PM-JANMAN Mission: Uplifting Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

The Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM-JANMAN) Mission marks a significant leap towards inclusive development, specifically targeting the upliftment of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) across India. Launched on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, November 15, 2023, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this comprehensive scheme embodies the government’s commitment to social justice and equitable growth. With an allocated budget of approximately ₹24,000 crore over three years (FY 2023-24 to 2025-26), PM-JANMAN aims to saturate PVTG habitations with basic amenities and enhance their socio-economic status, addressing historical disadvantages and ensuring their integration into the national development narrative. This mission is crucial for UPSC, SSC, Banking, and other government exam aspirants to understand, as it highlights key government initiatives for tribal welfare and social inclusion.

Understanding Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs)

PVTGs are sub-categories within Scheduled Tribes identified by their severe socio-economic backwardness. The Dhebar Commission (1973) initially categorized them as ‘Primitive Tribal Groups’ (PTGs), which were later renamed PVTGs in 2006. These groups face unique challenges, making them particularly susceptible to exploitation and marginalization. Understanding their characteristics is vital for appreciating the targeted approach of PM-JANMAN.

• Identification Criteria: PVTGs are identified based on five criteria:

• A pre-agricultural level of technology (e.g., hunting, gathering, shifting cultivation).

• A stagnant or declining population.

• Extremely low literacy rates.

• A subsistence-level economy.

• Geographic isolation.

• Demographics: Currently, there are 75 identified PVTGs residing in 18 States and one Union Territory (Andaman & Nicobar Islands), with a total population of approximately 28 lakhs.

• Challenges Faced: PVTGs often grapple with acute poverty, lack of access to basic infrastructure like roads, electricity, and clean drinking water, poor health indicators, high rates of malnutrition, low educational attainment, and limited livelihood opportunities. Their distinct cultural practices and languages are also vulnerable to erosion.

Key Pillars of PM-JANMAN: A Holistic Development Strategy

The PM-JANMAN Mission adopts a multi-sectoral approach, converging efforts of 11 critical ministries to ensure comprehensive development across 11 key interventions. This integrated strategy aims to address the multidimensional poverty and deprivation faced by PVTGs.

• Housing: Provision of safe and dignified pucca houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) for eligible PVTG families, ensuring protection from elements and improved living conditions.

• Road Connectivity: Construction of all-weather roads connecting PVTG habitations to the nearest major roads under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), facilitating access to markets, schools, and health facilities.

• Electricity Access: Ensuring 100% household electrification for PVTG families, including through solar power where grid connectivity is challenging, improving quality of life and facilitating education.

• Safe Drinking Water: Provision of safe and potable drinking water connections to every household, minimizing water-borne diseases and reducing the burden on women and children who traditionally fetch water.

• Telecom Connectivity: Installation of mobile towers and internet services in remote PVTG areas, bridging the digital divide and enabling access to information, government services, and online education.

• Health and Nutrition: Establishing Mobile Medical Units (MMUs), organizing health camps, setting up Anganwadi Centres for maternal and child nutrition, and ensuring access to primary healthcare services to improve health outcomes.

• Education and Skill Development: Promotion of Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS) for quality education, providing vocational training, skill development programs, and livelihood support to enhance employment opportunities and economic empowerment.

• Livelihood Enhancement: Supporting traditional livelihood practices, providing market linkages for minor forest produce (MFP), promoting entrepreneurship, and facilitating access to credit through Self-Help Groups (SHGs).

• Social Security: Ensuring access to social security schemes like Jan Dhan Yojana accounts, old age pensions, disability benefits, and PM-KISAN for income support and financial inclusion.

• Cultural Preservation: Recognizing and supporting the unique cultural heritage, traditional art forms, and languages of PVTGs, ensuring their identity is respected and preserved.

Implementation and Monitoring Strategy

The successful execution of PM-JANMAN relies on a robust implementation and monitoring framework:

• Multi-Ministerial Convergence: The mission operates through the convergence of schemes from nine key ministries, including the Ministry of Tribal Affairs (Nodal Ministry), Ministry of Rural Development, Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, Ministry of Education, and others, ensuring a coordinated approach.

• Targeted Saturation Approach: The strategy focuses on saturating identified PVTG habitations with all planned interventions rather than a piecemeal approach, ensuring comprehensive development within these specific areas.

• District-Level Committees: District Collectors play a pivotal role, chairing district-level committees to oversee planning, implementation, and coordination of the mission activities.

• Technology-Driven Monitoring: A dedicated portal and mobile applications are being developed for real-time monitoring of scheme progress, impact assessment, and grievance redressal, ensuring transparency and accountability.

• Community Participation: Emphasis is placed on involving PVTG communities in the planning and implementation process, fostering a sense of ownership and ensuring that interventions are culturally appropriate and meet local needs.

Expected Impact and Significance

PM-JANMAN is envisioned to bring about a transformative change in the lives of PVTGs, contributing significantly to national development goals.

• Improved Quality of Life: Direct access to basic amenities like housing, clean water, and electricity will drastically improve living standards and reduce vulnerabilities.

• Enhanced Human Development Indicators: Better health, nutrition, and education facilities are expected to improve critical human development indicators among PVTGs, narrowing the gap with national averages.

• Economic Empowerment: Skill development, livelihood support, and market linkages will empower PVTGs economically, reducing dependence and fostering self-reliance.

• Social Inclusion and Equity: By addressing deep-rooted inequalities, the mission will bring PVTGs into the mainstream of development, upholding the principles of “Sabka Saath, Sabka Vikas, Sabka Vishwas, Sabka Prayas” (Together with all, Development for all, Trust of all, Efforts of all).

• Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): PM-JANMAN aligns with several SDGs, particularly those related to poverty eradication (SDG 1), good health and well-being (SDG 3), quality education (SDG 4), clean water and sanitation (SDG 6), affordable and clean energy (SDG 7), and reduced inequalities (SDG 10).

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is the full form of PM-JANMAN?

PM-JANMAN stands for Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan. It is a comprehensive mission for the upliftment of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups.

1. When was PM-JANMAN launched?

The PM-JANMAN Mission was launched by the Prime Minister on Janjatiya Gaurav Divas, November 15, 2023, coinciding with the birth anniversary of Bhagwan Birsa Munda.

1. How many PVTGs are there in India and in how many states/UTs?

There are 75 identified Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) spread across 18 states and one Union Territory in India.

1. What is the budget allocated for the PM-JANMAN Mission?

An approximate budget of ₹24,000 crore has been allocated for the PM-JANMAN Mission over a three-year period, from FY 2023-24 to 2025-26.

Stay Updated with Daily Current Affairs 2026