Pradhan Mantri Vanbandhu Kalyan Yojana (PMVKY)
– A holistic scheme for tribal welfare
What is PMVKY?
Let us begin by understanding the basic idea.
PMVKY is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme — meaning that while the central government provides the major share of funding, states also participate in its implementation.
This scheme is specifically designed for Scheduled Tribes (STs) — the tribal communities of India — with a dual goal:
- To improve their socio-economic conditions, and
- To preserve and protect their rich cultural heritage and identity.
Timeline and Coverage
- The scheme was launched in 2014 and is now approved to continue up to the year 2025–26.
- It has an impressive budget of ₹26,135.46 crore.
- Unlike targeted schemes that focus only on backward districts or limited groups, PMVKY covers all tribal populations and areas with tribal presence across India.
Purpose and Objectives
Now let’s understand the core objectives of PMVKY — what is the scheme trying to achieve?
| Objective | Explanation |
| Improve quality of life in tribal areas | Basic facilities, housing, sanitation, healthcare, etc. |
| Enhance quality of education | Access, infrastructure, scholarships, and educational inclusion |
| Sustainable livelihood for tribal families | Skill training and job opportunities tailored to tribal contexts |
| Bridge infrastructure gaps | Roads, telecom, sanitation — but with focus on quality, not just quantity |
| Preserve tribal culture and heritage | This includes language, rituals, crafts, lifestyle — a key aspect of identity |
The overall approach is not piecemeal, but integrated — where education, health, livelihood, and culture are all addressed together.
Key Components of PMVKY
Let’s now come to the five key components or sub-schemes under PMVKY. Each of these targets a specific aspect of tribal development:
(i) Pradhan Mantri Adi Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAAGY)
This is perhaps the flagship component under PMVKY.
- Focus: Integrated development of tribal villages.
- Coverage: 36,428 villages with substantial tribal population.
- Core Sectors:
- Road and telecom connectivity
- Education (schools, hostels)
- Health (PHCs, immunization)
- Sanitation and hygiene
The idea is to create model tribal villages that are not just administratively better but also provide better quality of life.
(ii) PVTGs Development
PVTG stands for Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups — a subset of STs who are even more marginalized.
- Objective: Focused upliftment of these communities without harming their traditional lifestyles.
- Assistance to states includes:
- Housing support
- Health interventions
- Education access tailored to their context
- Emphasis is on preservation with progress.
(iii) Support to Tribal Research Institutes (TRIs)
TRIs are institutions that study and document tribal cultures, customs, issues, and governance challenges.
- Under PMVKY, states and UTs receive financial support to strengthen TRIs.
- This supports:
- Research and data collection
- Cultural documentation
- Policy inputs for tribal welfare
Knowledge about tribal issues must come from the ground, and this component ensures that.
(iv) Pre-Matric Scholarships
- Target Group: ST students in Classes IX and X
- Type: Centrally Sponsored
- Eligibility: Parental income up to ₹2.5 lakh annually
The aim is to prevent dropouts and keep students in the education system during a critical age.
(v) Post-Matric Scholarships
- Target Group: ST students studying beyond Class X — higher secondary, college, university, etc.
- Helps in pursuing higher education, which is key for long-term empowerment.
Both scholarship schemes remove financial barriers to education, which is often the biggest hurdle for tribal families.
The Bigger Picture: A Holistic Vision
This is not just a scheme, it is a vision document for tribal upliftment.
“You don’t empower communities by handing out benefits — you empower them by integrating development, respecting their culture, and enabling their self-reliance.”
That’s exactly what PMVKY is trying to do — a bottom-up approach, where local needs are respected and addressed through quality interventions.
Conclusion: Why is this important for UPSC?
In the GS-2 syllabus (Governance, Welfare Schemes), tribal welfare is a core theme.
- PMVKY can be used as a model answer for questions related to:
- Tribal development
- Inclusive governance
- Role of education and livelihood
- Preservation of cultural identity
- Targeted interventions like PVTGs
Also relevant for Essay and Ethics — where dignity, inclusion, and respect for diversity are discussed.