The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has been implementing the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) to improve infrastructure, skill development, livelihood opportunities, and educational access for Scheduled Caste communities. Funds have been released for various components since FY 2014-15.
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is working towards the socio-economic empowerment of Scheduled Caste communities through the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY).
Under the Adarsh Gram Component, an amount of Rs. 3,545.103 Crore has been released from FY 2014-15 to date for 48,811 selected villages. Of these, 16,022 villages have been declared Adarsh Gram after achieving the prescribed developmental indicators.
The focus of the Adarsh Gram Component is on integrated development of Scheduled Caste-majority villages by addressing critical gaps in infrastructure and essential services. The Grant-in-Aid Component, formerly known as Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan, has received an amount of Rs. 7,142.692 crore from FY 2014-15 to date, benefiting 34.61 lakh beneficiaries.
The assistance under the Grant-in-Aid Component is aimed at skill development, livelihood promotion, income-generating projects, and other initiatives that enhance economic opportunities for Scheduled Caste communities.
Under the Hostel Component, formerly implemented as the Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana, an amount of Rs. 498.215 crore has been released from FY 2014-15 to date for 244 hostels, covering 24,131 beneficiaries.
The Hostel Component supports the construction and expansion of hostel facilities to improve access to educational opportunities for students belonging to Scheduled Caste communities.
During FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26, an amount of Rs. 629.26 crore was released under the Adarsh Gram Component whileas 8,823 villages were declared Adarsh Gram.
An amount of Rs. 705.638 crore was released to States and Union Territories under Grant-in-Aid Component during FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26, benefiting 1,782 persons.
Under Hostel Component, an amount of Rs. 80.115 crore was released for 46 hostels, covering 5,664 beneficiaries during FY 2024-25 and FY 2025-26.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
