PM-AJAY: the centrally sponsored scheme for Scheduled Caste development

Background

Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is a 100% centrally sponsored scheme launched in FY 2021-22 and implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment. Scheduled Castes constitute 16.6% of India's population. PM-AJAY is a merger of three earlier centrally sponsored 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). It rests on three components, the first being development of SC dominated villages into 'Adarsh Gram'. The Adarsh Gram component has covered 47,243 villages, benefiting more than 47.79 lakh citizens, with 46,944 development works completed and 27,032 Village Development Plans prepared. As on 8 September 2026, 18,093 villages had been declared as Adarsh Grams. Under the Grants-in-Aid component, priority is given to families with annual income not more than Rs. 2.50 lakh per annum; for infrastructure development, villages with 40% or more SC population and total population of 500 or more are eligible. A PM-AJAY Mobile App and PM-AJAY Portal have been launched for implementation.