1

PM-JANMAN: PROGRESS REPORT

Context: The Ministry of Tribal Affairs provided a status update in the Rajya Sabha regarding the Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan.

What is PM‑JANMAN?

• Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM‑JANMAN) is a mission to improve socio‑economic conditions of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) through 11 critical interventions implemented by 9 line ministries, with the Ministry of Tribal Affairs as the nodal ministry.

• The Union Cabinet approved an outlay of about Rs 24,104 crore (central and state share combined) for 2023–2026 to saturate PVTG households and habitations with housing, drinking water, sanitation, education, health, connectivity and livelihoods.

Coverage and targeting

• The Ministry has undertaken a habitation‑level data collection exercise using a PM Gati Shakti mobile application to estimate PVTG population and infrastructure gaps to be covered under PM‑JANMAN.​
• Based on this exercise, targets are framed in terms of PVTG households and habitations to be saturated with specified services, rather than as open‑ended schemes.

Physical progress reported (up to 31 Dec 2025)

The Rajya Sabha Starred Question No. *130 (answered on 11.02.2026) provides an annexure summarising mission‑wide progress under various components as of 31.12.2025. The detailed table is itemised ministry‑wise, but one major indicator explicitly updated later (as of 9 February 2026) is housing:

• Under the housing intervention (implemented via Ministry of Rural Development), 4.90 lakh houses have been allocated to states under PM‑JANMAN.
• Out of these, more than 4.76 lakh houses have been sanctioned, and more than 2.61 lakh houses have already been completed as on 09.02.2026.​

For illustration, the PIB also gives state‑specific examples such as Maharashtra, where 54,236 houses were sanctioned and 13,754 completed by late November 2025, along with progress on roads and mobile medical units.​

Implementation and monitoring arrangements

·        The Ministry of Tribal Affairs is regularly reviewing implementation with state governments and district administrations for effective roll‑out of PM‑JANMAN.

·        A digital dashboard on the PM GatiShakti portal has been developed to monitor works under PM‑JANMAN, enabling near real‑time tracking of physical and financial progress.

·        A Project Monitoring Unit has been established in the Ministry of Tribal Affairs to coordinate with line ministries and states/UTs.

·        States are required to comply with Department of Expenditure instructions on SNA‑SPARSH and the General Financial Rules for financial management of PM‑JANMAN funds.

·        Connectivity (roads): Mission‑wide target: 8,000 km of roads for PVTG habitations under PM‑JANMAN.  Physical progress: 1,196 km of roads completed (as of 31 December 2025 / early 2026).

·        Health (Mobile Medical Units – MMUs): Target: 1,000 MMUs, with the note that 750 MMUs are sufficient to cover all PVTG habitations. Physical progress: 750 MMUs have been operationalised so far.

How this fits into the broader policy context

·        PM‑JANMAN operational guidelines specify processes for planning, convergence and approvals, including roles of state tribal welfare departments, TRIFED, and a committee chaired by the Mission Director/Joint Secretary in the Ministry.​

·        Complementary interventions under other ministries (rural roads including DA‑JGUA, health outreach, energy access, livelihoods etc.) are being aligned so that PVTG habitations receive bundled benefits rather than fragmented scheme‑wise coverage.

2

PMAY-U 2.0: THE 6TH CSMC MEETING

Context: The Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) approved an additional 2.88 lakh houses, taking the total sanctions under PMAY-U 2.0 to 13.61 lakh.

What the 6th CSMC meeting decided

·        The CSMC, chaired by the Secretary, Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), sanctioned about 2,87,618 houses in this single tranche, covering multiple states and Union Territories.

·        These new sanctions are spread across three main verticals of PMAY‑U 2.0:

o   Beneficiary Led Construction (BLC) – around 1.66 lakh units (self‑built or incremental housing).

o   Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) – about 1.09 lakh units via public–private partnerships.

o   Affordable Rental Housing (ARH) – about 12,846 units targeting urban migrants, working women, and low‑income groups.

What is Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC)?

·        The Central Sanctioning and Monitoring Committee (CSMC) is a high‑level inter‑ministerial body set up under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY‑U / PMAY‑U 2.0) to approve and oversee housing projects across India.

Other key points discussed in the meeting

·        The CSMC also cleared a few Demonstration Housing Projects (DHPs) using modern, cost‑effective construction technologies (each project consisting of 40 dwelling units) in select states like Chhattisgarh, Puducherry, and Rajasthan, to showcase faster, durable and affordable urban housing.

·        The Committee emphasised project‑localisation near mass‑transit corridors and greater focus on rental‑housing models to support urban informal‑sector workers and migrants, in line with the expanded “PMAY‑U 2.0” framework.

3

EDUCATION: DISTRICT-LEVEL STEM HOSTELS FOR GIRLS

·        Context: To address the gender gap in higher education, the government announced in Budget 2026‑27 speech, the establishment of one dedicated girls' hostel in every district specifically for STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) students.

·        The scheme is framed as a nationwide infrastructure‑plus‑gender‑equity intervention, to cover all over 800 districts and improve access, safety and retention of girls in STEM higher education

What “district‑level STEM hostel for girls” means

·        The government intends to set up at least one dedicated girls’ hostel per district, usually located near or within STEM‑focused higher‑education institutions, with designs including 24x7 security, study rooms, Wi‑Fi, and basic recreational facilities.

·        The hostels will be created through Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and direct capital support from the Centre, working with state governments and institutions such as IITs, NITs, IISERs, and state universities.

What is Viability Gap Funding?

·        Viability Gap Funding (VGF) is a government capital‑grant mechanism designed to make otherwise economically essential but commercially unviable infrastructure projects financially feasible, especially when they are being implemented through Public–Private Partnerships (PPPs)

Rationale behind the STEM‑focus

·        The Budget speech emphasised that STEM institutions involve long hours of study, laboratory work and late‑night return journeys, which disproportionately deter girls from rural and semi‑urban areas from continuing higher education.

·        By providing safe, affordable, district‑level hostel accommodation, the government aims to:

·        Cut distance‑ and safety‑related attrition of girls.

·        Increase their enrolment and retention in engineering, science and technology programmes.

·        Align with NEP‑2020’s goal of equity and inclusion in higher education, especially for women in technical disciplines

Gender‑budget

• The hostel‑per‑district plan is part of a larger increase in the Gender Budget (to about 9.37% of total budgetary provision in FY 2026‑27), with the Department of Higher Education featuring prominently in the Gender Budgeting Statement.

Implementation challenges

       Commentators have also flagged implementation challenges:

·        Land‑acquisition and timely construction in 800+ districts.

·        Ensuring quality of security, sanitation, and ancillary facilities.

·        Avoiding “hostel‑only” approach without parallel support in career‑counselling, scholarships, and STEM‑teaching quality.

4

WFP INDIA COUNTRY BRIEF

Context: The World Food Programme (WFP) officially handed over a women-led Take Home Ration (THR) unit in Jaipur to the Rajasthan Government.

What is Take Home Ration (THR)?

• THR is a key component of India's Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) scheme, managed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• It provides nutritious, fortified supplementary food (often in the form of energy-dense blended foods, micronutrient-fortified mixes, or ready-to-eat items) that beneficiaries take home rather than consume on-site at Anganwadi Centres.
• Primary recipients:
• Children aged 6–36 months (or up to 6 years in some cases).
• Pregnant and lactating women (PLW).
• Sometimes adolescent girls.
• Goal: Bridge nutritional gaps, combat malnutrition (stunting, wasting, anemia), improve infant and young child feeding (IYCF) practices, and support maternal health.

Details on the Handover

Background: WFP India, in collaboration with the Rajasthan Government (and possibly earlier pilots in Jaipur district from 2020–2023 focused on improving IYCN through ICDS), established or supported the setup of this decentralized THR production unit.

Women-led aspect: The unit is operated/run by a women's self-help group (SHG) or women's microenterprise. This empowers local women economically by:

1.      Providing training in food production, hygiene, food safety, and standard operating procedures.

2.      Creating sustainable livelihoods and income generation.

3.      Integrating SHGs into the ICDS supply chain (similar to models praised in states like Uttar Pradesh).

5

PRESIDENT DROUPADI MURMU’S ADDRESS TO PARLIAMENT (BUDGET SESSION OPENING – POLICY FRAMEWORK FOR FEBRUARY DEVELOPMENTS)

The President delivered the key constitutional address outlining the government’s vision, explicitly eulogising “true social justice” (every citizen’s full rights without discrimination, rooted in Ambedkar’s ideals) and the performance of flagship welfare schemes for vulnerable sections (poor, women, Dalits, tribals, PwD, backward classes).

Poverty & Hunger Reduction (Core Performance Metrics Praised):

·        25 crore citizens lifted out of poverty in the last decade (accelerated in the third term).

·        Social security coverage expanded from 25 crore (2014) to ~95 crore citizens today.

·        Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of >₹6.75 lakh crore to beneficiaries in the last year alone.

Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections (Eulogised for Reach & Impact):

·        Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY): 4 crore pucca houses built for the poor in the decade; 32 lakh new houses handed over in the last year.

·        Jal Jeevan Mission: 12.5 crore households provided piped water (1 crore new connections last year).

·        Ujjwala Yojana: >10 crore LPG connections; rapid progress in the last year (priority to women beneficiaries).

·        PM JANMAN & Dharti Aaba Janjatiya Gram Utkarsh Abhiyan (tribals/most-deprived): >20,000 villages developed; ~2.5 lakh houses built; combined outlay >₹1 lakh crore.

·        Scheduled Caste Scholarships: >₹42,000 crore disbursed in 11 years, benefiting nearly 5 crore SC students.

·        Women Empowerment: 10 crore women linked to Self-Help Groups (SHGs); >2 crore “Lakhpati Didi”; Namo Drone Didi initiative. Swasth Nari, Sashakt Parivar campaign screened ~7 crore women.

Health (Human Resources & Vulnerable Access):

• Ayushman Bharat: >11 crore free treatments nationwide (2.5 crore in the last year alone); 1.8 lakh Ayushman Arogya Mandirs for doorstep care.
• Vay Vandana Cards for ~1 crore senior citizens (8 lakh inpatient treatments).
• Sickle Cell Anaemia Elimination Mission: Screening of >6.5 crore citizens (tribal focus). India declared Trachoma-free by WHO.

Education & Tribal HR Development:

400 Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for quality education to tribal children.

This address framed these as “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas” delivering dignity and empowerment to the last mile.

6

PM NARENDRA MODI’S 131ST MANN KI BAAT (22 FEBRUARY 2026)

The monthly radio address focused on technology, compassion, and awareness rather than new scheme launches, but eulogised health-related humanitarian efforts and AI applications benefiting vulnerable rural/farmer communities and medical research.

Health & Vulnerable Sections (Organ Donation Eulogised): PM Modi highlighted the noble act of organ donation as a life-saving measure for those in need, praising the parents of 10-month-old Aalin Sherin Abraham (Kerala) who donated her organs after her passing. He noted rising awareness is “helping those who are in need” and strengthening medical research. Other examples (heart/lung/kidney transplant recipients achieving feats) were cited to inspire. He commended all such donors: “A single noble act can change the lives of countless people.” (Direct tie to health access for vulnerable patients awaiting transplants.)

Human Resources & Education (AI Applications Praised):

·        AI tools showcased at the Global AI Impact Summit (Feb 2026) for animal healthcare and farmer tracking (Amul booth example) – helping rural vulnerable sections.

·        AI for preserving ancient Indian manuscripts/texts (e.g., Sushrut Samhita), making them readable, translatable, and accessible for modern education/generation. Three “Made in India” AI models launched.

No direct references to poverty/hunger schemes or traditional welfare metrics in this episode.

7

PM NARENDRA MODI’S REMARKS ON UNION BUDGET 2026-27

Immediately after FM Nirmala Sitharaman’s presentation, the PM called the Budget “historic” and a “highway of immense opportunities” reflecting “strong empowerment of the nation’s women power.” He eulogised its human-centric focus and women-led development:

·        Modern ecosystem for >10 crore women in SHGs to ensure “prosperity reaches every household.”

·        New hostels for girl students in every district (enhanced education access for vulnerable girl children).

·        Overall thrust on skill, entrepreneurship, and inclusion for youth, women, and disadvantaged groups toward Viksit Bharat.

The Budget itself (context of these speeches) allocated modestly higher resources to health (NHM & Ayushman Bharat up), education (Samagra Shiksha), and announced targeted schemes such as Divyang Kaushal Yojana (skilling for PwD in IT/AVGC/hospitality) and Divyang Sahara Yojana (assistive devices/support).

8

PM RAHAT SCHEME (PRADHAN MANTRI – ROAD ACCIDENT VICTIMS’ HOSPITALISATION AND ASSURED TREATMENT)

Provides cashless treatment up to ₹1.5 lakh for road accident victims during the “golden hour.” Notified under Motor Vehicles Act; aims to save lives of vulnerable sections without financial barriers.

PM RAHAT Scheme: At a Glance

Key Objectives

1.      Save Lives in Golden Hour: Address the critical fact that ~50% of road accident deaths can be prevented if victims receive hospital care within the first hour after injury.

2.      Remove Financial Barriers: Ensure no victim (especially from vulnerable sections) is denied treatment due to inability to pay upfront.

3.      Financial Certainty for Hospitals: Guarantee timely reimbursement (within 10 days) to encourage uninterrupted emergency care.

4.      Universal Coverage: Apply to all roads (national highways, state roads, urban streets) and all victims regardless of income, age, or vehicle type.

Salient Features

1. Cashless Treatment Coverage

·        Amount: Up to ₹1.5 lakh per victim.

·        Duration: Maximum 7 days from the date of accident.

·        Scope: Covers emergency stabilization, trauma care, surgeries, ICU, diagnostics, and essential medicines.

2. Stabilization Treatment (Immediate Care)

Ensures victims receive immediate stabilization even before full claim processing.

3. Digital Integration & Process Flow

·        ERSS-112 Integration: Victims or Good Samaritans can dial 112 to:

o   Locate nearest designated hospital

o   Request ambulance assistance

o   Trigger police response for authentication.

·        eDAR Platform: Electronic Detailed Accident Report system links police, hospitals, and insurers for seamless data flow.

·        Transaction Management System (TMS 2.0): NHA's platform for fast claim processing and reimbursement.

·        Complete Digital Trail: From accident reporting → hospital admission → treatment → police verification → claim approval → payment.

4. Designated Hospitals

·        Eligibility: All hospitals empanelled under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY that comply with NHA guidelines are deemed designated hospitals.

·        Current Network: ~36,112 hospitals (as of March 9, 2026) automatically covered.

·        No New Empanelment Needed: Leverages existing AB PM-JAY infrastructure for rapid rollout.

Funding & Reimbursement Mechanism

·        Claim Settlement: State Health Agencies approve claims; payment made within 10 days to hospitals.

·        Precedence: PM RAHAT takes precedence over any other central/state accident treatment schemes.

Comparison with Earlier Provisions

9

WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE OBSERVED ON FEBRUARY 20:

Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (DoSJE) organised major programmes (including at Dr. Ambedkar International Centre and National Law University, Dwarka). Featured collective reading of the Preamble to the Constitution, reaffirming justice, equality, and fraternity. Highlighted ongoing schemes like PM-DAKSH, SMILE, free coaching for SC/OBC, and scholarships.

Key Programmes Organized (February 20, 2026)

1. Collective Reading of the Preamble

·        What Happened: Ministers, secretaries, officers, and stakeholders collectively read the Preamble to the Constitution of India in Hindi and English [User Query].

·        Symbolism:

o   Reaffirmed the trinity of Justice, Liberty, Equality, Fraternity as the moral compass of governance.

o   Linked Dr. B.R. Ambedkar's vision (as Chief Architect of the Constitution) to contemporary social justice schemes.

o   Emphasized that social justice is not charity but a constitutional entitlement.

·        Participants: Union Minister Dr. Virendra Kumar, MoSJE Secretary, NCPCR Chairperson, representatives from SC/ST/OBC/Minority communities, civil society, and students.

2. Panel Discussions & Stakeholder Consultations

·        Themes Discussed:

o   "From Welfare to Empowerment: India's Social Justice Journey"

o   "Digital Inclusion for Marginalized Communities"

o   "Skill Development as a Tool for Dignified Livelihood"

·        Key Speakers: Academicians from NLU Delhi, representatives from National Commission for SCs/STs/OBCs, successful beneficiaries of MoSJE schemes.

3. Scheme Showcase & Beneficiary Interactions

·        Live Demonstrations: Digital kiosks displayed real-time data on scheme reach, beneficiary testimonials, and application processes.

·        Success Stories: Beneficiaries of PM-DAKSH, SMILE, and Free Coaching Scheme shared transformational journeys.

10

ENHANCED SUPPORT FOR SC/ST/WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS (ANNOUNCED IN UNION BUDGET 2026-27):

New/revamped scheme targeting 5 lakh first-time women, SC & ST entrepreneurs with term loans up to ₹2 crore + capacity building and handholding (linked to Stand-Up India revamp).

Scheme Objectives

1.      Credit Access for Underserved Groups: Provide collateral-free term loans to first-time entrepreneurs from women, SC, and ST communities who face systemic barriers in formal credit markets.

2.      Scale-Up Support: Move beyond micro-enterprises (₹10 lakh–₹1 crore) to enable medium-scale greenfield projects (up to ₹2 crore).

3.      Capacity Building: Offer online entrepreneurship and managerial skill training to ensure loan utilization efficiency and business sustainability.

4.      Job Creation at Grassroots: Target 5 lakh new enterprises over 5 years (2025–2030), generating employment in tier-2/3 cities and rural areas.

Key Features: At a Glance

Comparison: Original Stand-Up India (2016) vs. New Scheme (2025/2026)

Funding & Credit Guarantee Mechanism

1. Credit Guarantee Fund Scheme for Stand-Up India Loans (CGFSIL)

·        Guarantee Cover: Up to 85% of the loan amount for loans up to ₹50 lakh; 75% for loans between ₹50 lakh–₹2 crore.

·        Guarantee Fee: Reduced to 0.5–1% (from earlier 1.5–2%) to encourage bank participation.

·        Nodal Agency: National Credit Guarantee Trustee Company (NCGTC) under Department of Financial Services.

2. Budgetary Support (2025–26 & 2026–27)

Implementation Architecture

Key Implementation Partners:

·        Banks: All scheduled commercial banks (public + private) mandated to participate.

·        MSME-DIs: District Industries Centres for ground-level facilitation.

·        Startup India Hubs: For tech-enabled entrepreneurs.

·        NABARD/SIDBI: For agriculture-allied and rural enterprises.

·        Digital Platforms: Stand-Up Mitra portal, Udyam Registration, MSME Samadhaan.

11

SOCIAL SECURITY INITIATIVES FOR GIG/PLATFORM WORKERS (PROMOTED/ANNOUNCED IN FEBRUARY VIA BUDGET AND RELATED DRIVES):

It's NOT a brand-new scheme. It's a targeted extension of two existing flagship programmes:

Core Objectives

1.      Formalize the Gig Economy: Bring ~1 crore gig/platform workers into the formal social security architecture for the first time.

2.      Healthcare Protection: Provide ₹5 lakh per family per year health cover for secondary and tertiary hospitalization, reducing catastrophic health expenditure.

3.      Identity & Portability: Issue Universal Account Number (UAN) via e-Shram + physical ID cards for seamless access to welfare schemes across states/platforms.

4.      Foundation for Future Benefits: Create a database for future rollout of pension, accident insurance, skill upgradation, and maternity benefits under the Code on Social Security, 2020.

Key Components: Detailed Breakdown

1. PM-JAY Health Coverage Extension

What's Covered Under PM-JAY?

·        Hospitalization: Surgery, ICU, medicines, diagnostics, pre/post-hospitalization care.

·        Pre-existing Conditions: Covered from Day 1 (no waiting period).

·        Cashless Treatment: No upfront payment at empanelled hospitals.

·        Portability: Can avail treatment in any state (not just home state).

2. e-Shram Registration & ID Cards

Who Qualifies as a Gig/Platform Worker?

As per Code on Social Security, 2020 (enforced Nov 21, 2025):

·        Gig Worker: Performs work outside traditional employer-employee relationship (e.g., freelance designers, content creators, home tutors).

·        Platform Worker: Gig worker who accesses work via digital platforms/aggregators (e.g., Swiggy/Zomato delivery partners, Uber/Ola drivers, Urban Company service providers).

3. Eligibility Criteria (Draft Rules, Dec 2025)

To access social security benefits (including PM-JAY), gig workers must meet:

Key Implementation Partners:

·        Ministry of Labour: e-Shram registration, eligibility verification.

·        National Health Authority (NHA): PM-JAY rollout, hospital empanelment.

·        Aggregators: Worker data sharing, contribution to Social Security Fund.

·        CSCs (Common Service Centres): Ground-level registration support.

·        Gig Worker Unions/Associations: Awareness campaigns.