Central government scheme · Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (Department of Social Justice and Empowerment); run through States/UTs
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana
Also called PM-AJAY · Formerly Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY), Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP), Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY)
The Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana is run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment through States and UTs to fund the development of villages with a majority Scheduled Caste population, livelihood and skill projects for Scheduled Caste families, and hostels for Scheduled Caste students. It is for villages where Scheduled Castes make up more than half the population and for Scheduled Caste persons and households, with priority given to families earning up to ₹2.5 lakh a year. Beneficiaries receive gap-filling works for basic infrastructure in selected villages, skill training, and asset-buying help up to ₹50,000 or 50% of the cost through livelihood projects, along with hostel facilities. To apply, there is no national application form, so you must ask the district social welfare or Scheduled Caste development office about projects in your area.
Written by AI from the official details below.
Who can apply for PM-AJAY
- Adarsh Gram: villages where Scheduled Castes are more than half the population.
- Livelihood projects: SC persons and households; no fixed income limit, but families earning up to ₹2.5 lakh a year get priority.
- At least 15% of grants to states must go to income-generating schemes for SC women.
PM-AJAY benefits
- Adarsh Gram: gap-filling works for basic infrastructure and services in selected SC-majority villages.
- Livelihood projects: skill training and help to buy assets; if a loan is taken, up to ₹50,000 or 50% of the asset cost, whichever is less.
- No standalone handing out of individual assets; help comes as part of a larger livelihood project.
- Hostels for SC students in top-ranked higher education institutions and government-funded schools.
How to apply for PM-AJAY
- There is no national application form; projects are designed and run by State/UT governments and district administrations.
- Ask the district social welfare or SC development office about livelihood and skill projects being run under PM-AJAY in your area.
Where it applies
Every state and union territory. See what else applies near you
Checked
Checked against the sources below on 16 October 2026. Rules change, so confirm on the official site before you apply.
- Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojna (PM-AJAY) · Department of Social Justice and Empowerment
- PM-AJAY Guidelines (revised May 2023) · Department of Social Justice and Empowerment
- Year-End Review 2025: Department of Social Justice and Empowerment · PIB / Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
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