Deendayal Jana Ajeevika Yojana - Shehari

Pilot Initiative

The Pilot aims to tackle the multiple challenges faced by urban poor households, particularly those in the informal sector, through an inclusive approach that prioritises women, the elderly, the differently-abled, migrants, and marginalised communities. It focuses on vulnerable occupational groups such as care workers, domestic workers, transport workers, construction labourers, gig workers, and waste pickers, who face severe barriers in the labour market.

The strategy combines financial assistance for micro-enterprises, improved access to credit, and targeted support for women through self-employment, Self-Help Groups (SHGs), and Common Interest Groups (CIGs). By aligning with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Pilot seeks to alleviate urban poverty, promote sustainable livelihoods, ensure decent work, and advance gender equality and social inclusion.

Objective of the Pilot

The Pilot seeks to address the occupational, social, and residential vulnerabilities of the urban poor through holistic, multi-pronged strategies aimed at improving their overall quality of life. This will be achieved by:

• 1.Strengthening grassroots community institutions,
• 2.Promoting employment opportunities,
• 3.Developing social infrastructure,
• 4.Ensuring social security and entitlements, and
• 5.Fostering innovation and collaboration.

The approach is inclusive, with focused attention on vulnerable groups such as construction, transport, gig, care, waste, and domestic workers.

Pilot Strategy

The Pilot will adopt a “whole-of-government” approach, engaging National, State/UT, District, Urban Local Bodies (ULBs), and non-government stakeholders. Its key enablers will include capacity building, data and technology, branding, collaboration, and innovation.

The strategy focuses on:

• 1. Strengthening community-led institutions and outreach.
• 2. Targeted interventions for six vulnerable occupational groups: construction, gig, waste, domestic, transport, and care workers.
• 3. Promoting financial inclusion and enterprise development.
• 4. Prioritising Aspirational Districts and developing social infrastructure.
• 5. Expanding social security and entitlements through convergence of schemes.
• 6. Encouraging innovation and policy support to improve overall well-being.

The six occupational groups were identified through expert consultations with government, industry, academia, civil society, and workers’ associations, based on their high vulnerability and policy gaps.

Cities will prepare City Livelihood Action Plans (C-LAPs) to map existing livelihoods, identify priorities, and design implementation roadmaps. The Pilot will be rolled out in 25 cities using a Test–Learn–Scale approach: small-scale pilots, evidence-based learning, and phased expansion.

Pilot Components

• •     Community Led Institution Development (CLID)
• •     Financial Inclusion and Enterprise Development (FI&ED)
• •     Social Infrastructure (SI)
• •     Convergence
• •     Innovative and Special Projects (I&SP)