Scheme for Development of Minorities (Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram)
Current Affairs & Government Schemes › Schemes for SC/ST/OBC/Minorities and Divyangjan · Topic 15.8
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK) is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs that builds community infrastructure such as schools, health centres, hostels, skill centres and sadbhav mandaps in areas with a high concentration of minority communities. It was restructured in 2018 from the Multi-sectoral Development Programme, which began in 2008-09 for 90 minority concentration districts. The scheme covers the six notified minorities, namely Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains and Parsis (Zoroastrians), and uses minority concentration areas identified on the basis of population share and socio-economic backwardness, with about 1,300 such areas in 308 districts, as reported.
5 min read · UPSC Prelims · Current Affairs & Government Schemes · Schemes for SC/ST/OBC/Minorities and Divyangjan
At a Glance
- Ministry Minority Affairs, created 29 January 2006
- Scheme Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK)
- Earlier name Multi-sectoral Development Programme, 2008-09
- Restructured 2018
- Minorities Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis
- Type Centrally sponsored, area-based
- Exam link UPSC Prelims, Current Affairs and Government Schemes: Schemes for SC/ST/OBC/Minorities and Divyangjan
Where Does It Fit?
This topic is the main development scheme for minority communities. It follows the tribal schemes and is followed by the schemes for persons with disabilities. Previous topic: PM-JANMAN (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups). Next topic: Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) for Divyangjan.
What Does PMJVK Do and Who Counts as a Minority?
| Feature | Details |
|---|---|
| Ministry | The Ministry of Minority Affairs, created on 29 January 2006 by splitting the earlier social welfare ministry |
| Notified minorities | Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Zoroastrians (Parsis) under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992, and Jains, added in 2014 |
| Earlier scheme | The Multi-sectoral Development Programme began in 2008-09 in 90 minority concentration districts and was extended to blocks and towns |
| Restructuring | In 2018 it was revamped as PMJVK, with a focus on blocks, towns and clusters of villages, in line with the aim of equal development |
| Selection of areas | Areas with at least 25 per cent minority population and socio-economic and basic amenity indicators below national average, as reported |
| Assets built | School buildings, ITIs and polytechnics, hostels, health centres, skill centres, drinking water, sanitation and sadbhav mandaps |
How Is It Funded and What Are the Safeguards?
- Pattern: a centrally sponsored scheme, with demand-driven fund release against state proposals, and a larger central share for special category states
- Earmark: the Prime Minister’s 15-Point Programme asks that 15 per cent of targets and outlays in several schemes go to minorities, and a share of PMJVK is earmarked for women
- Priority: a large share of resources must be used in education, health and skill development
- Reach: about 1,300 minority concentration areas in 308 districts across 32 states and Union Territories, as reported in 2020-21
- Reduced allocation: allocations to PMJVK were reduced in the Union Budget of 2023-24, as reported, so the pace of new projects slowed
- Scholarships: pre-matric coverage was restricted to Classes 9 and 10 from 2022-23, as stated in replies to Parliament, and critics said fresh scholarships have stopped
- Skill schemes: skilling programmes were folded into a new umbrella scheme in 2023, called PM VIKAS, as reported
- Education link: see Nai Manzil Scheme (Minority Education and Skilling) for a school-to-skill scheme for minority youth
What Else Should You Remember?
- Constitutional base: Articles 29 and 30 protect the cultural and educational rights of minorities, and Article 350A and 350B deal with linguistic minorities
- National Commission for Minorities: set up under the 1992 Act, it looks into complaints and advises the Government
- Sachar Committee: a 2006 committee on the social, economic and educational status of Muslims led to the Multi-sectoral Development Programme
- Waqf: Waqf properties are regulated by a separate law, and the Waqf (Amendment) Act of 2025 changed rules for their management, as reported
- Link to education: minority institutions get protection under Article 30 and the Right to Education law has special rules for them
- Link to scholarships: see Post-Matric and Pre-Matric Scholarship Schemes for SC/ST/OBC Students for the schemes of other social groups
- Criticism: unequal spread of assets, slow construction, cuts in allocation and the use of religion-based area targeting that some critics question
- Defence of the scheme: supporters argue that area-based assets reach all residents in the area, and not only minority families
- Challenges: poor data on small minorities such as Parsis, weak state capacity and low awareness
- Way forward: outcome tracking, restore funds for education and skills, and strengthen state planning with updated Census data
Why Does It Matter for the Exam?
- Ministry and year: Minority Affairs, created in 2006
- Six minorities: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Jains, Parsis
- Jains: notified in 2014
- History: Multi-sectoral Development Programme to PMJVK in 2018
- Common errors: leaving out Jains or Parsis, or placing the scheme under Social Justice
As an analytical point, area-based assets help whole communities, but results depend on continued funding and on quality of local planning. Cuts in allocation can reverse the gains of earlier years.
Why Is This Topic Important?
- Prelims Notified minorities and scheme history are asked
- Mains Minority welfare and inclusive growth
- Linkage Joins Sachar Committee, Articles 29 and 30 and education policy
What Came Next?
The next topic covers a campaign for accessibility for persons with disabilities. Next topic: Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) for Divyangjan.
Key People and Terms
- PMJVK Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram
- MsDP Multi-sectoral Development Programme
- Minority concentration area Area with high minority population
- Sadbhav Mandap Community hall
- NCM National Commission for Minorities
- 15-Point Programme Targets for minorities
Exam Corner
Points to Remember
- Ministry created 29 January 2006.
- Six notified minorities, with Jains added in 2014.
- MsDP began 2008-09; PMJVK from 2018.
- About 1,300 areas in 308 districts, as reported.
- 15-Point Programme sets 15 per cent targets.
Do Not Confuse With
- PMJVK and Nai Manzil Infrastructure in minority areas versus education and skills for youth
- National Commission for Minorities and National Commission for Backward Classes Religious minorities body versus backward classes body
- PMJVK and MsDP The 2018 scheme versus its 2008 predecessor
Memory Hook
Six minorities, one ministry, one area scheme: MsDP became PMJVK.
Mains Angle
Questions ask about minority welfare. These points give a balanced frame.
- Rationale Backwardness in minority areas
- Gaps Funding cuts and scholarship narrowing
- Way forward Outcomes, data and funds
A Question You May Face
An original practice question, not a past paper question.
“Discuss the rationale and limits of area-based development for minority communities in India.”
How to Answer
- Intro Explain PMJVK and history.
- Rationale Sachar findings and amenity gaps.
- Limits Cuts, targeting and data.
- Way Outcome tracking and funds.
GS Relevance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram?
PMJVK is a centrally sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs that builds community infrastructure such as schools, hostels, health centres and skill centres in minority concentration areas. It was restructured in 2018 from the Multi-sectoral Development Programme that began in 2008-09.
Which ministry runs PMJVK?
The Ministry of Minority Affairs runs the scheme, with state and Union Territory governments preparing proposals and executing projects. The ministry was created on 29 January 2006 and also deals with scholarships, skill programmes and the National Commission for Minorities.
Which communities are notified as minorities in India?
Six communities are notified as minorities under the National Commission for Minorities Act, 1992: Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists and Zoroastrians, called Parsis, along with Jains, who were added in 2014. States may also recognise language minorities within their territory.
Which areas are covered under PMJVK?
The scheme covers minority concentration areas identified by minority population share, reported at 25 per cent or more, and socio-economic and amenity indicators below the national average. About 1,300 areas in 308 districts of 32 states and Union Territories were reported in 2020-21.
What is the latest status of PMJVK?
The scheme continues, but allocations were reduced in the Union Budget of 2023-24, as reported, and several minority scholarships were narrowed after 2022-23. Current guidelines and budget figures should be checked with the Ministry of Minority Affairs and Union Budget documents.
PYQ Practice — Statement Analysis
1 The Ministry of Minority Affairs was created in 2006.
The date was 29 January 2006.
2 Jains were notified as a minority in 2014.
They became the sixth minority.
3 PMJVK was restructured from the Multi-sectoral Development Programme.
The restructuring was in 2018.
4 Buddhists are not among the notified minorities.
They were notified in 1993.
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