The Indian government has approved the construction of an additional two crore houses under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) to improve rural housing by 2029. Building on the 2.67 crore houses already completed, this phase includes updated eligibility criteria, such as higher income limits and relaxed asset conditions. A new survey using facial recognition technology will identify beneficiaries, ensuring transparency and accuracy. Financial aid of INR 1.20-1.30 lakh will be provided based on region. The initiative, expected to benefit 10 crore individuals, aims to enhance rural living standards and support economic growth by addressing evolving housing needs.
The Indian government has announced a significant expansion of the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), approving the construction of an additional two crore houses. This initiative aims to improve housing conditions for rural families across the country and will implement a new self-survey process to identify eligible beneficiaries. For the first time, the program will also utilise facial recognition technology to enhance transparency in the survey process.
Launched in 2016, PMAY-G initially set a target of constructing 2.95 crore pucca houses over five years. As of now, approximately 2.67 crore houses have been built, with about 77 lakh houses from the previous Indira Gandhi Awas Yojana also completed. The government plans to finish the remaining 35 lakh houses that were not completed by the initial deadline of March 31, helping to meet the original target.
The second phase of PMAY-G, which received approval from the Union Cabinet earlier this year, aims to construct an additional two crore houses between fiscal years 2024 and 2029. Eligible families in plain areas will receive INR 1.20 lakh, while those in the Northeastern states and hilly regions, including Himachal Pradesh and Uttarakhand, will receive INR 1.30 lakh.
Previously, housing allocations were based on the 2011 Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) and the Awaas+ list from 2018. However, many states have reached saturation with these lists, necessitating a new survey. The updated eligibility criteria have been relaxed to include more families. For instance, families that own two-wheelers or refrigerators, which were previously disqualifying factors, can now apply. Additionally, the income cap has been raised from INR 10,000 to INR 15,000 per month, allowing more families to qualify.
The Ministry of Rural Development plans to complete the new survey within three months. Surveyors will be appointed across over 2.5 lakh panchayats, with multiple surveyors assigned to areas with higher populations. To ensure accountability, both surveyors and beneficiaries will undergo facial recognition checks during the survey process. This new method aims to prevent fraud and ensure that surveys are conducted accurately.
Beneficiaries who may miss the initial survey can still apply through the Awas+ app, allowing for a self-survey. However, each phone can only submit one self-survey to maintain the integrity of the data collected. A training workshop for surveyors was held recently to familiarise them with the new mobile application and the updated survey process.
This expansion of PMAY-G is expected to significantly impact rural housing, potentially benefiting around 10 crore individuals. By addressing the housing needs that have developed over the years, the government aims to improve living conditions and support economic growth in rural areas.
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