The government’s Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is enhancing the socio-economic status of Scheduled Caste communities by reducing poverty, creating livelihood opportunities, and upgrading infrastructure. The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment highlighted that the flagship scheme aims at fostering inclusive development through a technology-driven and result-oriented approach.
Under the PM-AJAY scheme, the Adarsh Gram initiative has reached 47,316 villages, benefiting nearly 47.6 lakh citizens nationwide. Notably, 46,782 development projects have been finalized, and 24,133 Village Development Plans (VDPs) have been formulated to date.
Moreover, 16,759 villages have been designated as Adarsh Grams, showcasing substantial advancements in enhancing infrastructure, essential services, and the overall quality of life in villages dominated by Scheduled Caste populations. The ministry has earmarked Rs 22.50 crore for the fiscal year 2027 to construct three hostel projects, including two for girls, to accommodate 750 students.
Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, emphasized the pivotal role of PM-AJAY in bridging socio-economic gaps by implementing targeted measures, fostering collaborative initiatives to empower Scheduled Caste individuals, and promoting inclusive development. The scheme focuses on community empowerment and bolstering grassroots institutions through convergence and active community involvement, Minister Kumar added.
The Adarsh Gram segment concentrates on the holistic development of villages with significant Scheduled Caste populations by enhancing infrastructure and engaging in community-driven planning. Additionally, the Grants-in-Aid component supports livelihood enhancement, skill development, and income-generating activities, while the Hostel component offers financial aid for constructing and renovating hostels to enhance educational accessibility for Scheduled Caste students.
To ensure efficient implementation, the ministry has embraced a robust digital governance framework through the PM-AJAY Portal and AJAY Mobile Application. This digital platform facilitates various activities such as Village Development Plan formulation, project evaluation, fund tracking, beneficiary monitoring, and geo-tagged reporting, ensuring transparency and effective oversight at all stages.
