Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY)

Context

As of 8 September 2026, 18,093 villages had been declared Adarsh Grams under PM-AJAY, while about ₹1,730 crore had been released under its Grants-in-Aid component during FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26.

About the Scheme

1. PM-AJAY is a comprehensive scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment aimed at the socio-economic and educational empowerment of Scheduled Caste communities.
2. It has been implemented since FY 2021-22 after merging three earlier Centrally Sponsored Schemes: Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana, Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan, and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana.
3. The scheme seeks to reduce poverty through livelihood and skill development, improve infrastructure and basic services in SC-dominated villages, and expand access to education and residential facilities.
4. It is 100% funded by the Central Government, while States and UTs may provide additional resources from their own funds.

Major Components

1. Adarsh Gram: Develops SC-dominated villages as model villages by filling critical gaps in infrastructure and essential services.
2. Grants-in-Aid: Supports State and district-level projects involving livelihood generation, skill development, infrastructure, residential schools and assistance for productive assets.
3. Hostel Component: Supports construction and repair of hostels in eligible higher educational institutions and schools to improve access to quality education for SC students.
4. The scheme also provides support for monitoring, evaluation, digital systems and implementation capacity.

Implementation and Beneficiary Focus

1. Adarsh Gram development follows a gap-filling approach, complementing existing Central and State schemes where essential infrastructure or services remain inadequate.
2. Under the Grants-in-Aid component, priority is given to eligible SC families and individuals, particularly for livelihood and skill-development interventions.
3. For infrastructure development, eligible villages generally require around 40% or more SC population and a total population of at least 500, as prescribed under the applicable PM-AJAY framework.
4. States and UTs submit proposals through the PM-AJAY Portal, while digital monitoring supports transparency and implementation tracking.

Recent Progress

1. More than 47,200 villages have been covered under the Adarsh Gram component, benefiting over 47.79 lakh citizens.
2. 46,944 development works have been completed and 27,032 Village Development Plans prepared.
3. More than 2.5 lakh individual and group beneficiaries have received skilling and livelihood support under the Grants-in-Aid component.
4. As of September 2026, 785 student hostels had been completed under the scheme.

FAQs

Q1. What is PM-AJAY?
PM-AJAY is a Central scheme for the socio-economic and educational empowerment of Scheduled Caste communities.

Q2. Which Ministry implements PM-AJAY?
It is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Q3. What are the three major components of PM-AJAY?
They are Adarsh Gram, Grants-in-Aid for socio-economic projects, and construction/repair of hostels.

Q4. What is the funding pattern of PM-AJAY?
It is 100% funded by the Central Government, though States and UTs may provide additional funds.

Q5. What is the focus of the Adarsh Gram component?
It aims to transform SC-dominated villages by filling critical gaps in infrastructure and basic services.