- Why in news
- On 1 April 2026, the Minister of State for Home Affairs told the Rajya Sabha that BADP is in its sunset phase, with funds only for committed liability. Vibrant Villages Programmes I and II now cover border villages.
- What it is
- The Border Area Development Programme (BADP) is a Ministry of Home Affairs scheme that funds basic infrastructure in villages near international borders. The Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) is a newer border scheme for comprehensive development of select villages in border blocks, with the aim of improving living conditions and reducing out-migration.
- BADP coverage
- BADP covers villages and towns within 0-10 km (aerial distance) of the first habitation at the international border, in 16 States and 2 UTs.
- BADP status
- BADP is in its sunset phase and funds are allocated only for committed liability.
- BADP method
- BADP provides infrastructure such as health, education, roads, agriculture, sports, drinking water and sanitation, by convergence of central, State, UT and local schemes.
- VVP-I
- VVP-I was approved on 15 February 2023 for 662 select villages in blocks abutting the Northern border, in 4 States and 1 UT.
- VVP-II
- VVP-II was approved on 2 April 2025 for 1954 villages along International Land Borders other than the northern border, in 15 States and 2 UTs, till FY 2028-29.
- Nodal ministry
- BADP is run by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Scheme type and outlay
- VVP-II is a Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of ₹6839 crore till FY 2028-29.
- Coverage
- 1954 villages in blocks abutting international land borders, excluding the Northern Border covered under VVP-I.
- Focus areas
- Livelihood, roads, energisation, village infrastructure including health, financial inclusion, youth skills, cooperatives/SHGs/FPOs, tourism and culture, education, TV and telecom connectivity.
- Implementing ministry
- The scheme is run by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- BADP
- BADP funds basic infrastructure in villages near international borders; it is also a Home Ministry scheme.
- Outlay
- VVP-II is launched at a cost of ₹6,839 crore.
- Border covered
- It targets blocks adjoining the international border.
- Components
- The programme includes schemes on security, saturation of welfare schemes and connectivity.
- Ministry
- The scheme is run by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
- Assam share
- Assam has 140 villages in 26 blocks of 9 districts under the programme.
- Launch
- VVP-II is launched at Nathanpur village in Cachar district, Assam, on 20 February 2026.
- Type and outlay
- VVP-II is a Central Sector Scheme with an outlay of ₹6,839 crore up to FY 2028–29.
- Approach
- It uses a saturation-based and convergence-driven approach to develop border villages.
- Security role
- Residents are meant to act as the eyes and ears of the nation, aiding border security and preventing cross-border crime.
Don’t confuse with BADP vs VVP: BADP funds basic infrastructure in a 0-10 km border strip and is now in sunset phase. VVP gives comprehensive development to select villages in border blocks and is the current programme.
Don’t confuse with VVP-I vs VVP-II: VVP-I covers the Northern border (662 villages, 2023). VVP-II covers other land borders (1954 villages, 2025, till FY 2028-29).
Don’t confuse with Central Sector vs Centrally Sponsored: Central Sector schemes are fully funded by the Centre. Centrally Sponsored Schemes share costs with States.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Border villages get better infrastructure and services, which can reduce out-migration.
- Settled border populations strengthen security and surveillance.
- Better livelihoods and services in border villages can reduce out-migration and strengthen border security.
- Gives border villages roads, telecom, education and livelihood support, which reduces out-migration.
- Settled border populations strengthen border security and act as the eyes and ears of the state.
- Develops border villages and curbs out-migration, keeping border areas populated.
- Residents act as the eyes and ears of the nation, aiding border security and countering cross-border crime.
Problems
- Difficult terrain and remoteness slow execution of projects.
- Overlap between BADP, VVP and other schemes can cause coordination gaps.
- Difficult terrain, remoteness and weak last-mile delivery slow infrastructure work.
- Remote terrain, harsh weather and weak connectivity delay work and raise costs.
- Local jobs and livelihoods are scarce, so saturating welfare schemes may not stop migration.
- Difficult terrain, remoteness and poor connectivity slow work in border villages.
- Coordinating many departments for convergence and delivering on time is hard.
Way forward
- Strengthen convergence of central, State and local schemes under VVP.
- Monitor outcomes at village level and complete BADP committed works.
- Converge with other schemes and involve local communities, SHGs and cooperatives for asset upkeep.
- Converge with other schemes and monitor with local participation.
- Build livelihood options such as tourism, handicrafts and local enterprises.
- Monitor outcomes with clear village-level indicators and third-party review.
- Involve local communities and Panchayats in planning, and link livelihoods to local strengths.
Put in your answer
VVP-I: 662 villages in 4 States and 1 UT along the Northern border, approved February 2023.
VVP-II: 1954 villages in 15 States and 2 UTs along other land borders, till FY 2028-29.
Aim of the scheme: Develop border villages at par with others, stop migration and prevent infiltration.
Security through development: Strengthened villages let residents serve as the eyes and ears of the nation against cross-border crime.
- 2024Mains GS3 · Q19Examine border conflicts and security challenges with China and Pakistan; discuss BADP and BIM development.
- 2026Mains GS3 · Q10Discuss BADP and army civic actions to win locals in Ladakh; Sixth Schedule demand.
- 2020Mains GS3 · Q10Discuss denying militants local support and managing locals' favourable perception at borders.
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Single answer
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements about the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) and the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP): 1. BADP is implemented in villages within 0-10 km (aerial distance) of the first habitation at the international border. 2. BADP is presently in its sunset phase, with funds allocated only for committed liability. 3. Vibrant Villages Programme-I covers 1954 villages in blocks abutting the Northern border. 4. Vibrant Villages Programme-II covers villages along the Northern border only.
Which of the statements given above are correct?
True or false?
1 of 25
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.BADP covers villages situated within 0-10 km of the first habitation at the international border.
True. Coverage is 0-10 km aerial distance from the first habitation at the border.
2.BADP is presently in its sunset phase, with funds allocated for committed liability.
True. BADP is in its sunset phase.
3.Vibrant Villages Programme-I was approved in February 2023 for villages along the Northern border.
True. VVP-I was approved on 15 February 2023 for the Northern border.
4.Vibrant Villages Programme-II covers villages along the Northern border only.
False. VVP-II covers International Land Borders other than the northern border.
5.BADP is implemented by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
True. BADP is a Ministry of Home Affairs scheme.
6.Vibrant Villages Programme-II has been approved as a Central Sector Scheme.
True. It is a Central Sector Scheme.
7.VVP-II covers villages along the Northern Border.
False. The Northern Border is covered under VVP-I; VVP-II covers the other international land borders.
8.The programme includes Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat among its States.
True. These States are in the VVP-II list.
9.VVP-II is funded till FY 2028-29 with an outlay of ₹6839 crore.
True. Outlay is ₹6839 crore till 2028-29.
10.The programme excludes development of cooperatives, SHGs and FPOs from its focus areas.
False. Cooperatives, SHGs and FPOs are a focus area.
11.VVP-II is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development.
False. The Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal ministry.
12.Vibrant Villages Programme-II covers villages in 17 states and Union Territories.
True. The release says villages across 17 states are covered, and it lists Ladakh and Jammu and Kashmir among them.
13.The programme covers about 1,954 villages in 334 blocks adjoining the international border.
True. 1,954 villages in 334 blocks.
14.The programme was launched from a village in Assam's Barak Valley.
True. It was launched at Nathanpur village in Assam, and the release links the launch to the Barak Valley.
15.Vibrant Villages Programme-II is implemented by the Ministry of Rural Development.
False. It is a Ministry of Home Affairs scheme.
16.The programme includes components related to security, saturation of welfare schemes and connectivity.
True. The release lists these three types of schemes.
17.Assam has 140 villages under the programme, spread over 9 districts.
True. Assam has 140 villages in 26 blocks across 9 districts.
18.The programme is limited to the northern border with China.
False. VVP-II covers villages along international borders in 17 states, including Punjab, Rajasthan and Gujarat.
19.Vibrant Villages Programme–II is a Central Sector Scheme.
True. The release calls it a Central Sector Scheme.
20.VVP-II is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme in which States share the cost.
False. It is a Central Sector Scheme, not a Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
21.VVP-II is to be implemented across 15 States and 2 Union Territories.
True. Coverage is 15 States and 2 UTs.
22.VVP-II has an outlay of ₹6,839 crore up to FY 2028–29.
True. The outlay is ₹6,839 crore up to FY 2028–29.
23.VVP-II was launched from Nathanpur village in Cachar district of Tripura.
False. Nathanpur village is in Cachar district of Assam.
24.VVP-II follows a saturation-based and convergence-driven approach.
True. This approach is stated as the design of VVP-II.
25.The Border Area Development Programme is implemented by the Ministry of Defence.
False. BADP is a Ministry of Home Affairs scheme.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Mains practice
15 marks · 250 words
On 20 February 2026, the Union Home Minister launched the ₹6,839 crore Vibrant Villages Programme-II for border villages in 17 states. Examine the key features of the programme and discuss the challenges in developing border villages and preventing out-migration from them. Suggest a way forward.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.