Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojna (PM-AJAY) Overview
PM-AJAY is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme launched in FY 2021-22 by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment to achieve socio-economic and educational empowerment of Scheduled Caste communities, who constitute 16.6% of India's population. The scheme represents a merger of three previous schemes: Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP), and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY).
Scheme Objectives and Implementation
The scheme operates through three main components with specific objectives: reducing poverty through employment generation and skill development, improving socio-economic indicators by ensuring adequate infrastructure in SC-dominated areas, and increasing literacy through educational support including residential facilities. Eligibility criteria prioritize families with annual income not exceeding ₹2.50 lakh and villages with 40% or more SC population and total population of at least 500.
Component-wise Achievements
Under the Adarsh Gram component, 47,243 villages have been covered, benefiting more than 47.79 lakh citizens nationwide. A total of 46,944 development works have been completed, with 27,032 Village Development Plans prepared. As of September 8, 2026, 18,093 villages have been declared as Adarsh Grams, which are defined as villages with access to basic services and essential infrastructure meeting minimum needs of all society sections.
The Grants-in-Aid component has released over ₹1,730 crore directly to states from FY 2021-22 to FY 2025-26, extending skilling and livelihood support to over 2.5 lakh individual and group beneficiaries. For hostel construction, 785 student hostels have been completed as of September 2026, with central assistance of ₹61.46 crore allocated for FY 2026-27 for two hostel projects accommodating 264 students.
Funding Structure and Digital Transformation
The scheme follows a specific funding allocation: up to 50% for gap-filling activities in Adarsh Gram villages, up to 5% for Technical Support Group and Project Implementation Units at central, state, and district levels, up to 2% for construction and repair of hostels for central institutions, and the remaining funds for grants-in-aid projects allocated based on Scheduled Caste population and state SCSP to Annual Plan ratio. State governments and implementing agencies are responsible for maintenance of completed infrastructure projects.
The scheme has embraced digital governance through the recent launch of 'PM-AJAY' Mobile App and 'PM-AJAY' Portal, transitioning from paper-based to end-to-end digital workflow and real-time processing to enhance transparency, accountability, and efficiency in implementation.