The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reported significant progress under the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) scheme, which aims to reduce poverty and create sustainable livelihood opportunities for Scheduled Caste communities through technology-enabled implementation. Under the Adarsh Gram component, the scheme has covered 47,316 villages, benefiting 47,59,399 citizens across the country, with 46,782 development works completed and 24,133 Village Development Plans prepared. A total of 16,759 villages have been declared as Adarsh Grams, reflecting substantial progress in improving infrastructure, basic services, and quality of life in SC-majority villages.
The Ministry has allocated ₹22.50 crore in Central assistance for FY 2026-27 for construction of three hostel projects, including two for girls, which will provide accommodation for 750 students, reinforcing the government's commitment to expanding educational opportunities for SC youth. Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar stated that PM-AJAY plays a crucial role in addressing socio-economic disparities through focused interventions and collaborative efforts toward empowering SC individuals and promoting inclusive growth.
PM-AJAY comprises three major components: the Adarsh Gram component focuses on integrated development of villages with substantial SC populations through infrastructure creation and community-led planning; the Grants-in-Aid component supports livelihood generation, skill development, and income-enhancing activities; and the Hostel component provides financial assistance for construction and repair of hostels to improve educational access for SC students. The scheme is implemented through a robust digital governance framework using the PM-AJAY Portal and AJAY Mobile Application, enabling end-to-end online implementation including Village Development Plan preparation, project appraisal, fund tracking, beneficiary monitoring, and geo-tagged reporting to ensure transparency and effective monitoring.
The Ministry is working in partnership with States, Union Territories, and implementing agencies to ensure timely execution of projects, with sustained investment in infrastructure, livelihoods, education, and digital governance to build an inclusive and equitable society while empowering SC communities to participate fully in India's growth story.