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The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment has proposed continuing PM-AJAY from 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an enhanced financial outlay; since its 2021-22 launch, the Centre has released ₹4,276.62 crore (up to 2025-26) across 30 States/UTs, with ₹1,100.09 crore released in 2025-26 alone.
A NITI Aayog DMEO evaluation found PM-AJAY has significantly improved infrastructure, electricity, banking access, healthcare, education and livelihoods in SC-dominated areas.
Under the Adarsh Gram component, 3,112 villages have been identified since 2018-19, with 3,111 declared Adarsh Gram in Tamil Nadu alone.
Separately, the government is expanding NCC coverage in SC-concentrated/PM-AJAY areas: of 263 identified schools, only 25 already have NCC units, 8 are waitlisted, and 230 are yet to apply — no Maharashtra school features on the list.
Socio-economic empowerment of Scheduled Caste communities
Key: Launched 2021-22 by merging PMAGY, SCA to SCSP and BJRCY; three components — Adarsh Gram, Grants-in-Aid, Hostels; continuation proposed for 2026-27 to 2030-31 with an enhanced outlay
Promote leadership, discipline and national service among SC/disadvantaged students
Key: 263 Government schools identified/shortlisted; only 25 have NCC units so far; list shared with 7 States and 1 UT
Conducted the independent evaluation finding PM-AJAY's positive impact
Tri-services youth organisation promoting discipline, leadership and national service among students
PMAGY (village development), SCA to SCSP (economic development funding) and BJRCY (student hostels) all separately targeted Scheduled Caste welfare but ran as disconnected programmes with their own guidelines and reporting. Merging them into PM-AJAY's three components lets a single administrative and financial framework coordinate infrastructure, livelihoods and education support for the same SC-dominated villages and communities together
Simple Analogy: It's like consolidating three separate small grants into one larger fund with clear sub-heads, so the same village doesn't have to navigate three different application processes for related needs
GS Paper 2 > Governance > SC/ST Welfare Schemes
Recurring — PM-AJAY funding/progress figures updated most Parliament sessions
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana — the merged flagship scheme for Scheduled Caste socio-economic empowerment