Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (PMVKY)

Source: This post on Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (PMVKY) has been created based on the article “Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana” published in PIB on 29th October 2024.

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Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (PMVKY) is a landmark scheme for developing and empowering Tribal Communities in India.

About Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (PMVKY)

1. About: The Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (PMVKY) was launched on October 28, 2014 to address the socio-economic challenges faced by India’s tribal communities, who constitute about 8.9% of the country’s population.

2. Aim: The scheme aims to promote inclusive development by providing financial support and fostering sustainable empowerment for tribal communities. It also focuses on preserving the cultural heritage of these communities.

3. Objectives:

i) The primary objective of the PMVKY is to close socio-economic gaps and provide equitable development opportunities for tribal populations across India.

ii) The scheme focuses on sustainable livelihoods, improved education and healthcare, and cultural preservation, emphasizing that tribal communities should have equal opportunities to thrive.

Six Key Components of PMVKY

1. Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY): The Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY) focuses on the integrated development of 36,428 villages with significant tribal populations. This initiative aims to improve critical infrastructure such as road connectivity, digital access, healthcare, education, and sanitation in these villages.

2. Development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs): This component aims to uplift the most marginalized tribal groups, known as Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs), by enhancing their living conditions and preserving their unique cultural heritage.

The Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission has been launched to improve housing, water access, sanitation, education, and connectivity for PVTGs.

3. Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRI): The scheme provides financial support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs) to facilitate research and documentation related to tribal communities. This support is intended to strengthen the knowledge base concerning tribal cultures, socio-economic challenges, and the impact of various policies, helping state governments create more informed development strategies.

4. Pre-Matric Scholarships: The Pre-Matric Scholarship scheme is designed to support tribal students in grades IX and X from families with a parental income of up to ₹2.5 lakhs.

The program aims to alleviate financial barriers to education, ensuring that students can continue their studies. The central government contributes 75% of the funding for most states, increasing to 90% for North Eastern and hilly states, while Union Territories receive 100% funding from the central government.

5. Post-Matric Scholarships: The Post-Matric Scholarship scheme follows similar terms as the Pre-Matric scheme but is intended for Scheduled Tribe students who pursue education beyond class 10. This support helps ease the financial burden on families, encouraging students to continue their academic journey and achieve higher educational qualifications.

6. Administrative Assistance for Project Management Units: To ensure the effective monitoring and implementation of tribal welfare schemes, PMVKY provides funds to establish project management units within state governments. These units are responsible for overseeing the successful delivery of benefits under PMVKY and ensuring that the intended outcomes are achieved.

UPSC Syllabus: Schemes and programmes