PM-AJAY Scheme

PM AJAY Scheme Latest News

Recently, the union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment chaired a meeting of the central advisory committee for the PM-AJAY scheme.

About PM-AJAY Scheme

• The Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM- AJAY) is a 100% Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
• It is aimed at reducing poverty among the SC communities through various initiatives like the generation of additional employment and improving socio-economic indicators in SC dominated villages.
• It is a merged scheme of three 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).

Objectives of PM-AJAY Scheme

• To increase the income of the target population by way of various income generating schemes, skill development and infrastructure development.
• To reduce the poverty among the target population and bring them above the poverty lines.

Eligibility Criteria of PM-AJAY Scheme

• The Scheduled Castes persons living below the poverty lines are eligible for getting benefits under this scheme.
• In case of Infrastructure Development, the villages having 50% or more SC population are eligible for grants under the Scheme.
• It is being implemented since 2021-22 as three components, which are as under:-
• Development of SC dominated villages into an ‘Adarsh Gram’ component
• Grants-in-aid for District/State-level Projects for socio-economic betterment of SCs’ component
• Construction of Hostels in Higher Educational Institutions’ component

PM-AJAY Scheme FAQs

Q1: What is the PM Ajay scheme?

Ans: It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme launched in 2021-22 by merging three existing schemes namely Adarsh Gram, Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan and Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana.

Q2: What are the aims of Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana?

Ans: The Scheme aims at integrated development of Scheduled Castes majority villages.

Q3: What is the meaning of below poverty?

Ans: BPL, which stands for Below Poverty Line, is a benchmark used by the Indian Government to identify individuals or families who are living below the poverty line and need the most help. 

Source: ET