More than Rs 1,730 crore has been released directly to states under the Grants-in-Aid component of the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY), supporting skilling, livelihood creation and asset development for more than 2.5 lakh individual and group beneficiaries.

The funds were released between FY 2021-22 and FY 2025-26 as part of efforts to strengthen economic opportunities and improve access to livelihood support for Scheduled Caste communities.

PM-AJAY brings together three earlier centrally sponsored schemes — the Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana, Special Central Assistance to the Scheduled Castes Sub Plan and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana. The scheme focuses on improving infrastructure, education and livelihood opportunities in areas with significant Scheduled Caste populations.

Under its Adarsh Gram component, 47,243 villages have been covered, benefiting more than 47.79 lakh people. The government said 46,944 development works have been completed, while 27,032 Village Development Plans have been prepared.

As of September 8, 2026, a total of 18,093 villages had been declared Adarsh Grams. The initiative aims to address gaps in basic infrastructure and services and improve living conditions in these villages.

Education is another key focus of PM-AJAY. A total of 785 student hostels have been completed under the scheme. For 2026-27, the government has allocated Rs 61.46 crore in central assistance for two hostel projects — one for boys and one for girls — providing accommodation for 264 students.

The government has also introduced the PM-AJAY portal and mobile application to move scheme-related work towards digital, real-time processing. The digital system is expected to improve monitoring, field-level reporting and delivery of benefits.

With its focus on skills, livelihoods, education and village infrastructure, PM-AJAY is aimed at creating stronger economic and social opportunities for Scheduled Caste communities through targeted development interventions.