Under the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY), 29,851 villages have been selected since 2018-19, with 36,896 development projects implemented, benefiting over 41 lakh individuals, Union Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Ramdas Athawale, informed the Rajya Sabha on Wednesday.

Launched in 2021-22, PM-AJAY is crucial in improving the socio-economic conditions of villages with a significant Scheduled Caste (SC) population. The scheme, which replaced the Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), focuses on the holistic development of selected areas to raise living standards.

Villages with over 40% SC population and a total population of 500 or more are eligible for inclusion. The initiative tracks 50 socio-economic development indicators across ten key areas, including drinking water, sanitation, education, health, rural infrastructure, housing, electricity, agriculture, financial inclusion, digitization, and skill development.