Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) – Adarsh Gram
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) – Adarsh Gram
The Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) aims to foster comprehensive development in select villages by leveraging existing Central and State Government initiatives. This scheme primarily targets villages with a Scheduled Caste (SC) population exceeding 40%, ensuring that they receive quality services and infrastructure improvements.
Overview of the Scheme
Initiated by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the PM-AJAY seeks to transform Scheduled Caste-dominated villages into Adarsh Gram (Model Villages). The program’s core objective is to implement various Central and State Government schemes in a cohesive manner, thereby providing essential services and infrastructural advancements. Villages eligible for this scheme must have a SC population exceeding 40% and a total population of at least 500. The scheme allocates ₹20,00,000 for infrastructure development and ₹1,00,000 for administrative expenses, intended for capacity building, awareness campaigns, need assessments, and the formulation of Village Development Plans.
Key Benefits
- Gap-filling Fund: ₹20,00,000 allocated per newly selected village to address infrastructure development needs that cannot be met through existing schemes.
- Administrative Support: Provision of ₹1,00,000 per village for technical assistance, training, capacity building, awareness initiatives, and Management Information System development.
- Additional Funding: ₹9,50,000 for gap-filling and ₹50,000 for administrative costs after a period of five years to ensure ongoing development.
- Convergence Support: Availability of 3 to 4 times the gap-filling funds from existing Central and State schemes or matching grants from state governments.
- Infrastructure Development: Construction and enhancement of necessary infrastructure such as drinking water, sanitation, education facilities, health services, rural roads, housing, and electricity.
- Capacity Building: Training and orientation programs for members of the Village Level Convergence Committee and other stakeholders.
Disbursement Process
Funds are disbursed directly to State Governments and Union Territory Administrations, which then transfer to District Administrations. The release occurs in two phases:
- The first installment (₹80,000 or ₹40,000, as applicable) is provided immediately upon village selection.
- The second installment (₹20,00,000 or ₹9,50,000, as applicable) follows the finalization of the Village Development Plan.
Administrative expenses are disbursed at the start of the financial year, while gap-filling funds are released post-approval of the Village Development Plan. The funds must be utilized within two years from the date of release, with an additional three years for convergent implementation.
Conditions for Participation
- Villages must maintain an Open Defecation Free (ODF) status and achieve a score of 70 or above on the monitorable indicators for Adarsh Gram declaration.
- The Village Level Convergence Committee is responsible for conducting a Need Assessment, data collection, gap analysis, and preparing the Village Development Plan online.
- Approval of the Village Development Plan is required from both the Gram Sabha and the District Level Convergence Committee.
- State Governments and Union Territory Administrations must ensure that at least 3 to 4 times the gap-filling funds are converged from other schemes.
- Monthly progress reports must be submitted regarding infrastructure and individual needs, using prescribed formats.
- A social audit by the Gram Sabha should occur at least once a year for transparency.
- Real-time progress updates must be recorded in the centralized Management Information System portal.
- Utilization certificates must be submitted in accordance with the General Financial Rules 2017.
Eligibility Criteria
- Villages must have a Scheduled Caste population exceeding 40% according to the latest Census data.
- The total population should be at least 500 as per the latest Census data.
- Willingness to engage in convergence implementation with other Central and State Government schemes is necessary.
- A Village Level Convergence Committee must be established, headed by the Sarpanch or Pradhan of the village.
- A comprehensive Need Assessment must be conducted covering 50 monitorable indicators across 10 developmental domains.
- The Village Development Plan should be created through the online portal https://pmagy.gov.in.
- The Village Development Plan must receive approval from the Gram Sabha.
- Approval from the District Level Project Appraisal cum Convergence Committee is required for the Village Development Plan.
- Commitment to utilize gap-filling funds within two years from the release date is essential.
- Agreement to continue convergence implementation for an additional three years following the fund utilization period is necessary.
Selection Process
Villages will be chosen based on their Scheduled Caste population percentage, with priority given to those exceeding the 40% threshold. Villages with a lower percentage but a significant number of Scheduled Caste individuals will be considered after all qualifying villages have been addressed.
Exclusions
- Villages failing to meet the minimum criteria for Scheduled Caste population (40%) or total population (500) are disqualified.
- Villages that do not wish to participate in convergence implementation are excluded.
- Villages unable to form a Village Level Convergence Committee are also ineligible.
Application Process
To apply for the PM-AJAY scheme, follow these steps:
- Step 1: Village Selection and Committee Formation
- Verify eligibility on the web portal https://pmagy.gov.in for villages with over 40% Scheduled Caste population and a total population of 500 or more.
- Form a Village Level Convergence Committee led by the Sarpanch, including all Scheduled Caste Gram Panchayat members, Anganwadi Workers, ASHA workers, and relevant officials.
- Complete village registration on the centralized Management Information System portal, including committee composition and demographic details.
- Step 2: Need Assessment and Data Collection
- Conduct a comprehensive household survey for all 50 socio-economic monitorable indicators across ten domains through the Village Level Convergence Committee.
- Input the collected data into the prescribed formats for village-level data collection.
Eligibility Criteria
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.
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.
Submission of utilization certificates in prescribed formats as per General Financial Rules 2017.
Application Process
Apply OnlineStep 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.
References & Official Links
Scheme Details
| Full Name | Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) – Adarsh Gram |
| Short Title | PMAJAY-AG |
| Level | Central |
| Scheme For | Infra |
| Ministry | Ministry Of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Categories | Agriculture,Rural & Environment, Social welfare & Empowerment, Transport & Infrastructure |
| States | All India |
| Gender | All |
| Age Range | 3 — Any years |
| Caste/Category | SC |
| Area | Rural |
| Source | www.myscheme.gov.in ↗ |
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