PM-AJAY backgrounder: one merged scheme for Scheduled Caste development
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UPSC has already asked about this. Read the story with these questions in mind.
- Prelims 2026Consider the following statements about the provisions pertaining to the Scheduled Castes and the Scheduled Tribes in IndiaSolve with answer →
- Mains 2026 · GS2Do constitutional bodies like the National Commission for Scheduled Castes (NCSC) and the National Commission for Scheduled Tribes (NCST) possess adequate enforcement powers to…See model answer →
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) is a 100 per cent centrally sponsored scheme of the Social Justice Ministry, launched in 2021-22. It merges three older schemes and works through Adarsh Gram, grants-in-aid and hostels. By 8 September 2026, 18,093 villages had been declared Adarsh Grams.
- Ministry
- Social Justice & Empowerment
- Launched
- FY 2021-22
- Funding
- 100% centrally sponsored
- Adarsh Grams declared
- 18,093 (8 Sep 2026)
- Grants released
- over ₹1,730 crore, 2021-22 to 2025-26
- Hostels completed
- 785
PM-AJAY: what happened?
Scheduled Castes are 16.6 per cent of India’s population. PM-AJAY puts three scattered schemes under one roof to cut poverty, fill village gaps and raise education.
- PIB published a backgrounder on Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) [PIB].
Which schemes were merged?
- Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY).
- Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP).
- Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY).
Who is eligible?
- Grants-in-aid: priority to families with annual income up to ₹2.50 lakh.
- Village infrastructure: villages with 40% or more SC population and total population of 500 or more.
What do the numbers show?
| Component | Progress |
|---|---|
| Villages covered (Adarsh Gram) | 47,243 |
| Citizens benefited | over 47.79 lakh |
| Works completed | 46,944 |
| Village Development Plans | 27,032 |
| Declared Adarsh Gram | 18,093 |
| Skilling/livelihood beneficiaries | over 2.5 lakh |
| Hostels completed | 785 |
How does a village become an Adarsh Gram?
- Village with 40%+ SC population selected
- Village Development Plan prepared
- Gap-filling works done
- Basic services reach all
- Declared Adarsh Gram
Why does PM-AJAY matter?
| Angle | What to note |
|---|---|
| Social justice | Targets historic gaps of SC communities. |
| Rural | Basic services in SC-majority villages. |
| Education | Hostels help students from remote areas. |
What are the challenges in PM-AJAY?
- Only 18,093 of 47,243 covered villages declared Adarsh Gram so far.
- Hostel funding for 2026-27 covers two projects for 264 students.
What should be done next on PM-AJAY?
- Speed up completion of Village Development Plans.
- Track outcomes like literacy and income, not just works done.
What can Prelims ask on PM-AJAY?
- PM-AJAY: 100% centrally sponsored, launched 2021-22.
- Merged PMAGY, SCA to SCSP, BJRCY.
- Village eligibility: 40% SC population and 500 total.
- Income ceiling for priority: ₹2.50 lakh a year.
How to write about PM-AJAY in Mains
Practice question (15 marks, 250 words): Explain how PM-AJAY seeks an integrated approach to the development of Scheduled Castes. What gaps remain?
- Intro: SC share and the merger.
- Three components with data.
- Gaps.
- Way forward.
What should UPPCS aspirants note?
- UP has a large SC population, so Adarsh Gram and hostel data are useful for UP social-justice answers.
How to use this in Mains
- As per PIB Backgrounder (2026-09-28): PIB published a backgrounder on Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY).
- Scheme mergers and funding pattern are typical Prelims; 2026 Prelims asked on SC provisions.
Quotable data pointPIB published a backgrounder on Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY).
PIB Backgrounder: PM-AJAY, 28 Sep 2026
Exam angle
Prelims: funding pattern; merged schemes.
Practice MCQs
Original practice questions (not PYQs).
Which of the following was NOT merged into PM-AJAY?
Answer (d) & explanation
PIB, 28 Sep 2026.
Under PM-AJAY, a village qualifies for Adarsh Gram if its SC population is at least
Answer (c) & explanation
PIB, 28 Sep 2026.
Questions students ask about this
What is PM-AJAY?
A centrally sponsored scheme for the socio-economic and educational development of Scheduled Castes.
Which schemes were merged into PM-AJAY?
PMAGY, SCA to SCSP and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana.
Which villages qualify for Adarsh Gram?
Villages with 40 per cent or more SC population and a total population of 500 or more.
Who funds PM-AJAY?
The Centre, fully.
Keep studying
Go deeper
Official source: PIB Backgrounder: PM-AJAY, 28 Sep 2026
facts from cited sources only; faculty review pending