New Delhi: Uttar Pradesh has identified the highest number of development works under the Adarsh Gram component of the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY), according to information provided by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment in response to an RTI application.
The data covers four financial years and shows that 1.74 lakh development works have been identified across 13,959 villages in 22 states. Of these, 43,802 works have been completed so far.
Uttar Pradesh accounts for 41,949 identified works, the highest among the states covered. However, 2,282 of these works have been completed, representing a reported completion rate of 5.5%.
Uttar Pradesh Selects 2,093 New Villages in 2025–26
During 2025–26, Uttar Pradesh selected 2,093 additional villages under the initiative and declared 446 villages as Adarsh Gram.
The state was followed by Tamil Nadu and Madhya Pradesh in the number of development works identified:
- Uttar Pradesh: 41,949 development works identified; 2,282 completed.
- Tamil Nadu: 33,881 development works identified; 6,856 completed.
- Madhya Pradesh: 19,924 development works identified; 6,034 completed.
The RTI response also lists 8,642 completed works in Odisha and 6,901 in Karnataka.
Across the country, 13,459 villages have been declared Adarsh Gram over the four financial years. Karnataka recorded the highest number of such declarations in 2025–26, with 792 villages receiving the status.
₹917.22 Crore Released Over Four Financial Years
The RTI response puts the total amount released under the Adarsh Gram component over the four-year period at ₹917.22 crore.
The year-wise figures are:
- 2022–23: ₹51.62 crore
- 2023–24: ₹236.30 crore
- 2024–25: ₹326.10 crore
- 2025–26: ₹303.20 crore
These allocations and releases support development works in villages selected under the scheme.
Which Villages Qualify as Adarsh Gram?
The Adarsh Gram component focuses on villages where Scheduled Castes account for more than 40% of the population and the total population is at least 500.
Village development is assessed across 10 broad sectors through 50 monitorable indicators. These include:
- Drinking water and sanitation
- Education, healthcare and nutrition
- Social security
- Roads, housing and electricity
- Agriculture and livelihood opportunities
- Financial inclusion and skill development
A village qualifies for the Adarsh Gram designation after securing at least 70 out of 100 points against the prescribed indicators and achieving open-defecation-free status.
About the PM-AJAY Scheme
The Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana is a Central Government initiative aimed at improving the socio-economic conditions of Scheduled Caste communities.
Its Adarsh Gram component focuses on integrated village development by addressing gaps in basic infrastructure and essential services. The initiative seeks to improve living conditions in eligible villages through coordinated development interventions.
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