**Policy Summary: PMGSY-IV and Tribal Development**
The Ministry of Rural Development is leveraging the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY-IV) in conjunction with the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan to boost tribal development and rural tourism. Launched on September 11, 2024, PMGSY-IV aims to provide all-weather road connectivity to 25,000 unconnected habitations, based on Census 2011 norms. Recognizing the importance of tribal development, PMGSY-IV guidelines prioritize habitations with (1) a population of 500 or more, with at least 50 Scheduled Tribe (ST) members, and (2) habitations with 50 or more ST members in the 250 population category within Aspirational Districts, supporting the Abhiyan's goal of establishing 1,000 homestays.
As of July 28, 2025, 62 road works, covering 296.301 km, have been sanctioned under the Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan for the Union Territory of Jammu and Kashmir. These PMGSY roads are intended to improve access to tribal homestays, promote rural tourism, and create economic opportunities in remote areas. Impact evaluations of PMGSY have demonstrated improved rural incomes and employment, increased mobility and integration of tribal communities, and enhanced participation of women in education and markets. By addressing infrastructure gaps, PMGSY complements initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) and Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, fostering inclusive and sustainable growth for tribal communities.
This information was provided by the Minister of State for Rural Development, Shri Kamlesh Paswan, in a written reply in Rajya Sabha.
Key Entities Referenced
Ministry of Rural Development: The Indian government ministry responsible for implementing rural development programs, including Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSYIV): A rural road connectivity program in India aiming to provide all-weather road access to eligible unconnected habitations.
Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan: An initiative focused on tribal development, converging with PMGSYIV to establish homestays and improve infrastructure in tribal areas.
Census 2011: The most recent census of India, used as a basis for determining eligible habitations under PMGSYIV.
Aspirational Districts: A program by the Government of India to improve the socio-economic status of underdeveloped districts.
Union Territory of Jammu Kashmir: A union territory in India where road works have been sanctioned under Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan and PMGSY.
Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PMJANMAN): A flagship initiative complementing Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan, aimed at the development of tribal communities.
Shri Kamlesh Paswan: Minister of State for Rural Development.
Ministry of Rural Development
BOOSTING TOURISM AND TRIBAL
DEVELOPMENT UNDER PRADHAN MANTRI
GRAM SADAK YOJANA (PMGSY)-IV
Posted On: 01 AUG 2025 3:33PM by PIB Delhi
The Ministry of Rural Development is implementing the road connectivity component of the Dharti Aaba
Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan in convergence with Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)-IV,
which was launched on 11th September 2024. PMGSY-IV seeks to provide all-weather road connectivity to
25,000 unconnected habitations based on Census 2011 norms.
To support tribal development and initiatives such as Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan's target of
establishing 1,000 homestays, the guidelines of PMGSY-IV give priority to habitations that fulfil the
following criteria:
Habitations with a population of 500+ and 50% or more Scheduled Tribe (ST) population
(cid:108)
Habitations with 50 or more STs in the 250+ population category in Aspirational Districts
(cid:108)
A detailed ground-level survey has been conducted for the preliminary identification of eligible habitations
under PMGSY-IV. As of 28 July 2025, 62 road works covering 296.301 km have been sanctioned under
Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan for the Union Territory of Jammu & Kashmir. The PMGSY
roads will facilitate access to tribal homestays, promote rural tourism, and facilitate economic opportunities in
remote areas.
While PMGSY is not a scheme targeted at individual communities, its impact in tribal regions has been
substantial. Improved road connectivity has enhanced access to:
Markets, enabling better prices for tribal produce and forest goods
(cid:108)
Healthcare, reducing travel time and increasing institutional deliveries.
(cid:108)
Education, by improving access to schools and hostels
(cid:108)
Government services, including banking, social security, and e-governance
(cid:108)
Several independent impact evaluations have concluded that PMGSY has led to:
Improved rural incomes and employment opportunities
(cid:108)
Greater mobility and integration of tribal communities
(cid:108)
Enhanced women’s participation in education and markets
(cid:108)
By bridging the infrastructure gap in remote areas, PMGSY acts as a development multiplier—unlocking the
economic potential of tribal areas and complementing flagship initiatives like Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi
Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) & Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan. The Ministry
continues to work with State Governments to ensure that the benefits of connectivity translate into inclusive
and sustainable growth for tribal communities.
This information was given by Minister of State for Rural Development Shri Shri Kamlesh Paswan in a
written reply in Rajya Sabha today.
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RC/ KSR/AR(Release ID: 2151277)