Sudhir Singh
Updated on June 15, 2026
PM AJAY: Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana, is a centrally-sponsored scheme for Scheduled Caste welfare that merged three older SC development programmes into one in 2021. A new portal and mobile app were launched in 2026, making scheme access and progress tracking easier across 47,000 villages in SC-majority habitations.
If you belong to a Scheduled Caste community and live in one of the scheme’s covered villages, here is what is available to you.
What PM AJAY Merged
Three earlier schemes were merged to create PM AJAY:
Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY): For developing SC-majority villages with convergence of central and state scheme benefits.
Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub-Plan (SCA to SCSP): Funds to states for SC economic development, income generation, and skill training.
Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana: Construction of hostel facilities for SC students.
All three now operate under PM AJAY with unified administration, single portal, and consolidated reporting.
The Three Components Today
Component 1: Adarsh Gram (Model Village) Development: 47,000 SC-majority villages are being developed with roads, electricity, drinking water, sanitation, schools, and healthcare, funded from central and state government convergence. Each village gets a development plan prepared with participation of local Gram Panchayat and SC community members.
Component 2: Income Generation Schemes: Funds released to state SC development corporations to provide grants and subsidies for income-generating activities. This covers land purchase, equipment for small businesses, livestock, and skill training stipends for SC families.
Component 3: Student Hostels: Central funding for construction of SC student hostels at state government schools, colleges, and ITIs. Priority to districts with high SC populations and poor residential infrastructure.
The New Portal and App (2026)
The PM AJAY portal at pmajay.dosje.gov.in now allows:
- Village-level tracking of development work in Adarsh Gram villages
- Fund utilisation reports by state and district
- Beneficiary-level status for income-generation scheme payments
- Grievance registration for SC beneficiaries whose benefits are delayed or denied
The mobile app (available on Android, search “PM AJAY” on Play Store) mirrors the portal with a simpler interface for village-level users.
Who Benefits from PM AJAY
At the village level: All residents of SC-majority Adarsh Gram villages benefit from infrastructure development, roads, water, electricity, regardless of their caste.
For income generation: SC families specifically identified by the state SC development corporation are given individual grants or subsidised loans for small businesses and livelihoods.
For students: SC students who need hostel accommodation to attend secondary school, college, or ITI in a different town benefit from the hostel construction programme.
How to Access Income Generation Benefits Under PM AJAY
This is routed through your state’s SC Development Corporation or the Social Justice and Empowerment Department.
Visit your district Social Welfare Office and ask specifically about PM AJAY Component 2 income generation funds. Bring your caste certificate (SC), Aadhaar, income certificate, and bank passbook.
The district office will tell you which income activities are funded in your area and the application process for the current year’s allocation.
Adarsh Gram Status: Is Your Village Covered?
Check the PM AJAY portal at pmajay.dosje.gov.in. There is a searchable list of all Adarsh Gram villages by state and district. Search for your village to see whether it is included and what development work is funded.
If your village has a high SC population (above 50%) but is not yet in the Adarsh Gram list, your Gram Panchayat can nominate it through the district collector. Contact your gram panchayat secretary for the process.
PM AJAY and Other SC-Focused Central Schemes
PM AJAY works alongside several other SC-targeted programmes that IndianSouls has covered:
The Gharkul Yojana for rural SC housing in Maharashtra is at indiansouls.in/government-scheme/gharkul-yojana/.
For SC entrepreneurs looking at business funding, both Bihar Mukhyamantri Udyami Yojana (which has SC category seats) at indiansouls.in/bihar-mukhyamantri-udyami-yojana-2026/ and PM Vishwakarma Yojana at indiansouls.in/startup/pm-vishwakarma-yojana-guide/ are relevant.
Key Links
PM AJAY portal: pmajay.dosje.gov.in
Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, socialjustice.gov.in
Helpline: 011-23381226 (DoSJE helpline)
📩 If you notice any incorrect data in this guide or wish to share additional information, please write to us at info@indiansouls.in.
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