New Delhi, June 12: The government’s ‘Antyodaya’ mantra has successfully connected India’s most marginalized and disadvantaged communities to the mainstream of inclusive development. The aim is to ensure that those who have lagged behind in the race for progress are brought to the forefront of opportunities and advancement. This information was shared in an official fact sheet released on Friday.
The fact sheet reveals that these efforts are being advanced through the Prime Minister’s Tribal Justice Mission (PM Janman) scheme, which has a budget of ₹24,104 crores. This initiative is specifically designed for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), who are among the most isolated and underprivileged communities in India, many of whom lack basic amenities such as permanent housing, clean drinking water, electricity, and roads.
Launched in November 2023, the PM Janman scheme aims to address these deficiencies through coordinated efforts across various ministries. The program targets 75 PVTG communities residing in 18 states and one union territory, operating through 11 major interventions implemented by nine ministries.
These interventions include housing, road connectivity, piped drinking water supply, mobile medical units, anganwadi centers, hostels, electrification, mobile towers, multi-purpose centers, forest produce development centers, and vocational skill training.
According to the fact sheet, 780,000 permanent houses have been constructed in tribal villages, and clean drinking water has been supplied to over 28,303 villages. Additionally, electricity connections have been provided to 589,812 tribal families, significantly improving their quality of life.
There has been rapid infrastructure expansion in tribal areas, providing more educational opportunities for students from disadvantaged communities. Sanitation workers have received institutional recognition and better security provisions. Furthermore, backward and nomadic communities have also been included in targeted welfare schemes.
The expansion of Eklavya Model Residential Schools over the past 12 years has strengthened the education system in remote tribal areas. Following 2018, these schools have rapidly expanded, allowing Scheduled Tribe communities access to modern residential education closer to their regions. By 2026, over 156,000 students are enrolled in 499 schools, with 323 new schools under construction.
This transformation is also visible at the geographical level. Tribal areas, aspirational districts, and remote settlements have become crucial parts of development plans and monitoring. Improved coordination among various ministries has ensured that benefits reach areas previously considered out of reach.
Similarly, the PM-Ajay scheme, launched in 2021, focuses on the comprehensive development of Scheduled Caste-dominated villages. This initiative empowers marginalized Scheduled Caste communities by promoting infrastructure development, skill training, and employment opportunities.
Under the PM-Ajay scheme, the ‘Adarsh Gram’ component facilitates area-based development of Scheduled Caste-dominated villages. It provides additional support to meet local needs through the coordination of various schemes and village development plans. This program covers 47,334 villages across 597 districts in 26 states, benefiting over 40 million Scheduled Caste citizens and more than 8.3 million families.
The statement further noted that this program has also strengthened planning and infrastructure monitoring at the village level. Over 25,000 villages have been assessed for basic facilities, helping to systematically identify deficiencies in roads, water supply, education, sanitation, and connectivity.
The government has placed special emphasis on youth participation and job creation. Skill development, participation in self-help groups, and infrastructure development in villages are now part of broader efforts to enhance long-term economic participation. The statement concluded that these measures aim to connect marginalized communities with sustainable economic opportunities.
Deependra Singh Chundawat is a Senior Sub-Editor at Udaipur Kiran, specializing in a wide range of technology topics including mobile phones, applications, gaming, PCs, and wearables. Along with covering the latest tech news, he also creates engaging web stories. Passionate about emerging technologies, he stays up to date with the newest trends and enjoys reading and writing about the latest mobile launches and digital innovations.