

• PM-AJAY Portal and Mobile App – Shifts implementation to an end-to-end, paperless, real-time digital workflow.
• Governance Impact – Enhances field-level monitoring, tracking accuracy, transparency, and administrative accountability.

Reference

PIB