Bridging gaps, Building futures

OVER the past eleven years, the Central Government has made substantial progress in promoting inclusive development among the six Centrally notified minority communities – Muslims, Christians, Sikhs, Buddhists, Parsis, and Jains. Through a multi-dimensional approach involving education, employment, cultural preservation, digital transformation, and legislative reform, the Ministry of Minority Affairs has worked toward narrowing socio-economic disparities and empowering marginalized sections of society.

Skills development

At the heart of this transformative agenda is the Pradhan Mantri Virasat Ka Samvardhan (PM VIKAS), a flagship scheme launched by the Ministry of Minority Affairs. This comprehensive initiative merges five earlier schemes – Seekho Aur Kamao, Nai Manzil, Nai Roshni, Hamari Dharohar, and USTTAD – into one. Rhe scheme focuses on upskilling youth, promoting entrepreneurship, and empowering minority women through leadership and training programs. It operates in conjunction with the Skill India Mission and integrates with the Skill India portal for wider outreach and impact.

The National Minorities Development and Finance Corporation (NMDFC) continues to play a pivotal role in economic empowerment. Offering concessional loans for selfemployment, the NMDFC has disbursed Rs 752.23 crore to over 1.74 lakh beneficiaries as of March 10, 2025, a significant rise from Rs 431.20 crore in 2014-15.

Infra growth

Infrastructure growth has been spearheaded by the Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram (PMJVK), a Centrally sponsored scheme aimed at holistic development in minority-concentrated areas. Since 2014-15, projects worth Rs 18,416 crore have been sanctioned, covering approximately 5.63 lakh infrastructure units across sectors like health, education, sanitation, renewable energy, and women and child development. The scheme has now been digitised for better monitoring and transparency, with 1,300 Minority Concentration Areas identified across 308 districts in 32 states and UTs.

While some schemes like the Maulana Azad National Fellowship (MANF) and Padho Pardesh have been discontinued due to overlaps with other Government initiatives, others like the Begum Hazrat Mahal National Scholarship for girls in classes IX to XII, and Naya Savera (free coaching and allied scheme) continue to support educational aspirations of minority youth. Naya Savera provides coaching for competitive exams and admissions into technical and professional courses.

Schemes like Hamari Dharohar and USTTAD (Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development) focus on preserving the cultural legacy of minority communities. These schemes support exhibitions, documentation, and skill development among traditional artisans while creating market linkages for their products. In further efforts to promote cultural heritage, Rs 25 crore has been sanctioned for a Centre for Gurumukhi Script at Khalsa College, Delhi University, while Rs 11.17 crore has been approved for a Centre for Avesta Pahlavi Studies at Mumbai University. Projects worth Rs 65 crore are in progress for Jain Studies and Manuscriptology at institutions in Indore and Gujarat.

The Jiyo Parsi scheme, launched in 2013-14 to address the declining Parsi population, has aided the birth of over 400 Parsi children. In FY 2023-24, Rs 3 crore was released, with a proposed budget of Rs 6 crore for 2024-25. Under the Buddhist Development Plan (BDP), Rs 300.17 crore worth of projects have been approved to support Buddhist communities, especially in the Himalayan belt. Key institutions like the Central Institute of Buddhist Studies (CIBS) and Central Institute of Himalayan Culture Studies (CIHCS) are implementing these initiatives through a hub-and-spoke model.

The Government has also focused on easing the Haj pilgrimage, transferring its administration from the Ministry of External Affairs to the Ministry of Minority Affairs in 2016. Expenditures have increased from Rs 47.37 crore in 2014-15 to Rs 83.51 crore in 2023-24. Digital support has been introduced through the Haj Suvidha app, providing pilgrims access to essential services like travel details, emergency help, and training materials.

Legislative reforms

A significant development came with the Waqf (Amendment) Act, 2025 notified on April 8, 2025. This amendment strengthens governance and transparency in the management of Waqf properties. It is complemented by the launch of the UMEED portal on June 6, 2025 – a centralised digital platform for uploading, verifying, and monitoring Waqf properties. These measures aim to modernise asset management and ensure properties are used for their intended religious and charitable purposes.

Further modernization efforts include the Qaumi Waqf Board Taraqqiati Scheme (QWBTS) and Shahari Waqf Sampatti Vikas Yojana (SWSVY), which focus on computerisation and commercial development of Waqf properties. From 2019- 20 to 2023-24, Rs 23.87 crore and Rs 7.16 crore were spent under QWBTS and SWSVY respectively.

The ministry also organises Lok Samvardhan Parv, a cultural event to showcase minority arts and crafts while fostering entrepreneurship. Three editions have been held – in July 2024 at Dilli Haat, January 2025 at Baba Kharak Singh Marg, and April 2025 at Kashmir University in Srinagar. These events feature workshops on design, marketing, GST, and digital commerce in partnership with the Export Promotion Council for Handicrafts (EPCH).

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