PM-AJAY has declared 18,093 Adarsh Grams and released about Rs 1,730 crore in grants-in-aid

16 October 2026

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment set out the progress of Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY). Over 47,200 villages have been covered and 18,093 were declared Adarsh Grams as on 8 September 2026, benefiting more than 47.79 lakh citizens. A total of 46,944 development works have been completed and 27,032 Village Development Plans prepared. About Rs 1,730 crore in grants-in-aid was released directly to States for the years 2021-22 to 2025-26, supporting over 2.5 lakh individual and group beneficiaries. As of September 2026, 785 student hostels had been completed, and Rs 61.46 crore was allocated for 2026-27 for two hostel projects, one for girls and one for boys, accommodating 264 students. PM-AJAY has three components: developing Scheduled Caste dominated villages into Adarsh Grams, grants-in-aid for socio-economic projects at State and district level, and construction and repair of hostels. The scheme is 100 per cent centrally funded, with States and Union Territories free to supplement it.