India’s rural development initiatives recorded significant progress in 2025, improving connectivity, livelihoods, housing, skills and social security, according to data released by PIB Delhi on January 1, 2026.
Under the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY), more than 16,000 km of rural roads and over 900 bridges were constructed, enhancing year-round connectivity in remote and border regions. Tamil Nadu, Himachal Pradesh and Bihar emerged as top performers in roads and bridge construction.
The Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana–National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) crossed a major milestone with over 2 crore women becoming ‘Lakhpati Didis’, reflecting rising rural incomes through self-help groups, agriculture and non-farm enterprises.
Housing remained a key focus. Under PM Awas Yojana–Gramin, 3.86 crore houses were sanctioned and 2.92 crore completed, while PM-JANMAN approved 4.71 lakh homes for PVTG families, with over 2.42 lakh already built.
Skill and employment programmes also gained traction. DDU-GKY trained over 82,000 rural youth, with 37,000 securing jobs, while RSETIs trained 59 lakh youth, enabling livelihoods for 43 lakh.
The government also enacted the VB-GRAM Act, 2025, guaranteeing 125 days of employment for rural families, and allocated ₹9,652 crore to the National Social Assistance Programme, reinforcing social security.
