The Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) is a flagship housing scheme launched by the Ministry of Rural Development, Government of India, to provide affordable, permanent housing for rural households.
Launched on April 1, 2016, PMAY-G seeks to achieve ‘Housing for All’ by March 2029, targeting the construction of 4.95 crore homes.
Let’s now look at the key aspects of the PM Awas Gramin Scheme, including financial assistance, eligibility criteria, and the beneficiary selection process.
Key Objectives of PMAY-G Scheme
- Provide pucca houses with basic amenities to all eligible rural households
- Promote women's empowerment by registering houses in women's names
- Use locally available materials and appropriate technologies
- Generate employment opportunities in rural areas
- Improve living standards and dignity of rural families
How Much Financial Assistance is Provided Under Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin?
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin Sanction Amount
Under PMAYG, each eligible rural household receives financial assistance to build a permanent home as follows:
- Plain Areas: ₹1,20,000 per unit
- Hilly States, Difficult Areas, and IAP Districts: ₹1,30,000 per unit
Each pm awas yojana gramin house must have a minimum built-up area of 25 square meters (269 sq ft), including a hygienic cooking space.
If the beneficiary’s land is smaller, a multi-storeyed structure is allowed to meet this requirement.
How is the PMAY Gramin Amount Disbursed?
The sanctioned amount is released in 3-4 installments directly to the beneficiary's bank account:
| Stage | Milestone | % of Total Assistance |
|---|---|---|
| 1️⃣ | After sanction and foundation laid | ~25–30% |
| 2️⃣ | Upon completion of plinth level | ~30–40% |
| 3️⃣ | After roof level completion | ~30% |
| 4️⃣ | After full completion and geo-tag verification | Balance amount |
Each stage requires geo-tagged photograph verification before the next installment is released.
Additional Financial Assistance
- ₹12,000 assistance for toilet construction under Swachh Bharat Mission (Gramin).
- Wage support for labour during house construction through MGNREGS
Total Money Available under the Rural Housing Scheme (PMAY-G): Example
For a beneficiary in plain areas utilizing all benefits:
| Component | Amount |
|---|---|
| Base house construction | ₹1,20000 |
| Toilet construction | ₹1,2000 |
| MGNREGS wages (95 days @ ₹200/day)* | ₹19,000 |
| Total Value | ₹1,51,000+ |
Note: The total amount varies by state and is shown for illustrative purposes only, representing a typical release pattern.
PMAY-G Eligibility Criteria and Application Guidelines
Who Can Apply for PMAY-G Housing Scheme?
- Houseless families or those living in homes with kutcha walls and roofs.
- Households with 0–2 rooms as per the Socio-Economic and Caste Census (SECC 2011).
- Those without access to permanent housing, sanitation, or basic infrastructure.
Priority for Beneficiary Selection
Among all eligible households, priority is determined through a deprivation score, giving preference to:
- Female-headed households with no adult male member.
- Families without an adult aged 16–59.
- Households with no literate adult above 25 years.
- Households with a disabled member and no able-bodied adult.
- Landless families relying on manual labour.
Automatic Inclusion of Vulnerable Groups under PMAY-G
Under the pradhan mantri gramin awas yojana, certain vulnerable groups (extremely poor families) are automatically included as beneficiaries.
| Category | Who They Are | Why They Are Included |
|---|---|---|
| Destitute Families | People who have no regular income and depend on charity or alms for survival. | They are among the poorest households with no shelter or financial means to build a house. |
| Manual Scavengers | Individuals engaged in manual cleaning of waste and sewage. | They come from disadvantaged groups who need better living conditions. |
| Primitive Tribal Groups (PTGs) | Small and isolated tribal communities with very limited access to resources or modern housing. | To ensure inclusive development and provide safe housing in remote tribal areas. |
| Legally Released Bonded Labourers | People who were earlier forced to work as bonded labourers and are now legally free. | They often have no assets or shelter after release and need government help to rebuild their lives. |
Who is Not Eligible
Households are excluded if they:
- Earn over ₹15,000 per month or pay income tax.
- Owns more than 2.5 acres of irrigated land.
- Are government employees or operate non-agricultural enterprises.
Reservation & Category-Wise Quota under PMAY-G
The Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) follows reservation quotas decided by the Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) to ensure fair distribution of rural housing benefits among eligible categories.
Example: If 100 total applications are approved, houses are allocated according to the following quotas.
| Category | Reservation / Target Percentage | Example (Out of 100 Houses) | Purpose |
|---|---|---|---|
| Scheduled Castes (SC) | Minimum 60% (combined SC + ST) | ≈ 30 houses | Ensures representation of disadvantaged groups. |
| Scheduled Tribes (ST) | ≈ 30 houses | Covers tribal households in remote areas. | |
| Minorities | 15% of total funds (national level) | ≈ 15 houses | Allocation based on rural minority population (Census 2011). |
| Differently-Abled Persons | 5% | 5 houses | Reserved for households with persons with disabilities. |
| Disaster-Affected Families | 5% | 5 houses | For families whose homes were lost in natural disasters. |
| Others (General Rural Poor) | Remaining | ≈ 15 houses | For other eligible non-SC/ST/minority families. |
Note: Automatically included families, such as destitute households and Primitive Tribal Groups, receive priority. Remaining houses are then allotted as per the Ministry of Rural Development’s category-wise quota system to maintain fairness and transparency.
PMAY-G Selection Process: How Beneficiaries Are Identified
Beneficiaries are selected through a three-stage, data-based, and community-approved process.
Data Identification and Survey Verification
The government identifies eligible families using data from the 2011 Socio-Economic and Caste Census.
This list is further updated using the Awaas+ 2018 survey to include left-out families.
Note: Both SECC 2011 and Awaas+ (2017–18) datasets are used together to ensure updated and inclusive beneficiary identification under PMAY-G.
| Aspect | SECC 2011 | Awaas+ Survey (2017–18) |
|---|---|---|
| Purpose | Identify deprived households based on 2011 data. | Capture left-out or newly eligible households. |
| Coverage | All rural households nationwide. | Only missed or new rural households. |
| Data Nature | Static, based on 2011 conditions. | Updated, reflecting 2017–18 realities. |
| Role in PMAY-G | Foundation for initial selection. | Supplement to include remaining eligible families. |
Gram Sabha Validation and Community Approval
The preliminary list is presented before the Gram Sabha for public verification.
Villagers discuss and validate the names to ensure only eligible families are included.
Note: The Gram Panchayat plays a key role in PMAY-G implementation:
- Assists families in understanding the scheme and completing necessary documentation.
- Coordinates with the Block Development Office to facilitate fund release and monitor construction progress.
- Acts as the first point of contact for any queries or issues related to PMAY-G at the village level.
Final Approval and Geo-Tagging for Transparency
After Gram Sabha approval, the beneficiary list is finalized and uploaded to the AwaasSoft online platform.
Each approved household is geo-tagged with photographs at multiple construction stages, ensuring real-time tracking and transparency.
What Happens After Final Approval
Once your name appears in the approved PMAY-G list:
- You’ll receive an official sanction order from the local administration confirming your eligibility.
- Construction funds will be released in stages directly to your bank account after each verified milestone.
- Upon completion, the house will be registered in your or your spouse’s name, ensuring ownership and long-term housing security.
Linking PMAY-G with Other Government Schemes (Convergence Benefits)
PMAY-G works alongside other rural development schemes to ensure households receive complete support, addressing sanitation, energy, water, and livelihood needs.
| Scheme | Key Benefit |
|---|---|
| Swachh Bharat Mission | ₹12,000 support for individual household latrine (IHHL) construction. |
| MGNREGA | 95 days of paid unskilled labour during house construction |
| Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana | Free LPG connection |
| Jal Jeevan Mission / Har Ghar Nal Se Jal | Access to piped drinking water in PMAY-G houses. |
| Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana | Electricity connections to all new rural homes. |
| Solid & Liquid Waste Management Schemes | Improved sanitation and health standards. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Why PMAY-G Houses Are Built with a Minimum of 25 Sq. Meters
PMAY-G mandates a minimum house size of 25 sq. meters to ensure basic livable space for rural families. This size includes a sleeping area, cooking space, ventilation, and a toilet under the Swachh Bharat Mission.
Earlier, the minimum size was 20 sq. meters, but it was revised in 2016 to include mandatory sanitation facilities.
A fixed size also helps the government maintain cost control, uniform standards across states, and easier approvals during construction.
It also supports disaster-resistant designs that work well in flood-prone and hilly areas.
Who Actually Decides PMAY-G Reservation Quotas?
The Ministry of Rural Development decides the reservation policy, but the State and local authorities carry out the actual selection and ensure that houses are allotted according to those quotas. Here’s how it works step-by-step:
| Authority | Role |
|---|---|
| Ministry of Rural Development (MoRD) | Sets national reservation targets and funding rules for PMAY-G. |
| State Rural Development Department | Allocates targets to districts, issues state implementation plan, supervises execution. |
| District/Block Offices (DRDA) | Verifies documents, uploads beneficiary data to AwaasSoft, coordinates fund release. |
| Gram Sabha | Conducts social verification, approves or removes names from the beneficiary list. |
Conclusion: PMAY-G’s Role in Achieving Rural Housing for All by 2029
The Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY-G) represents a transformative stride toward equitable rural development, bridging gaps in housing security and fostering long-term socio-economic resilience.
By promoting transparency and community participation, the scheme empowers marginalized families to build stable, dignified lives.
As India moves toward its 2029 goal, PMAY-G continues to redefine rural empowerment and inclusivity, ensuring every eligible household finds a place in the vision of a self-reliant nation.