Relevance for Banking, SSC & RBI Grade B exams: Polity & Governance
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is actively working to strengthen the socio-economic empowerment of Scheduled Caste communities through the ‘Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana’ (PM-AJAY). Under PM-AJAY, the Adarsh Gram Yojana has encompassed 47,316 villages, benefiting 47,59,399 citizens nationwide. A total of 46,782 development works have been completed, and 24,133 Village Development Plans (VDPs) have been prepared. Significantly, 16,759 villages have been declared ‘Adarsh Grams,’ reflecting substantial progress in improving infrastructure, basic services, and quality of life in Scheduled Caste-majority villages. For the financial year 2026-27, the Ministry has allocated ₹22.50 crore in central assistance for the construction of three hostel projects, including two for girls, to accommodate 750 students, reinforcing the government’s commitment to promoting educational opportunities for Scheduled Caste youth. Union Minister for Social Justice and Empowerment, Dr. Virendra Kumar, stated that PM-AJAY plays a crucial role in addressing socio-economic disparities and fostering inclusive development through targeted interventions and collaborative efforts to empower Scheduled Caste individuals. The scheme promotes inclusive development by empowering communities through synergy and community participation, and by strengthening grassroots institutions. PM-AJAY comprises three main components: the Adarsh Gram Yojana focusing on holistic development of Scheduled Caste-majority villages through infrastructure creation and community-led planning; the Grant-in-Aid component supporting livelihood generation, skill development, and income-generating activities; and the Hostel component providing financial assistance for the construction and renovation of hostels to enhance educational access for Scheduled Caste students. The Ministry has adopted a robust digital governance framework via the PM-AJAY portal and Ajay mobile application, making the scheme end-to-end online, offering features like VDP preparation, project evaluation, fund monitoring, beneficiary tracking, and geo-tagged reporting to ensure transparency and effective monitoring at every stage.
For Banking, SSC, and RBI Grade B exams, this information is crucial for understanding government schemes aimed at social justice and inclusive development. Aspirants should note the specific figures related to beneficiaries, declared Adarsh Grams, completed development works, and prepared Village Development Plans, as these can be direct questions in General Awareness or Current Affairs sections. The allocation of funds for educational infrastructure, the three main components of PM-AJAY, and the digital governance framework (PM-AJAY portal and Ajay mobile application) highlight the government’s approach to policy implementation and transparency, which are relevant for questions on governance, social sector initiatives, and digital India.
Source: PIB (Press Information Bureau)
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