From developing villages as model settlements to supporting livelihoods, expanding hostel facilities and taking welfare delivery to digital platforms, the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is focused on addressing development gaps among Scheduled Caste communities through targeted interventions.
Launched as a 100 per cent centrally sponsored scheme in 2021-22, PM-AJAY brings together three earlier schemes — the Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana, Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana.
Implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the scheme follows an integrated approach, focusing on three broad areas — creating livelihood opportunities, improving infrastructure and essential services in SC-dominated areas, and promoting education.
From villages to ‘Adarsh Grams’
A key component of PM-AJAY is the transformation of SC-dominated villages into ‘Adarsh Grams’, with efforts directed towards filling infrastructure gaps and ensuring access to basic services.
According to the government, the Adarsh Gram component has covered 47,243 villages, benefiting more than 47.79 lakh people. As many as 46,944 development works have been completed, while 27,032 Village Development Plans have been prepared.
As of September 8, 2026, 18,093 villages had been declared Adarsh Grams.
The objective is to create villages where residents have access to essential infrastructure and basic services, while reducing disparities and creating conditions for a better quality of life.
Livelihood support at the core
The scheme also provides financial assistance for state- and district-level projects aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of SC communities.
These projects cover livelihood generation, skill development and related infrastructure, along with initiatives to strengthen infrastructure in SC-dominated villages and encourage school enrolment and literacy.
Between FY 2021-22 and FY 2025-26, more than ₹1,730 crore was released directly to States under the Grants-in-Aid component. The support has reached more than 2.5 lakh individual and group beneficiaries through skilling and livelihood initiatives.
Under the scheme’s eligibility framework, priority under the Grants-in-Aid component is given to families and individuals with an annual income of up to ₹2.50 lakh. SC members of SC-majority groups are also eligible.
For infrastructure development, villages with 40 per cent or more SC population and a total population of at least 500 are eligible for grants.
Hostels to widen access to education
Education is another key pillar of PM-AJAY, particularly for students from rural and remote areas.
The scheme supports the construction and repair of hostels for Scheduled Caste students, providing residential facilities that can help them access quality educational institutions.
As of September 2026, 785 student hostels had been completed.
For FY 2026-27, the government has allocated ₹61.46 crore in central assistance for two hostel projects — one for girls and one for boys — which will provide accommodation to 264 students.
A digital shift in welfare delivery
The government has also given PM-AJAY a digital push with the launch of the PM-AJAY Mobile App and Portal.
The platforms are aimed at moving implementation from paper-based processes to an end-to-end digital workflow and real-time processing. The move is intended to strengthen monitoring, transparency, coordination and data-driven decision-making.
The scheme is fully funded by the Centre, while States and Union Territories can supplement the available resources.
Under the funding framework, up to 50 per cent can be used for gap-filling activities in selected Adarsh Gram villages, while up to 5 per cent can support Technical Support Groups and Project Implementation Units. Up to 2 per cent can be used for hostel construction and repair, with the remaining funds allocated as grants-in-aid for state- and district-level projects.
Once infrastructure projects are completed, their maintenance and operation are to be handled by the respective State Governments or implementing agencies.
Towards more inclusive development
The PM-AJAY framework brings together infrastructure development, livelihood support and education under a single umbrella, with the stated objective of expanding opportunities for Scheduled Caste communities.
As the scheme expands its digital systems and last-mile interventions, its focus remains on improving access to essential services, supporting sustainable livelihoods and strengthening educational opportunities.
The government has positioned PM-AJAY as part of the broader development vision of Viksit Bharat @2047, with emphasis on ensuring that development reaches communities across different socio-economic segments.
