Why in the news?

The Government highlighted the progress of welfare initiatives implemented under the Antyodaya approach aimed at ensuring inclusive development of deprived communities.

Antyodaya

Means “rise of the last person”.
Inspired by the philosophy of Mahatma Gandhi.
Focuses on bringing the poorest and most marginalised sections to the forefront of development.

Key Schemes and Initiatives

PM JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan)

Launched: November 2023
Targets 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) across 18 States and 1 UT.
Budget Outlay: ₹24,104 crore.
Implemented through 11 interventions by 9 Ministries.
Interventions include: Housing, Road connectivity, Piped water supply, Mobile medical units, Anganwadi centres, Hostels, Electrification, Mobile towers, Multipurpose centres, Van Dhan Vikas Kendras, and Vocational skilling

Van Dhan Vikas Kendras (VDVKs)

Promote value addition and marketing of forest produce.
Implemented with support from TRIFED.
491 VDVKs operationalised out of 500 targeted.
38,391 PVTG members trained.

PM-JUGA (Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan)

Launched in October 2024.
Convergence of 17 Ministries.
Focuses on tribal-majority villages and PVTG habitations.

Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS)

Residential schools for Scheduled Tribe students from Classes VI-XII.
Established in tribal-dominated areas.
499 schools operational.
323 schools under construction.
Over 1.56 lakh students enrolled.

Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)

Function in 29 States/UTs.
Document and preserve tribal languages, traditions, and indigenous knowledge.
Supported under the TRI-ECE Scheme.

Tribal Freedom Fighter Museums

11 museums sanctioned across 10 States.
4 inaugurated and 7 under construction.
Honour tribal leaders who fought colonial rule.

Janjatiya Gaurav Divas

Observed on 15 November. Marks the birth anniversary of Birsa Munda.

Scheduled Caste Initiatives

PM-AJAY (Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana)

Launched in 2021.
Develops SC-majority villages.
Covers: 47,334 villages, 597 districts, and 26 States Over 4 crore beneficiaries.

DAPSC (Development Action Plan for Scheduled Castes)

Framework for SC-targeted expenditure.
Covers: 38 Ministries/Departments and 239 schemes.

SHREYAS (Scholarships for Higher Education for Young Achievers Scheme)

Launched in 2019.
Benefits SC, OBC and EBC students.
Includes: Top Class Education, Free Coaching, National Overseas Scholarship, and Fellowships.

SHRESHTA (Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas)

Launched in 2022.
Residential education support for SC students (Classes IX-XII).
Admission through NETS.

OBC, DNT (De-notified, Nomadic, and Semi-Nomadic Tribes) and EBC (Economically Backward Classes) Schemes

PM-YASASVI (PM Young Achievers Scholarship Award Scheme for Vibrant India)

Launched in 2021-22.
Covers OBC, EBC and DNT students.
Includes scholarships and hostel facilities.
At least 30% seats reserved for girls.

PM-DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana)

Launched in 2020-21.
Provides free skill training.
Covers SCs, OBCs, EBCs, DNTs, sanitation workers and waste pickers.
Over 2.08 lakh beneficiaries trained.

VISVAS(Vanchit Ikai Samooh aur Vargon ko Aarthik Sahaita)Yojana

Provides interest subsidy up to 5% on loans.
Promotes entrepreneurship and self-employment.

SEED (Scheme for Economic Empowerment of DNTs)

Launched in February 2022.
Components: Free coaching, Health insurance, Livelihood assistance, and Housing support.

Minority Welfare

PM VIKAS (Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan)

Launched in 2025.
Integrates five previous minority welfare schemes.
Focuses on skill development and entrepreneurship.

Sanitation Workers

NAMASTE (National Action for Mechanised Sanitation Ecosystem) Scheme

Launched in FY 2023-24.
Replaces hazardous manual cleaning with mechanised sanitation.
Since June 2024, also covers waste pickers.

Regional Development

Aspirational Districts Programme

Launched in 2018.
Covers 112 districts.
Focuses on: Health and Nutrition, Education, Agriculture, Financial Inclusion, and Basic Infrastructure

Aspirational Blocks Programme

Launched in 2023.
Covers 500 blocks across 329 districts.

[2019] Consider the following statements about Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) in India:
1. PVTGs reside in 18 States and one Union Territory.
2. A stagnant or declining population is one of the criteria for determining PVTG status.
3. There are 95 PVTGs officially notified in the country so far.
4. Irular and Konda Reddi tribes are included in the list of PVTGs.
Which of the statements given above are correct?

[A] 1, 2 and 3

[B] 2, 3 and 4

[C] 1, 2 and 4

[D] 1, 3 and 4

Antyodaya in Action