Lok Sabha Question No. 328 (STARRED), answered on 2026-03-16
Subject: PM-SYM Yojana in Tribal-dominated Districts
Ministry: LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT
Asked by: Shri Bhaskar Murlidhar Bhagare

## GOVERNMENT OF INDIA MINISTRY OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT LOK SABHA

## STARRED QUESTION NO. 328

## TO BE ANSWERED ON 16.03.2026

## PM-SYM YOJANA IN TRIBAL-DOMINATED DISTRICTS

## *328. SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE:

Will the Minister of LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT be pleased to state:

- (a)  whether  the  Government  is  aware  of  persistent  challenges  in implementation of the Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maandhan (PMSYM) scheme  in tribal-dominated districts of Maharashtra, including Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Palghar and parts of Nashik and if so, the details thereof;
- (b) whether enrolment of eligible unorganised sector tribal workers of the said districts under PM-SYM has remained below projections and if so, the reasons identified therefor;
- (c) whether any reports have been received regarding technical and operational deficiencies at Common Service Centres (CSCs) in the said  districts,  including  connectivity  issues,  biometric  failures and  delays  in  processing  applications  and  if  so,  the  details thereof;
- (d)  whether  low  digital  literacy,  Aadhaar-seeding  problems  and inadequate  outreach  have  constrained  participation  of  tribal workers of the said districts and if so, the reasons therefor;
- (e) the corrective measures undertaken including mobile enrolment camps, local-language awareness drives and capacity-building of CSC operators by the Government in the said districts; and
- (f) whether a time-bound review and simplification of enrolment and contribution procedures is proposed to ensure wider coverage of tribal workers in Maharashtra and if so, the details thereof?

## MINISTER OF LABOUR AND EMPLOYMENT (DR. MANSUKH MANDAVIYA)

(a) to (f): A statement is laid on the Table of the House.

*                                                  *****

STATEMENT REFFERED TO IN REPLY TO PART (a) TO (f) OF LOK SABHA  STARRED  QUESTION  NO.  328  FOR  16.03.2026  RAISED  BY SHRI BHASKAR MURLIDHAR BHAGARE REGARDING PM-SYM YOJANA IN TRIBAL-DOMINATED DISTRICTS.

(a) to (f): The  Pradhan  Mantri  Shram  Yogi  Maan-dhan  (PM-SYM) scheme was launched in February, 2019 in order to provide old age protection to the workers of unorganised sector. This is a voluntary and  contributory  pension  scheme.  Under  the  scheme,  a  monthly assured pension of Rs. 3000/- is provided to the unorganised workers after attaining the age of 60 years. The workers in the age group of 18 to 40 years whose monthly income is Rs. 15000/- or less and not a member  of  EPFO/ESIC/NPS  (Govt.  funded)  are  eligible  to  join  the scheme. The monthly contribution amount ranges from Rs. 55/- to Rs. 200/-,  depending  upon  the  entry  age  of  the  beneficiary.  Under  the scheme, 50% monthly contribution is payable by the beneficiary and equal  matching  contribution  is  paid  by  the  Central  Government. Enrolment  in  the  Scheme  is  done  through  the  Common  Service Centres, with its network of about 4 lakh Centres across the country. Eligible unorganised workers can also self-enrol through visiting the portal www.maandhan.in.

The number of beneficiaries enrolled under the Pradhan Mantri  Shram  Yogi  Maan-dhan  (PM-SYM)  scheme  is  52,54,217 (including bulk registration of 5,06,603 beneficiaries) as on 12.03.2026.  The  number  of  beneficiary  registered  in  the  State  of Maharashtra is 6,27,714 (as on 12.03.2026).

The number of beneficiaries enrolled under this scheme in the tribal-dominated districts of Maharashtra -Gadchiroli, Nandurbar, Palghar and Nashik are 13,661, 13,994, 15,094 and 36,947 respectively (as on 12.03.2026).

Enrolment under this scheme has been affected by limited awareness  regarding  contributory  pension  schemes  among  tribal workers,  seasonal  and  migratory  nature  of  employment  among unorganised workers, irregular income patterns affecting willingness to make monthly contributions, limited access to banking and digital infrastructure,  preference  for  immediate  income  support  schemes run over long-term pension benefits and various State non-contributory welfare schemes.

Factors such as low digital literacy, language barriers and limited awareness regarding pension benefits have affected participation levels in  some  tribal  areas.  The  Government,  in coordination  with  the  States'  Panchayati  Raj  department,  Labour department and Urban development department is taking steps to enhance enrolment through targeted outreach activities.

Common  Service  Centres  (CSCs)  have  a  helpline  and technical problem resolution mechanism to resolve connectivity and biometric issues when they arise.

The steps taken by the Government  to strengthen awareness,  simplify  enrolment  and  contribution  processes  in  this scheme are as follows:

(i) Holding periodic review meeting with States/ UTs. (ii) Common Services Centres (CSCs) are given incentives on every eligible person enroled in PM-SYM. (iii) Launch of new features: Voluntary Exit, Revival Module, Claim Status, and Account Statement. (iv) Extension of revival of dormant accounts from 1 year to 3 years. (v) Two-way integration of PM-SYM and eShram. (vi) SMS campaign in local languages to create awareness. (vii) Addressing Chief Secretaries of States regarding enrolment under PM-SYM scheme. (viii) Organising a nationwide special registration drive for enrolment of unorganised workers under PM-SYM scheme as:

Phase  I:  Urban  Areas  from  15 th   January  2026 -15 th February 2026 already completed.

Phase II: Rural Areas from 16 th  February 2026 -31 st  March 2026.

*****