Gujarat forms PM-AJAY state PMU to boost SC welfare scheme delivery
Synopsis
Gujarat has formalised a dedicated Project Management Unit to oversee PM-AJAY, the Centre's flagship SC welfare scheme — a structural move aimed at closing the gap between policy announcement and on-ground delivery for Scheduled Caste communities across the state.
Key Takeaways
Gujarat government has established a State-Level PMU to monitor and evaluate the PM-AJAY scheme for Scheduled Caste welfare.
A departmental resolution was issued on 6 August , following Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment guidelines.
The PMU will include a State Social Justice Lead and State Social Justice Coordinators , with the SC Welfare Department Director as Member Secretary.
A high-level selection committee comprising Secretary-level officials and a Centre representative will oversee PMU appointments.
PM-AJAY has been operational since 2021-22 , formed by merging three earlier SC-focused central schemes.
Recruitment norms for PMU staff are governed by Ministry guidelines issued on 16 June 2025 .
The Gujarat government has decided to establish a State-Level Project Management Unit (PMU) to strengthen the implementation, monitoring, and evaluation of the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY), a central scheme focused on the socio-economic development and empowerment of Scheduled Caste (SC) communities. The decision, formalised through a departmental resolution on 6 August, follows directives issued by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
What the PMU Will Do
The newly constituted unit will serve as a dedicated state-level mechanism to track progress under PM-AJAY, improve inter-departmental coordination, and assess outcomes more systematically. It will also facilitate corrective action wherever implementation gaps are identified.
The PMU will include a State Social Justice Lead and State Social Justice Coordinators. The Director of the Scheduled Caste Welfare Department will serve as the Member Secretary of the unit.
Selection Committee and Governance Structure
A high-level selection committee has been constituted to oversee the appointment of PMU personnel. The committee will comprise senior officials at Secretary level from the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, the concerned officer from the Scheduled Caste Welfare Department, and a representative from the Centre's Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
The move was taken, officials said, under the guidance of Social Justice and Empowerment Minister Dr Pradyuman Vaja and Minister of State Dr Manisha Vakil. Recruitment norms — including staff strength, qualifications, experience, honorarium, tenure, and service conditions — will be governed by Ministry guidelines issued on 16 June this year, along with any subsequent amendments.
About PM-AJAY and Its Scope
PM-AJAY has been in operation since 2021-22, following the merger of three earlier schemes: the Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana, the Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Caste Sub Plan, and the Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana. Its stated objective is to improve socio-economic conditions among Scheduled Caste communities across India.
Key interventions under the scheme include developing SC-dominated villages as Adarsh Grams, funding state- and district-level projects for socio-economic uplift, and providing residential facilities for SC students and beneficiaries.
Impact on Beneficiaries and Administration
For beneficiaries, the government said regular monitoring and evaluation under the PMU would make implementation more result-oriented. For the administrative machinery, the unit provides a structured mechanism to track progress, coordinate activities, and assess the real-world impact of initiatives under the scheme.
Gujarat's move aligns with a broader push by the Centre to institutionalise accountability in welfare scheme delivery. With the PMU now formally in place, the state is expected to report more granular progress data to the Union Ministry going forward.
Point of View
But the real question is whether it shifts outcomes or merely adds a reporting layer. PM-AJAY was itself born from the consolidation of three underperforming schemes in 2021-22 — a restructuring that did not automatically translate into faster village development or better hostel coverage. A PMU is only as effective as the data it generates and the authority it holds to enforce corrective action. Without binding timelines and public outcome dashboards, this risks becoming a coordination committee in all but name.
NationPress
18 Aug 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the PM-AJAY scheme and who does it benefit?
PM-AJAY, or Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana, is a central government scheme operational since 2021-22, formed by merging three earlier programmes targeting Scheduled Caste communities. It funds Adarsh Gram development in SC-dominated villages, district-level socio-economic projects, and residential facilities for SC beneficiaries.
Why has Gujarat set up a State-Level PMU for PM-AJAY?
Gujarat established the PMU to create a dedicated mechanism for monitoring, coordinating, and evaluating PM-AJAY implementation across the state, in line with Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment guidelines. The unit is intended to make delivery more systematic and result-oriented.
Who will be part of the Gujarat PM-AJAY PMU?
The PMU will include a State Social Justice Lead and State Social Justice Coordinators. A high-level selection committee comprising Secretary-level officials from the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, the Scheduled Caste Welfare Department, and a Central Ministry representative will oversee appointments. The SC Welfare Department Director will serve as Member Secretary.
When was the resolution to establish the PMU issued?
The Gujarat government issued the departmental resolution to establish the PMU and constitute the selection committee on 6 August, following a proposal from the Director of the Scheduled Caste Welfare Department and in accordance with Central guidelines.
What guidelines govern the recruitment of PMU staff?
Recruitment norms — covering staff numbers, educational qualifications, experience, honorarium, tenure, and service conditions — are governed by the Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment guidelines issued on 16 June 2025, along with any subsequent amendments issued by the Centre.
