Date: 2026-06-02Category: Press ReleaseState: Union GovernmentCountry: India
Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar to Chair Central Advisory Committee Meeting on PM-AJAY; Focus on Strengthening Socio-Economic Development of Scheduled Castes
**Executive Summary**
The Central Advisory Committee (CAC) will meet on June 3, 2026, to review the progress of the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY). Chaired by Dr. Virendra Kumar, the meeting aims to strengthen socio-economic development strategies for Scheduled Caste (SC) communities. Key objectives include reviewing the scheme's components and planning the development of 32,000 remaining villages under the ‘Adarsh Gram’ initiative.
**Key Points / Main Content**
* **Meeting Agenda and Objectives**
* Review the implementation progress of PM-AJAY since its 2021-22 launch.
* Strategize for enhanced socio-economic development and broader outreach to eligible beneficiaries.
* Identify best practices and address implementation challenges through improved stakeholder coordination.
* **Core Components of PM-AJAY**
* **Adarsh Gram:** Focused on convergent development interventions in selected villages.
* **Grant-in-Aid:** Providing financial support for individual and community development.
* **Hostel Component:** Facilitating residential facilities for SC students.
* **Current Achievements (Since 2021-22)**
* Over 2.56 lakh beneficiaries supported via the Grant-in-Aid component.
* 14,080 villages successfully developed as Adarsh Grams.
* More than 10,600 beneficiaries covered under the Hostel component.
* **Future Focus and Strategic Goals**
* Developing approximately 32,000 additional villages to achieve ‘Adarsh Gram’ status.
* Strengthening employment and skilling through partnerships with industry, government agencies, and institutes.
* Enhancing monitoring mechanisms and community participation to maximize developmental outcomes in SC-majority areas.
**Impact Analysis**
**Scheduled Caste (SC) Communities**
**Impact:** Improved quality of life through better village infrastructure, increased access to education via hostels, and enhanced employment opportunities through skilling.
**Action Required:** Eligible members should engage with the scheme’s outreach programs to utilize grants and training facilities.
**State and Union Territory Governments**
**Impact:** Direct involvement in the execution of development projects and the responsibility to meet the milestone of 32,000 new Adarsh Grams.
**Action Required:** Senior officials and Ministers must participate in the review meeting and ensure timely implementation of projects at the ground level.
**Union Ministries and NITI Aayog**
**Impact:** Required to provide policy guidance and ensure inter-ministerial convergence for effective scheme delivery.
**Action Required:** Representatives from Finance, Agriculture, Rural Development, and other departments must collaborate to address implementation bottlenecks and provide strategic recommendations.
Key Entities Referenced
Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY): A comprehensive scheme aimed at the socio-economic development of Scheduled Caste (SC) communities through components like Adarsh Gram, Grant-in-Aid, and hostels.
Central Advisory Committee (CAC): The committee responsible for reviewing the progress, implementation strategies, and policy guidance for the PM-AJAY scheme.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment: The nodal Union Ministry responsible for the implementation and oversight of welfare schemes for Scheduled Castes, including PM-AJAY.
Dr. Virendra Kumar: The Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment and Chairperson of the Central Advisory Committee.
Adarsh Gram: A major component of PM-AJAY focused on the convergent development of villages with a high Scheduled Caste population.
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar to Chair
Central Advisory Committee Meeting on PM-
AJAY; Focus on Strengthening Socio-Economic
Development of Scheduled Castes
Central Advisory Committee Meeting on PM-AJAY to review
progress and strengthen socio-economic development of
Scheduled Castes
Posted On: 02 JUN 2026 7:58PM by PIB Delhi
A meeting of the Central Advisory Committee (CAC) for the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday
Yojana (PM-AJAY) will be held in hybrid mode at 4:00 PM on 03.06.2026 (Wednesday) at Manthan Hall
(Room No.8606), 8th Floor, GPOA-3, Netaji Nagar, New Delhi, under the chairmanship of Dr. Virendra
Kumar, Hon'ble Union Minister of Social Justice and Empowerment and Chairperson of the Central
Advisory Committee.
The meeting will review the progress of PM-AJAY and deliberate on strategies for enhancing the socio-
economic development of Scheduled Caste (SC) communities across the country. Discussions will focus
on strengthening the implementation of the scheme and ensuring that its benefits reach a larger number of
eligible beneficiaries.
The meeting will be attended by State Cabinet Ministers, senior officials from States and Union
Territories, the Chairperson of the National Commission for Scheduled Castes, representatives of key
Union Ministries including Finance, Agriculture and Farmers Welfare, Rural Development, Women and
Child Development, NITI Aayog, and other members of the Central Advisory Committee.
The Committee is expected to undertake a comprehensive review of the three components of PM-AJAY,
namely Adarsh Gram, Grant-in-Aid, and the Hostel Component. Particular emphasis will be placed on
identifying best practices, addressing implementation challenges, and enhancing coordination among
stakeholders for effective delivery of scheme objectives.
Since its launch in 2021-22, PM-AJAY has benefited a large number of Scheduled Caste communities
across the country. More than 2.56 lakh beneficiaries have been supported under the Grants-in-Aid
component, over 10,600 beneficiaries have been covered under the Hostel component, and 14,080 villages
have been developed as Adarsh Grams, improving the quality of life of lakhs of Scheduled Caste residents
through convergent development interventions. These achievements reflect the collective efforts of the
Centre, States, Union Territories, and implementing agencies.
The deliberations will also focus on achieving the mile stone of ‘Adarsh Gram’ for around 32,000
remaining villages selected under the scheme, strengthening skilling and employment through building
effective partnerships with industry, Govt. agencies & skilling institutes, expanding the outreach of thescheme, promoting community participation, ensuring timely implementation of projects, and
strengthening monitoring mechanisms to maximize developmental outcomes in SC-majority areas.
The meeting is expected to provide valuable policy guidance and recommendations for further
strengthening the implementation of PM-AJAY and accelerating socio-economic progress among
Scheduled Caste communities across India.
***
SM/AJ
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