PM-AJAY Scheme

About PM-AJAY Scheme:

• PM AJAY (Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana) scheme is a comprehensive initiative launched in FY 2021-22.
• It is aimed at the socio-economic upliftment of Scheduled Castes (SCs).
• It is a merger scheme of three erstwhile Centrally Sponsored Schemes, namely, 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 focuses on reducing poverty, enhancing educational opportunities, and improving infrastructure in SC-dominated areas.​
• Nodal Ministry: Implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment.
• Eligibility Criteria for the Scheme
  • The Scheduled Castes persons living below the poverty lines are eligible for getting benefits under the various Income Generating Schemes and Skill Development Programmes.
  • In case of Infrastructure Development, the villages having 50% or more SC population are eligible for grants under the Scheme.
• Key Components of the Scheme
  • Adarsh Gram Development: Transforming SC-majority villages into ‘Adarsh Grams’(model villages) by filling critical gaps in infrastructure and services.​
  • Grants-in-Aid for Socio-Economic Projects: Providing financial assistance for district/state-level projects aimed at the socio-economic betterment of SCs. This includes:​
    • Creation of infrastructure in SC-dominated villages
    • Construction of hostels/residential schools
    • Comprehensive livelihood projects, including skill development and related infrastructure.​
    • Financial assistance towards loans taken by beneficiaries for asset acquisition/creation required for livelihood generation.​
  • Construction of Hostels: It includes building hostels in higher educational institutions ranked under the National Institutional Ranking Framework (NIRF) and funded by the Centre/State/UT Governments, schools funded by the Centre/State/UT Governments and recommended by the Ministry of Education.​