18,093 Villages Declared Adarsh Grams, ₹1,730 Crore Released Under PM-AJAY Grants-in-Aid

New Delhi ( Raghwendra Pratap Singh) :

The Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY), implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has seen 18,093 villages declared Adarsh Grams as of September 8, 2026, reflecting efforts to improve infrastructure, basic services and quality of life in Scheduled Caste-majority villages.

Under the Adarsh Gram component of PM-AJAY, more than 47,200 villages have been covered, benefiting over 47.79 lakh citizens across the country. A total of 46,944 development works have been completed, while 27,032 Village Development Plans (VDPs) have been prepared under the scheme, the Ministry said.

PM-AJAY aims to advance the socio-economic and educational empowerment of Scheduled Caste communities through infrastructure development, livelihood promotion, education and improved access to essential services.

Under the scheme, Scheduled Caste-dominated villages are developed as model villages by addressing critical gaps in infrastructure and essential services. An Adarsh Gram is envisioned as a village where people have access to basic services, the minimum needs of all sections of society are met, and disparities are reduced to a minimum.

The scheme has three components: development of Scheduled Caste-dominated villages into Adarsh Grams, Grants-in-Aid for socio-economic projects at the State and District levels, and construction and repair of hostels.

The Grants-in-Aid component provides financial assistance for State- and District-level projects aimed at the socio-economic advancement of Scheduled Castes. It focuses on increasing the income of beneficiaries through comprehensive livelihood projects, skill development and related infrastructure.

Under the hostel component, PM-AJAY seeks to encourage Scheduled Caste students to pursue quality education by providing access to accommodation, particularly for those from rural and remote areas.As of September 2026, a total of 785 student hostels had been completed under the scheme.

For the financial year 2026-27, the Government has allocated ₹61.46 crore in central assistance for two hostel projects—one for girls and one for boys—which will provide accommodation for 264 students.