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GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
LOK SABHA
STARRED QUESTION NO. 328
TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026
PM-SYM YOJANA IN TRIBAL-DOMINATED DISTRICTS
*328. SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE:
Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to
state:
(a) whether the Government is aware of persistent challenges in
implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PM-
SYM) scheme in tribal-dominated districts of Maharashtra,
including Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Palghar and parts of Nashik and
if so, the details thereof;
(b) whether enrolment of eligible unorganised sector tribal workers
of the said districts under PM-SYM has remained below
projections and if so, the reasons identified therefor;
(c) whether any reports have been received regarding technical and
operational deficiencies at Common Service Centres (CSCs) in the
said districts, including connectivity issues, biometric failures
and delays in processing applications and if so, the details
thereof;
(d) whether low digital literacy, Aadhaar-seeding problems and
inadequate outreach have constrained participation of tribal
workers of the said districts and if so, the reasons therefor;
(e) the corrective measures undertaken including mobile enrolment
camps, local-language awareness drives and capacity-building of
CSC operators by the Government in the said districts; and
(f) whether a time-bound review and simplification of enrolment and
contribution procedures is proposed to ensure wider coverage of
tribal workers in Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof?
MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
(DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)
(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.
* *****STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (f) OF LOK
SABHA STARRED QUESTION NO. 328 FOR 16.03.2026 RAISED BY
SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE REGARDING PM-SYM
YOJANA IN TRIBAL-DOMINATED DISTRICTS.
(a) to (f): The Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM)
scheme was launched in February, 2019 in order to provide old age
protection to the workers of unorganised sector. This is a voluntary
and contributory pension scheme. Under the scheme, a monthly
assured pension of Rs. 3000/- is provided to the unorganised workers
after attaining the age of 60 years. The workers in the age group of
18 to 40 years whose monthly income is Rs. 15000/- or less and not a
member of EPFO/ESIC/NPS (Govt. funded) are eligible to join the
scheme. The monthly contribution amount ranges from Rs. 55/- to Rs.
200/-, depending upon the entry age of the beneficiary. Under the
scheme, 50% monthly contribution is payable by the beneficiary and
equal matching contribution is paid by the Central Government.
Enrolment in the Scheme is done through the Common Service
Centres, with its network of about 4 lakh Centres across the country.
Eligible unorganised workers can also self-enrol through visiting the
portal www.maandhan.in.
The number of beneficiaries enrolled under the Pradhan
Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) scheme is 52,54,217
(including bulk registration of 5,06,603 beneficiaries) as on
12.03.2026. The number of beneficiary registered in the State of
Maharashtra is 6,27,714 (as on 12.03.2026).
The number of beneficiaries enrolled under this scheme in
the tribal-dominated districts of Maharashtra – Gadchiroli, Nandurbar,
Palghar and Nashik are 13,661, 13,994, 15,094 and 36,947
respectively (as on 12.03.2026).
Enrolment under this scheme has been affected by limited
awareness regarding contributory pension schemes among tribal
workers, seasonal and migratory nature of employment among
unorganised workers, irregular income patterns affecting willingness
to make monthly contributions, limited access to banking and digital
infrastructure, preference for immediate income support schemes
over long-term pension benefits and various State run
non-contributory welfare schemes.Factors such as low digital literacy, language barriers and
limited awareness regarding pension benefits have affected
participation levels in some tribal areas. The Government, in
coordination with the States’ Panchayati Raj department, Labour
department and Urban development department is taking steps to
enhance enrolment through targeted outreach activities.
Common Service Centres (CSCs) have a helpline and
technical problem resolution mechanism to resolve connectivity and
biometric issues when they arise.
The steps taken by the Government to strengthen
awareness, simplify enrolment and contribution processes in this
scheme are as follows:
(i) Holding periodic review meeting with States/ UTs.
(ii) Common Services Centres (CSCs) are given incentives on every
eligible person enroled in PM-SYM.
(iii) Launch of new features: Voluntary Exit, Revival Module, Claim
Status, and Account Statement.
(iv) Extension of revival of dormant accounts from 1 year to 3 years.
(v) Two-way integration of PM-SYM and eShram.
(vi) SMS campaign in local languages to create awareness.
(vii) Addressing Chief Secretaries of States regarding enrolment
under PM-SYM scheme.
(viii) Organising a nationwide special registration drive for
enrolment of unorganised workers under PM-SYM scheme as:
Phase I: Urban Areas from 15th January 2026 – 15th
February 2026 already completed.
Phase II: Rural Areas from 16th February 2026 – 31st March
2026.
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