Modi Government Launches Nationwide Household Survey to Deliver Two Crore New Homes to the Poor

In a significant New Year’s initiative aimed at empowering the economically disadvantaged, the Narendra Modi-led government has announced the commencement of a comprehensive household survey to identify beneficiaries for two crore additional homes under the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY). This ambitious exercise, slated for completion by March 31, 2025, fulfills a key electoral promise made by the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) during the 2024 general elections.

According to a communique issued by the Centre on December 27, states and Union Territories (UTs) have been directed to prioritize the survey, which will be conducted via the Awaas+ 2024 mobile application. “No eligible household should be left out,” the letter emphasized, urging officials to ensure the survey's timely and comprehensive execution. The survey process also includes the use of advanced face-based authentication technology to allow citizens the option of self-survey, alongside surveys conducted by registered officials.

The initiative builds on the PM Awas (Urban) scheme, which has already started a similar survey for an additional one crore urban homes. The BJP’s 2024 manifesto pledged a total of three crore new homes—two crore in rural areas and one crore in urban centers—underscoring its commitment to providing affordable housing as a cornerstone of its development agenda.

Since its inception in 2016, the PM Awas Yojana has been hailed as a transformative program, credited with the completion of four crore homes during the Modi government’s first two terms. The scheme’s expansion signals the administration's continued focus on housing as a catalyst for rural and urban development.

The Awaas+ 2024 mobile application, launched by Prime Minister Modi on September 17, 2024, in Bhubaneswar, serves as a cornerstone of this initiative. Designed to streamline the identification of additional deprived households, the application leverages AI-enabled face authentication technology and Aadhaar-based eKYC to ensure accurate beneficiary targeting. States and UTs have already registered surveyors and mapped them to Gram Panchayats via the app, ensuring efficient implementation.

The government’s adoption of technology-driven solutions underscores its commitment to transparency and inclusivity in delivering housing benefits to the poorest segments of society. As the survey progresses, this initiative is expected to not only enhance living standards but also bolster the BJP’s track record on social welfare ahead of critical state and national elections.