Launched on April 1, 2016, by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) and implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin is a flagship initiative of the Government of India aimed at providing affordable, pucca (permanent) houses with basic amenities to rural households.
With a mission of "Housing for All," PMAY-G targets houseless families and those living in kutcha (temporary) or dilapidated houses. As of February 2, 2025, 2.69 crore houses have been completed out of a target of 3.79 crore, with plans to construct an additional 2 crore houses by March 2029.
This article covers the scheme's objectives, eligibility, benefits, application process, required documents, and more.
Objectives of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G)
● Provide Pucca Houses: Construct 4.95 crore durable, weather-resistant houses with a minimum area of 25 sq.m, including a kitchen and toilet, for rural households by March 2029.
● Ensure Basic Amenities: Equip houses with essential facilities like electricity (via Saubhagya Scheme), LPG (Ujjwala Yojana), drinking water (Jal Jeevan Mission), and sanitation (Swachh Bharat Mission).
● Target Vulnerable Groups: Prioritize homeless families, those in kutcha or dilapidated houses, and marginalized communities (BPL, SC/ST, disabled, widows, landless laborers) using SECC 2011 and Awaas+ 2024 data.
● Promote Social Equity: Empower women through mandatory joint or sole ownership of houses, fostering gender equality and economic security.
● Enhance Rural Living Standards: Replace unsafe, temporary shelters with permanent structures to improve health, safety, and quality of life.
● Encourage Local Resource Use: Utilize locally sourced, eco-friendly materials (brick, cement) and beneficiary-led construction to boost rural economies and sustainability.
● Ensure Transparency and Efficiency: Implement geo-tagging, AwaasSoft MIS, and Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for accountable fund disbursement and progress monitoring.
● Achieve Universal Rural Housing: Bridge the rural housing gap by providing financial assistance (₹1,20,000-₹1,30,000) and converging with other schemes to ensure no eligible household is left without a pucca house.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for PMAY-G, applicants must meet the following conditions:
● Property Ownership: The applicant or their family must not own a pucca house anywhere in India.
● Housing Condition: Eligible households include those that are houseless or living in zero, one, or two-room kutcha houses with non-concrete walls and roofs, as per the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC) 2011.
● Income: Annual household income should typically be up to ₹1.8 lakh (EWS category), though recent updates allow applicants with monthly incomes up to ₹15,000.
● Residency: Applicants must be permanent residents of India.
● Other Conditions:
○ Households with no literate male above 25 years, no adult members aged 15–59, or disabled members are prioritized.
○ Widows, families of defense/paramilitary/police personnel killed in action, or those with members suffering from leprosy, cancer, or HIV are given additional priority.
● Exclusions: Households owning motorized vehicles, mechanized agricultural equipment, or with government employees are automatically excluded.
Benefits
PMAY-G offers an of financial and non-financial support, tailored to rural realities:
● Financial Assistance:
○ Up to ₹1.3 lakh per beneficiary for house construction, disbursed in instalments to ensure proper use. Beneficiaries can also avail a ₹70,000 loan at a subsidized 3% lower interest rate.
○ ₹12,000 for building a toilet, aligned with SBM-G’s sanitation goals.
○ ₹90.95 daily wages for 95 days of unskilled labour under MGNREGA, often through the Rural Mason Training program, which trains locals in construction skills.
● Subsidies: A 6.5% interest subsidy on home loans through the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS), making borrowing more affordable.
● Convergence Benefits:
○ One free LPG connection per household under Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, reducing reliance on smoky firewood.
○ Access to piped drinking water, electricity, and waste management via programs like Jal Jeevan Mission and Saubhagya Scheme.
● Sustainable Design: Houses are built using locally sourced materials (e.g., bamboo in Assam, stone in Rajasthan) and region-specific designs to withstand local climate challenges like floods or earthquakes. Geo-tagging via the Awaas+ app ensures construction quality.
● Transparent Funding: Funds are transferred directly to Aadhaar-linked bank or post office accounts, minimizing leakages. For instance, a beneficiary in Uttar Pradesh might receive their first ₹50,000 installment after laying the foundation, verified by a geo-tagged photo.
Application Process
PMAY-G relies solely on an offline application process, ensuring accessibility for rural applicants with limited internet access. Beneficiaries are primarily identified through SECC 2011 and the Awaas+ 2024 survey, with Gram Sabhas playing a pivotal role in verification.
● Visit Your Gram Panchayat or Block Development Office: These local offices are the entry points for PMAY-G applications.
● Collect and Fill the Application Form: The form requires details like your name, address, Aadhaar number, income, and housing status. Staff often assist illiterate applicants to ensure accuracy.
● Submit Documents: Attach all required documents (listed below) with the form. Make photocopies, as originals may be needed later.
● Gram Sabha Verification: The application is reviewed during a Gram Sabha meeting, where community members confirm your eligibility (e.g., verifying you live in a kutcha house).
● Approval Process: Post-Gram Sabha, Block and District authorities conduct final checks. Approved applicants receive a sanction letter and funds via DBT.
Required Documents
Accurate documentation is critical to avoid rejection. Prepare the following:
● Identity Proof: Aadhaar Card, Voter ID, PAN Card, Passport, or Driving License. Aadhaar is mandatory. Aadhaar ensures DBT functionality.
● Aadhaar Consent Form: If someone else (e.g., a Panchayat official) submits your application, include a signed consent form allowing Aadhaar use.
● Address Proof: Electricity/water bill, rental agreement, or passport showing your rural address.
● Income Proof: Income certificate from a Tehsildar, salary slips, or latest Income Tax Return (ITR) proving EWS/LIG status.
● Bank Details: Aadhaar-linked bank or post office account passbook with account number and IFSC code.
● MGNREGA Job Card Number: Essential for claiming labour benefits. Register at your Gram Panchayat if you don’t have one.
● Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Registration Number: Needed for the ₹12,000 toilet grant. Obtain this via SBM-G registration.
● Affidavit: A notarized statement declaring you and your family don’t own a pucca house anywhere in India.
● Property Documents (if applicable): Agreement to Sale, Title Deed, No Objection Certificate (NOC) from builder/society, approved construction plan, or valuation certificate for the plot.
● Additional Documents (if applicable):
○ Caste certificate for SC/ST/OBC/Minority status.
○ Disability certificate for priority consideration.
○ Architect’s certificate estimating construction costs (rarely required).
Verification and Approval Process
The journey from application to house construction is methodical:
● Submission: Your form and documents are collected by the Gram Panchayat.
● Eligibility Check: Gram Sabha cross-checks your details against SECC 2011 data and local knowledge. For instance, neighbors might confirm your kutcha house status.
● Sanctioning: Block and District officials finalize approvals. Approved beneficiaries receive funds in 3–4 installments (e.g., ₹50,000 for foundation, ₹40,000 for walls).
● Construction Monitoring: Officials use the Awaas+ app to track progress via geo-tagged photos at stages like plinth, lintel, and roof. Houses must be at least 25 sq.m. and include a toilet.
Delays can occur if documents are incomplete or Gram Sabha meetings are postponed, so follow up weekly with the Panchayat.
Additional Information on Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana - Gramin (PMAY-G)
● Funding Structure: 60:40 Central-State share for plain areas; 90:10 for North-Eastern, hilly states, and Union Territories. The total cost per house includes PMAY-G funds, MGNREGA wages, and convergence scheme contributions.
● Beneficiary Selection Process:
○ Uses Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) 2011 for initial identification.
○ Awaas+ 2024 survey adds eligible households missed earlier.
○ Gram Sabha verifies and finalizes lists to ensure transparency.
● Installment Disbursement:
○ 1st: After foundation laying.
○ 2nd: Up to plinth level.
○ 3rd: Up to lintel level.
○ 4th: On completion, verified via geo-tagging.
(The views, opinions, and claims in this article are solely those of the author’s and do not represent the editorial stance of The Assam Tribune)