PMAJAY-AG

Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram

7.1/10

The scheme aims to achieve integrated development of selected villages primarily through implementation of existing Central and State Government schemes in a convergent manner, ensuring access to quality services and infrastructure development in villages having SC population more than 40%.

Central Composite

States / UT: All India

Ministry / nodal: Ministry Of Social Justice and Empowerment

Nodal department: Department of Social Justice & Empowerment

Scheme for: Infra

Scheme profile

DBT (direct benefit transfer): No

Categories: Social welfare & Empowerment, Transport & Infrastructure, Agriculture,Rural & Environment

Sub-categories: Infrastructure, Rural services, Financial assistance, Roads and road transport

Target beneficiaries: Village

Tags: Village, Scheduled Caste, Infrastructure, Education, Employment, Healthcare, Sanitation, Livelihood, Empowerment

Details

The scheme "Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY)" was launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, Government of India. The component "Development of Scheduled Caste dominated villages into Adarsh Gram" aims to achieve integrated development of selected villages primarily through implementation of existing Central and State Government schemes in a convergent manner, ensuring access to quality services and infrastructure development in villages having Scheduled Caste population more than 40% and total population ≥ 500. The scheme provides Gap-filling funding of ₹20,00,000/- per village for infrastructure development and administrative expenses of ₹1,00,000/- per village for capacity building, awareness generation, need assessment, and Village Development Plan preparation. The scheme focuses on saturating 50 socio-economic developmental monitorable indicators across 10 domains including drinking water and sanitation, education, health and nutrition, social security, rural roads and housing, electricity and clean fuel, agricultural practices, financial inclusion, digitization, and livelihood and skill development.

Benefits

  • - Gap-filling Fund: ₹20,00,000/- per newly selected village for carrying out infrastructure developmental requirements which cannot be carried out through convergence with other schemes.- Administrative Expenses : ₹1,00,000/- per village for technical resource support, training and capacity building, awareness generation, publicity, and Management Information System development and maintenance.- Additional Round Funding: ₹9,50,000/- per village for Gap-filling component and ₹50,000/- for administrative expenses after completion of 5 years for continuous development.- Convergence Support: Access to 3 to 4 times of Gap-filling funds from existing Central and State Schemes or matching grants from State Governments.- Infrastructure Development: Development of adequate infrastructure necessary for socio-economic development including drinking water, sanitation, education, health, rural roads, housing, electricity facilities.- Capacity Building: Training and orientation programs for Village Level Convergence Committee members and other functionaries. Disbursement
  • Direct transfer to State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, then to District Administrations
  • Released in two installments - First installment (₹80,000/- or ₹40,000/- as applicable) immediately on selection of villages; Second installment (₹20,00,000/- or ₹9,50,000/- as applicable) after Village Development Plan finalization
  • Administrative expenses released at beginning of financial year; Gap-filling funds released after Village Development Plan approval
  • Gap-filling funds to be utilized within 2 years from date of release; convergent implementation continues for additional 3 years. Conditions
  • Villages must maintain Open Defecation Free status and achieve score of 70 or above on monitorable indicators for declaration as Adarsh Gram
  • Village Level Convergence Committee must conduct Need Assessment, data collection, gap analysis and prepare Village Development Plan in online mode
  • Village Development Plan must be approved by Gram Sabha and District Level Convergence Committee
  • State Governments and Union Territory Administrations must ensure convergence of at least 3 to 4 times of Gap-filling funds from other schemes
  • Monthly progress reporting on fulfilling infrastructure and individual needs through prescribed formats
  • Social audit by Gram Sabha at least once a year for transparency and better utilization
  • Real-time updating of progress in centralized Management Information System portal
  • Gap-filling Fund: ₹20,00,000/- per newly selected village for carrying out infrastructure developmental requirements which cannot be carried out through convergence with other schemes.- Administrative Expenses: ₹1,00,000/- per village for technical resource support, training and capacity building, awareness generation, publicity, and Management Information System development and maintenance.- Additional Round Funding: ₹9,50,000/- per village for Gap-filling component and ₹50,000/- for administrative expenses after completion of 5 years for continuous development.- Convergence Support: Access to 3 to 4 times of Gap-filling funds from existing Central and State Schemes or matching grants from State Governments.- Infrastructure Development: Development of adequate infrastructure necessary for socio-economic development including drinking water, sanitation, education, health, rural roads, housing, electricity facilities.- Capacity Building: Training and orientation programs for Village Level Convergence Committee members and other functionaries.
Disbursement
  • Direct transfer to State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, then to District Administrations.
  • Released in two installments - First installment (₹80,000/- or ₹40,000/- as applicable) immediately on selection of villages; Second installment (₹20,00,000/- or ₹9,50,000/- as applicable) after Village Development Plan finalization.
  • Administrative expenses released at beginning of financial year; Gap-filling funds released after Village Development Plan approval.
  • Gap-filling funds to be utilized within 2 years from date of release; convergent implementation continues for additional 3 years.
Conditions
  • Villages must maintain Open Defecation Free status and achieve score of 70 or above on monitorable indicators for declaration as Adarsh Gram.
  • Village Level Convergence Committee must conduct Need Assessment, data collection, gap analysis and prepare Village Development Plan in online mode.
  • Village Development Plan must be approved by Gram Sabha and District Level Convergence Committee.
  • State Governments and Union Territory Administrations must ensure convergence of at least 3 to 4 times of Gap-filling funds from other schemes.
  • Monthly progress reporting on fulfilling infrastructure and individual needs through prescribed formats.
  • Social audit by Gram Sabha at least once a year for transparency and better utilization.
  • Real-time updating of progress in centralized Management Information System portal.
  • Submission of utilization certificates in prescribed formats as per General Financial Rules 2017.

Eligibility

  • The village must have more than 40% Scheduled Caste population as per the latest available Census data.

  • The village must have total population ≥ 500 as per the latest available Census data.

  • The village must be willing to participate in convergence implementation with other Central and State Government schemes.

  • The village must constitute Village Level Convergence Committee headed by Sarpanch or Pradhan of the village.

  • The village must complete Need Assessment exercise for all 50 monitorable indicators across 10 developmental domains.

  • The village must prepare comprehensive Village Development Plan through online portal https://pmagy.gov.in.

  • The village must obtain approval of Village Development Plan from Gram Sabha.

  • The village must get Village Development Plan approved by District Level Project Appraisal cum Convergence Committee.

  • The village should commit to utilize Gap-filling funds within 2 years from date of release.

  • The village should agree to continue convergent implementation for additional 3 years after fund utilization period.

Selection Process
Villages will be selected in descending order of their Scheduled Caste population percentage.
Priority
Villages having less than or equal to 40% Scheduled Caste population but overall high number of persons belonging to Scheduled Castes shall be taken up after covering eligible villages with more than 40% Scheduled Caste population.

Exclusions

  • Villages not meeting minimum Scheduled Caste population criteria of 40% or total population criteria of 500 are not eligible.
  • Villages unwilling to participate in convergence implementation are excluded.
  • Villages unable to constitute Village Level Convergence Committee are not eligible.

How useful is this scheme?

Public benefit analysis

A practical look at this scheme for citizens

AI-generated insights showing how useful, accessible, and practical this scheme may be — combining deterministic scoring rules with a public-policy LLM analyst.

7.1
/ 10
Public Benefit Score
Accessibility 6.0/10 Moderate
Rural usefulness 6.0/10 Moderate
Application complexity 6.0/10 Moderate
Financial impact 9.5/10 Good
Literacy barrier 8.0/10 Challenging
Women inclusivity 6.0/10 Moderate
Awareness 8.5/10 Good
Implementation reliability 8.0/10 Good
Bigger shape means a better fit for citizens
  • Accessibility6.0
  • Financial impact9.5
  • Rural utility6.0
  • Awareness8.5
  • Simplicity4.0
  • Inclusivity6.0

What problem does this scheme solve?

The scheme aims to enhance the development of villages with a significant Scheduled Caste population through integrated funding and support.

Key challenges addressed

  • Infrastructure development in underprivileged villages
  • Access to essential services for Scheduled Caste communities

Most beneficial for

  • Villages with over 40% Scheduled Caste population
  • Local governance bodies like Gram Panchayats

Likely challenges

  • Complexity in online application processes
  • Need for community mobilization and awareness

Practical insights for citizens

The scheme's success depends on effective local governance and community participation.

Rural challenges

  • Limited internet access in remote areas
  • Need for community mobilization for effective implementation

Digital challenges

  • High dependency on digital platforms for application and monitoring
  • Potential lack of digital literacy among beneficiaries

Implementation bottlenecks

  • Approval processes may delay fund disbursement
  • Need for continuous monitoring and reporting

Awareness challenges

  • Limited awareness among rural populations about the scheme
  • Need for outreach programs to educate potential beneficiaries

Application analysis

Application mode
Online portal
Documents burden
Minimal documentation required
Verification complexity
Moderate due to need for community involvement
Office dependency
Low, primarily online
DBT dependency
Yes, funds are transferred to state governments
CSC support
Limited, primarily online
Estimated citizen effort
High due to need for community engagement and online processes

Estimated beneficiary reach

  • Rural / urban reach High
  • Gender reach Moderate
  • Target income group Low-income groups
  • Occupation reach Agricultural and informal sector workers

Benefit analysis

Benefit type
Composite funding for infrastructure and capacity building
Benefit frequency
One-time funding with potential for additional rounds after 5 years
Benefit practicality
High, as it addresses critical infrastructure needs
Financial meaningfulness
Very high due to substantial funding amounts
Long-term impact
Positive, with potential for sustainable development in targeted villages

Plain-language guidance

This scheme helps villages with a large Scheduled Caste population improve their infrastructure and access to services. Villages can receive significant funding for development projects.

Who should apply
Villages with more than 40% Scheduled Caste population and a total population of at least 500.
Who may struggle
Villages lacking internet access or digital literacy may find the application process challenging.
Best application route
Apply via the online portal after forming a Village Level Convergence Committee.

This intelligence section is generated by an AI policy analyst combined with rule-based scoring. Scores and narrative are estimates derived from the publicly available scheme information shown on this page; actual experience may vary by state, district, and department. Always confirm details on the official portal before you apply.

Application Process

Online

Step 1:**** Village Selection and Committee Formation

  • Check eligibility on web portal https://pmagy.gov.in for villages with more than 40% Scheduled Caste population and total population ≥ 500.
  • Constitute Village Level Convergence Committee headed by Sarpanch including all Scheduled Caste Gram Panchayat members, Anganwadi Workers, ASHA workers, and line officials.
  • Complete village registration on the centralized Management Information System portal with committee composition and demographic details.

Step 2:**** Need Assessment and Data Collection

  • Conduct comprehensive household-wise survey for all 50 socio-economic developmental monitorable indicators across 10 domains through Village Level Convergence Committee.
  • Input collected data in Format I for village level data, Format II for infrastructural needs, and Format III-A for family and individual needs.
  • Complete Format III-B as consolidation capturing all family and individual needs at village level with gap analysis.

Step 3:**** Village Development Plan Preparation and Approval

  • Prepare comprehensive Village Development Plan through auto-generation on portal based on inputs in all required formats. Present complete plan including infrastructure development, convergence planning, and Gap-filling requirements to Gram Sabha for formal approval.
  • Obtain Gram Sabha resolution approving the Village Development Plan and upload approved plan with resolution on online portal.

Step 4:**** District Level Appraisal and Fund Release

  • Submit Gram Sabha approved Village Development Plan to District Level Project Appraisal cum Convergence Committee for technical appraisal and final approval.
  • Receive first installment of ₹80,000/- for administrative expenses upon village selection to initiate capacity building and awareness activities.
  • Obtain release of complete Gap-filling fund of ₹20,00,000/- after District Level Committee approval preferably in single installment.

Step 5:**** Implementation and Progress Monitoring

  • Execute approved infrastructure works using Gap-filling funds within 2 years while ensuring convergence with other Central and State schemes.
  • Update monthly progress on infrastructure and individual needs fulfillment through Formats IV and V with real-time scoring in Format VI.
  • Conduct annual social audit by Gram Sabha and submit progress reports, utilization certificates, and photographic evidence through online portal.

Clarifications

Additional points from the scheme information published on myScheme (not legal advice).

What is the minimum Scheduled Caste population percentage required for a village to be considered eligible under this developmental scheme?

Villages must have more than 40% Scheduled Caste population as per the latest available Census data to qualify for selection. Additionally, the total population should be ≥ 500 persons for eligibility consideration.

How much financial assistance is provided to newly selected villages for infrastructure development and what additional support is available for administrative activities?

Newly selected villages receive ₹20,00,000/- for Gap-filling infrastructure development activities that cannot be covered through convergence with other schemes. An additional ₹1,00,000/- per village is allocated for administrative expenses including technical resource support, capacity building, awareness generation, and Management Information System maintenance.

What happens to villages that have already completed the initial development phase and wish to continue further improvement after five years?

Villages that successfully implement their Village Development Plan and complete the five-year monitoring period can receive an additional round of funding. This includes ₹9,50,000/- for Gap-filling component and ₹50,000/- for administrative expenses to support continuous development initiatives.

Which online portal must be used for need assessment data entry and Village Development Plan preparation throughout the implementation process?

All activities including need assessment, data collection, gap analysis, and Village Development Plan preparation must be conducted through the centralized web portal https://pmagy.gov.in. This portal provides all necessary formats and auto-generates the comprehensive Village Development Plan.

What is the time limit for utilizing the Gap-filling funds received by selected villages and what happens during the extended monitoring period?

Gap-filling funds must be utilized within 2 years from the date of release for all infrastructure development activities. However, convergent implementation continues for an additional 3 years to ensure maintenance of basic developmental milestones and stabilization of socio-economic indicators.

Who heads the Village Level Convergence Committee and what are the mandatory membership requirements for effective scheme implementation?

The Village Level Convergence Committee is headed by the Sarpanch or Pradhan of the village and must include all Scheduled Caste members of the Gram Panchayat, Anganwadi Workers, ASHA workers, and other concerned line officials. One Scheduled Caste member serves as Member Secretary.

How many socio-economic developmental indicators must be monitored and across how many different domains are these indicators distributed?

Villages must monitor 50 socio-economic developmental monitorable indicators distributed across 10 domains including drinking water and sanitation, education, health and nutrition, social security, rural roads and housing, electricity and clean fuel, agricultural practices, financial inclusion, digitization, and livelihood and skill development.

What minimum score must a village achieve on the monitorable indicators to qualify for declaration as an Adarsh Gram?

Villages must achieve a score of 70 or above on the monitorable indicators and be declared as Open Defecation Free to qualify for Adarsh Gram declaration. Each indicator can achieve a maximum score of 2, making the total possible score 100.

What is the expected convergence ratio that State Governments must ensure with other schemes to maximize development impact?

State Governments and Union Territory Administrations are expected to ensure convergence of at least 3 to 4 times of Gap-filling funds from existing Central and State Schemes or matching grants to achieve comprehensive village saturation with basic infrastructure.

How frequently must the Gram Sabha conduct social audit of the scheme implementation and what is the purpose of this requirement?

The Gram Sabha must undertake social audit of the scheme at least once a year to ensure greater transparency and better utilization of resources, following the same methodology required under Section 17 of the National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005.

What are the different formats required for capturing village level data and how do these formats contribute to the overall Village Development Plan?

The need assessment requires Format I for village level data, Format II for village level infrastructural needs, Format III-A for family and individual needs, and Format III-B for consolidation. The final Village Development Plan consists of Formats I, IV, V and VI.

Which committee at the district level is responsible for appraising and approving the Village Development Plans prepared by villages?

The District Level Project Appraisal cum Convergence Committee headed by the District Collector is responsible for appraising Village Development Plans. This committee ensures robust planning with adequate convergence and potential for desired improvements in monitorable indicators.

What specific activities are funded exclusively through Gap-filling component and what types of activities require convergence with other schemes?

Gap-filling funds cover only non-recurring infrastructure developmental requirements for community purposes that cannot be met under existing Central or State Government schemes. All other developmental activities must be implemented through convergence with relevant existing schemes.

How are the administrative expenses of ₹1,00,000/- per village distributed among different levels of implementation and what is the allocation ratio?

The administrative expenses are distributed among Centre, State, District and Village in a ratio of 1:1:1:2. This covers technical resource support, training and capacity building, awareness generation, publicity, and Management Information System development and maintenance at all levels.

References

Guidelines
https://socialjustice.gov.in/writereaddata/UploadFile/36851753087331.pdf
PM-AJAY Website
https://pmajay.dosje.gov.in/

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Frequently asked questions

What is the purpose of Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram?
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram is a government welfare initiative designed to support Infra, Village through benefits related to Social welfare & Empowerment, financial assistance, subsidies, social welfare, healthcare, education, or livelihood support.
Who can apply for Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram?
Eligibility for Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram may depend on factors such as income category, age, gender, occupation, state of residence, social category, and government-defined beneficiary criteria.
What benefits are offered under Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram?
Benefits under Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram may include financial assistance, subsidies, scholarships, insurance support, healthcare benefits, pension support, training assistance, or welfare services depending on the scheme guidelines.
Which department manages Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram?
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram is managed by Department of Social Justice & Empowerment and may be implemented through district offices, online portals, CSC centres, banks, or authorised government agencies.
Can users apply online for Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram?
Yes, eligible applicants may be able to apply online for Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram through official government portals, authorised service centres, or digital application systems depending on the implementation process.
Is Aadhaar mandatory for Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram?
Many government schemes may require Aadhaar verification, identity proof, or linked bank account details for beneficiary validation and direct benefit transfer processing.
Where can users apply for Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram?
Applications for Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram may be submitted through government departments, official scheme portals, CSC centres, district offices, welfare departments, or authorised service centres.
What documents may be required for Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram?
Applicants may need Aadhaar card, income certificate, residence proof, bank account details, caste certificate, photographs, educational records, or occupation-related documents depending on scheme eligibility requirements.
Is income certificate required for Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram?
Income certificate requirements may vary depending on beneficiary category, subsidy eligibility, and financial assistance criteria defined under Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram.
Is Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram a central government scheme?
Yes, Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram is a central government welfare initiative that may be implemented across multiple states through authorised departments and agencies.
Can small and marginal farmers apply for Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram?
Eligible small and marginal farmers may apply for Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram subject to land ownership records, income eligibility, and agricultural beneficiary criteria.
Does Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram provide subsidy support for farmers?
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram may provide agricultural subsidies, financial assistance, crop support, irrigation benefits, insurance coverage, or farming-related welfare assistance depending on the scheme structure.
Can students apply for Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram?
Eligible students studying in recognised institutions may apply for Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram depending on educational qualification, category, income limit, and academic eligibility.
Is scholarship amount provided under Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram?
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram may provide scholarship assistance, tuition support, educational reimbursement, or financial aid for eligible students.
Does Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram provide healthcare or insurance support?
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram may provide healthcare assistance, insurance coverage, cashless treatment support, medical reimbursement, or hospital-related benefits depending on the scheme structure.
Can beneficiaries use Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram at government hospitals?
Eligible beneficiaries may be able to access services at empanelled hospitals, government healthcare facilities, or authorised healthcare providers depending on scheme participation rules.
Can CSC centres help users apply for Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram?
Many government schemes may be accessible through nearby CSC centres, authorised digital service centres, or welfare facilitation offices.
How can users check the latest updates for Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram?
Users should verify official notifications, department announcements, application deadlines, and eligibility updates through authorised government portals or implementing agencies.
Can beneficiaries track application status for Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram?
Certain schemes may provide online application tracking, beneficiary verification systems, or status-check facilities through official portals.
Where can users get help for Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram in All India?
Users in All India may seek assistance through CSC centres, district welfare offices, government departments, agriculture offices, social welfare departments, or authorised facilitation centres.
Which nearby public services may help with Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) - Adarsh Gram applications?
Depending on the scheme, users may require support from Aadhaar centres, CSC centres, banks, hospitals, post offices, or government welfare offices for document verification and application assistance.