Why this matters now
PMAY is a high-frequency GS-2 welfare topic — its two verticals, the subsidy design and its scale. It links to urbanisation, financial inclusion and social justice.
What is PMAY?
Launched in 2015, PMAY aims to provide a pucca house with water, sanitation and electricity to every eligible family. It has two components: PMAY-Urban (PMAY-U) for urban poor and PMAY-Gramin (PMAY-G) for rural households (replacing the earlier Indira Awas Yojana).
Key features
- Central assistance/subsidy for house construction; in urban areas, a Credit-Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS) on home-loan interest;
- Houses preferably in the name of the woman of the household;
- Convergence with toilets (SBM), LPG (Ujjwala), electricity and water schemes;
- Use of new construction technologies and geo-tagging/DBT for transparency.
Significance and challenges
PMAY has delivered crores of houses, advancing dignity, women’s empowerment (asset ownership) and the construction economy. Challenges include land availability in cities, beneficiary identification, quality and timely completion, and the urban affordability gap — addressed in the extended PMAY phase.
UPSC angle
Know the two verticals (PMAY-U/PMAY-G), the CLSS subsidy, woman-ownership preference and convergence with SBM/Ujjwala. PMAY-G replaced Indira Awas Yojana.
Frequently asked questions
What is PMAY?
The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana — a 2015 “Housing for All” mission providing pucca houses with basic amenities to the urban and rural poor.
What are the two components of PMAY?
PMAY-Urban (for the urban poor) and PMAY-Gramin (for rural households, replacing the Indira Awas Yojana).
What is CLSS under PMAY?
The Credit-Linked Subsidy Scheme — an interest subsidy on home loans for eligible urban beneficiaries.
Whose name is the PMAY house registered in?
Preferably the woman of the household, to promote asset ownership and empowerment.