Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has evaluated the impact of its flagship education and skill development schemes aimed at improving educational outcomes, employment opportunities and sustainable livelihoods for marginalised communities across the country.

The Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY) has been evaluated by the Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), NITI Aayog, covering all three components of the scheme, namely Adarsh Gram, Grants-in-Aid and Hostels. The evaluation assessed the relevance, effectiveness and outcomes of the scheme across multiple States and found that PM-AJAY is aligned with national development priorities and has contributed to improvements in basic infrastructure, educational access and socio-economic conditions of Scheduled Caste communities. As per the evaluation report, access to the hostel component of PM-AJAY has led to increased continuation rates in higher secondary and college education, particularly for girls, by addressing challenges such as long commuting distances and unsafe travel.

As on December 2025, a total of 911 hostels for 74,749 beneficiaries have been sanctioned under PM-AJAY. State-wise details of hostels sanctioned, completed and beneficiaries covered are given at Annexure-I.

The impact of the Scheme for Residential Education for Students in High Schools in Targeted Areas (SHRESHTA) has been assessed through a third-party evaluation conducted by the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR). The evaluation indicates improved student retention, reduced dropout rates, higher pass percentages, enhanced educational aspirations and a reduction in caste and gender gaps among Scheduled Caste students. The third-party evaluation covered 41 districts across six geographical regions of the country.

As on December 2025, the evaluation reported 15,816 beneficiaries nationwide during 2023-24, of which 4,135 students (26 per cent) were covered under Mode-I, and 11,681 students (74 per cent) under Mode-II of SHRESHTA. While the evaluation does not provide State/UT-wise outcome indicators, the number of private residential schools under Mode-I and the number of school and hostel projects run by NGOs/VOs under Mode-II, along with beneficiary details, are given at Annexure-II and Annexure-III respectively.

The impact of the Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalata Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana (PM-DAKSH) has also been assessed. Evaluation findings indicate strong relevance and learning effectiveness, with over 90 per cent of beneficiaries reporting alignment of training with career goals, local labour market needs and achievement of intended learning outcomes. The evaluation highlights significant non-material gains such as improved confidence, self-esteem and social recognition, particularly among women and marginalised groups. Sustainability outcomes are also positive, with most beneficiaries continuing to use acquired skills, expecting long-term income growth, reinvesting in development and demonstrating the ability to maintain improvements independently.

[This information was given by the Minister of State for Social Justice and Empowerment, Shri Ramdas Athawale, in a written reply in the Rajya Sabha today.]

Annexure-I
State-wise hostels sanctioned under PM-AJAY (2007-08 to December 2025)

Annexure-II*
Mode-I: Private Residential Schools and beneficiaries under SHRESHTA (last five years)

Annexure-III

Mode-II: NGO/VO school & hostel projects and beneficiaries under SHRESHTA (last five years)

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S.M