What happened (2026 Lok Sabha proposal on PM-AJAY continuation)
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment informed the Lok Sabha that the Central Government will continue Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) beyond its current period. The proposal covers continuation from 2026–27 to 2030–31 with an enhanced financial outlay. The policy proposal is linked to an independent evaluation by the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), NITI Aayog.
Government’s evaluation claim (DMEO, NITI Aayog) and scheme outcomes
The DMEO evaluation findings were presented as evidence that PM-AJAY aligns with inclusive and equitable development goals. The evaluation concluded that PM-AJAY improved access to basic infrastructure and services and supported socio-economic advancement in beneficiary villages.
The Lok Sabha reply states that the evaluation reported improvements in areas such as:
• basic infrastructure access
Related current affairs
- Govt facilitates expansion of NCC coverage in SC-concentrated and PM-AJAY areas
- Status of National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) — funds released and SNA-SPARSH onboarding for 2026-27
- District and state-wise details of beneficiaries trained under RSETIs; funds released for RSETI (FY 2021-22 to 2026-27)
- 10.05 crore rural households and 92 lakh women SHGs mapped on DAY-NRLM digital platform
- Cabinet approves continuation of PMAY-G for FY 2024-25 to 2028-29
- PMGSY: 1,31,589 km all-weather rural roads completed in last five years; PMGSY-IV launched