Sapno Ka Ghar: Realizing the Dream of Housing for All in Rural India

2025-09-24 Information

Key Takeaways

Under Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin, cumulative target to build 4.95 crore houses; as of Aug 2025, 2.82 crore houses completed out of 4.12 crore allocated.

Total of 2,68,480 landless beneficiaries have been sanctioned houses under PMAY-G so far.

568 crore person-days of employment generated in last nine years (2016–25).

Technology-Driven Transparency: Use of Awaas+ 2024 App, AI/ML fraud detection, e-KYC, Aadhaar-based DBT, geo-tagged photos, and real-time dashboards for monitoring.

Introduction

Housing is universally recognized as a fundamental human requirement, and addressing rural housing shortages, particularly for the poor, is a vital part of the Government’s poverty alleviation strategy.

For Smt. Kakrati Debbarma, a poor tribal woman from South Dhumacherra village of Manu RD Block, Tripura, life was a constant struggle as she and her family lived in a fragile mud-walled house with a weak roof. The home offered little safety or security, leaving the family vulnerable to harsh weather and natural disasters throughout the year, making every day an ordeal.

Everything changed when a house was sanctioned in her name under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G) scheme during the 2019-20 financial year. With assistance from the Block Administration, she received Rs. 1,30,000/- in three installments transferred directly to her bank account. With guidance and support, Kakrati was able to build her own pucca house.

Today, the new home has transformed the family’s life. They are now protected from storms and rains, living in comfort and peace. Kakrati expresses her joy, saying the house brings not just safety, but also happiness and dignity to her family.

The Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G) launched on 1st April 2016, aims to provide “Housing for All” in rural areas. The scheme helps eligible rural families for the construction of pucca houses with basic facilities like a kitchen, toilet.

The scheme provides financial assistance to eligible rural households, including houseless families and those living in zero, one, or two-room kutcha houses, to construct pucca homes with basic amenities. The beneficiaries also gain access to piped drinking water, LPG, renewable energy, and building materials through convergence with other government programs.

PMAY-G has significantly improved rural housing by reducing poverty, enhancing living standards, and promoting social and economic development, reflecting steady progress in strengthening rural housing infrastructure.

Key Features of PMAY-G

Scheme Targets and Achievements

Under the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G), the Government initially set a target of 2.95 crore houses for FY 2016–17 to FY 2023–24.

Recognizing the continued rural housing demand, the Union Cabinet has approved the continuation of the scheme for another five years (FY 2024–25 to FY 2028–29) with an additional target of 2 crore houses, bringing the cumulative target to 4.95 crore houses.

As of 4th August 2025, a total target of 4.12 crore has been allocated by the Ministry to states and Union Territories (UTs), out of which 3.85 crore houses have been sanctioned and more than2.82 crore houses have been completed.

The flagship housing programme continues to demonstrate strong implementation and rising coverage across financial years. For FY 2025–26, as of July 2025, a total of 32.9 lakh houses were targeted under the scheme, of which 25.6 lakh have already been sanctioned. In the previous year, FY 2024–25, the house allocation target was 84.37 lakh, of which 64.70 lakh houses got sanctioned. Over the four-year period from FY 2020-21 to FY 2024-25, a cumulative total of 216.73 lakh houses were sanctioned, out of which 176.47 lakh houses have been completed, reflecting steady progress in housing development.

Beneficiary Selection, Financial Assistance and Funding Convergence Support

Who is Eligible?

One of the most important features of PMAY-G is the robust and transparent selection of beneficiaries.

Financial Assistance and Funding

The scheme provides direct financial support for house construction:

More Than Just a House: Convergence with Other Schemes

PMAY-G integrates with other government schemes to provide comprehensive amenities, ensuring a better quality of life.

Under the Rural Mason Training programme of PMAY-G, 2.97 lakh candidates have been trained as on August 2025, with some certified masons even securing opportunities to work abroad in the construction sector. In addition, the scheme has generated significant indirect employment through the production of building materials and their transportation for house construction.

Digital & Technological Innovations – Ensuring Transparency and Quality

A robust monitoring framework is in place to ensure transparency, quality, and timely completion.

Digital Monitoring

The entire process is managed through e-governance solutions like the AwaasSoft Management Information System (MIS) and the AwaasApp mobile application.

AwaasSoft Management Information System (MIS)

AwaasSoft is the web-based MIS that serves as the backbone for the PMAY-G scheme.

Awaas+ 2024 App

The Awaas+ 2024 App has been developed to strengthen the implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G) by ensuring efficiency, transparency, and accountability. This app has the following features: –

The app works in online as well as offline mode.

House Design Typologies

Beneficiaries are assisted with a bouquet of house design typologies that incorporate disaster-resilient features and are tailored to local geo-climatic conditions, cultural preferences, and availability of construction materials.3D designs of these typologies are made available through the Awaas+ 2024 Mobile App for easy selection by beneficiaries.

Geo-tagging

It is mandatory to upload geo-tagged, time-stamped photographs at each stage of construction, from the proposed site to completion.

100% Aadhaar-Based Payments

The Aadhaar Based Payment System (ABPS) under PMAY-G enables Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly into the beneficiary’s bank account linked with their Aadhaar number, ensuring safe, transparent, and authentic transactions.

Technology-Driven Accountability

The new phase of the scheme uses advanced technology, including AI/ML models to curb fraud, face authentication, e-KYC, and liveliness detection to verify beneficiaries.

Physical Inspections and Audits

Regular inspections are carried out by officials at all levels—national, state, district, and block. Additionally, a Social Audit is required in every Gram Panchayat at least once a year.

Grievance Redressal

A multi-level grievance redressal mechanism is available, including the Centralized Public Grievance Redress and Monitoring System (CPGRAMS) portal and District-level Appellate Committees.

Steps Taken by the Ministry to Accelerate PMAY-G Implementation

The Ministry is undertaking several measures to expedite house sanction and completion to achieve the scheme’s targets. Key initiatives include:

Conclusion

The Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana–Gramin (PMAY-G) has emerged as a transformative initiative in rural India, addressing the critical need for safe and dignified housing. By combining financial assistance, convergence with other welfare schemes, and technology-driven transparency, the programme has not only reduced rural housing shortages but also enhanced living standards, promoted social inclusion, and supported economic development. With its extension to 2028-29 and renewed target of 2 crore additional houses, the scheme ensures that every eligible household has access to quality housing and a dignified life.

References

PIB

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2112200

https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleseDetailm.aspx?PRID=2100659

https://www.pib.gov.in/pressreleasepage.aspx?prid=1773447

https://static.pib.gov.in/WriteReadData/specificdocs/documents/2024/nov/doc20241119437801.pdf

Lok Sabha

https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/185/AU2576_CxZ43E.pdf?source=pqals

https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/185/AS233_KLhbbE.pdf?source=pqals

https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/185/AU1385_3A3AGR.pdf?source=pqals

https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/185/AS326_cEbkaC.pdf?source=pqals

https://sansad.in/getFile/loksabhaquestions/annex/185/AU1608_D7Aly3.pdf?source=pqals