PM-AJAY Scheme Achieves Significant Coverage Across 47,328 Villages
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment is implementing the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) to promote socio-economic development of Scheduled Caste communities through integrated village development under its Adarsh Gram Component. The scheme aims to ensure saturation of key socio-economic indicators through convergence of Central and State Government schemes while addressing critical development gaps.
Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment Shri Ramdas Athawale provided detailed progress metrics in response to a parliamentary question from Shri Anil Kumar Yadav Mandadi in the Rajya Sabha. Nationally, 47,328 villages have been selected under the scheme's Adarsh Gram Component, with state-wise details placed on the Table of the House. The program focuses on integrated development through saturation of 50 monitorable socio-economic indicators across 10 development sectors, including education.
A Need Assessment Survey establishes baseline status for these indicators, with identified gaps addressed through convergence with government schemes or PM-AJAY-supported interventions. Progress is regularly updated through the PMAGY Portal. Across India, the scheme has identified 3,28,131 development works and 1,10,51,213 beneficiaries. Of these, 46,642 development works have been completed, while 47,59,399 beneficiaries have already been saturated through various interventions.
Specifically for Telangana, 435 villages have been selected under the scheme. Within the education sector in the state, 3,529 beneficiaries have been identified, with 472 beneficiaries already receiving benefits. Regarding verification mechanisms, States and Union Territories have been directed to verify self-declaration of Adarsh Gram villages, with validation being undertaken by respective State and UT Governments.
The scheme continues to promote inclusive and sustainable rural development by improving access to education, infrastructure, livelihoods, and essential services, contributing to socio-economic empowerment of Scheduled Caste communities nationwide.