Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY)

Upliftment of Scheduled Castes (SCs)

What is PM-AJAY?

• PM-AJAY is a scheme launched in 2021-22 to improve the lives of Scheduled Castes (SCs).

• It combines three old schemes:

  1. Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY)

  2. Special Central Assistance to SCSP

  3. Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana

• Run by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.

• Fully funded by the Central Government.

Main Goals

• Reduce poverty in SC communities

• Improve education and skills

• Build better infrastructure in SC-majority villages

Where is it implemented?

• Active in 28 States and UTs

• Not implemented in:
  Arunachal Pradesh, Nagaland, Mizoram, Meghalaya, Lakshadweep, Ladakh, A&N Islands, Daman & Diu, Dadra & Nagar Haveli

Who can get benefits?

• SC individuals living below the poverty line (BPL)

• Villages with 50% or more SC population can get funds for development

• Selection based on Panchayati Raj process and Planning Commission guidelines

Main Features of PM-AJAY

Adarsh Gram Development

• Converts SC-majority villages into Model Villages (Adarsh Gram)

• Focus on basic needs: water, toilets, roads, education, nutrition

• In 2024–25:

  • 4,991 villages declared Adarsh Grams

  • 4.25 lakh people benefited

  • 11,000+ villages developed so far

Grants for Socio-Economic Projects

• Funds for district/state projects such as:

  • Roads, water, schools

  • Hostels and skill training centres

  • Support for starting small businesses

• Projects selected based on SC population and plans submitted by states

• In 2023–25:

  • ₹457.82 crore released

  • 8,146 projects approved

  • 987 skill development projects included

Hostel Construction

• Hostels built in top-ranked colleges and government schools

• Supports higher education for SC students

• 891 hostels approved (till 2025)

• ₹936.27 crore spent

• Over 69,000 students benefited

Monitoring and Evaluation

• 5% of funds used for:

  • IT systems and online portals

  • Social audits

  • Hiring technical teams

• Helps ensure transparency and proper usage of funds

Success Stories

• Kesavan (Vellore): Lost job in COVID; started a medical shop with help from PM-AJAY.

• Durai (Kanchipuram): From welding worker to business owner with ₹5 lakh loan and now employs 6 people.

Conclusion

PM-AJAY is helping SC communities grow with better education, jobs, and village infrastructure.
It is a step toward equality and empowerment, ensuring everyone gets a fair chance to succeed.