- Why in news
- On 12 March 2026, the Minister of State for DoNER told the Rajya Sabha that 48 PM-DevINE projects worth Rs 6,044.36 crore were sanctioned till 28 February 2026, and 3 are complete.
- What it is
- PM-DevINE is a Union scheme for infrastructure and social development in the eight North Eastern states. It was announced in Budget 2022-23 and funds projects that are proposed and carried out by state governments or agencies. It aims to fill gaps that other schemes leave.
- Outlay and period
- Cabinet approved ₹6,600 crore for four years, FY 2022-23 to 2025-26.
- Sanctioned projects
- By 28 February 2026, 48 projects worth Rs 6,044.36 crore were sanctioned, covering connectivity, power and social sectors.
- Completed projects
- Three projects worth Rs 176.11 crore are complete, in social and livelihood sectors.
- Who implements
- States and agencies propose and implement projects based on need and identified gaps.
- Continuation
- Continuation for the next Finance Commission cycle is decided under the prescribed appraisal and approval guidelines.
- Nature of scheme
- It is a Central Sector Scheme, fully funded by the Centre, under the Ministry of DoNER.
- Objectives
- The scheme seeks rapid and holistic development of the North-Eastern Region through infrastructure, social projects based on felt needs, livelihoods for youth and women, and filling development gaps.
- Who executes
- Projects under DoNER schemes are executed by implementing agencies of the State Governments, which hold primary responsibility for monitoring.
- Monitoring tools
- DoNER monitors through Field Technical Support Units, Project Quality Monitors and third-party inspection agencies. Reports go on the Poorvottar Vikas Setu portal, and progress is updated on the PM Gati Shakti Portal.
Don’t confuse with PM-DevINE vs NESIDS: Both fund North East development. PM-DevINE was announced in Budget 2022-23 as a Union scheme to fill gaps. NESIDS is a separate DoNER scheme for infrastructure.
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
- Funds infrastructure and social gaps in the North East.
- Fills infrastructure and social gaps that other schemes leave in the North East.
- Supports livelihoods for youth and women and builds state-led project capacity.
Problems
- Slow completion: only 3 of 48 projects were done by February 2026.
- Execution rests with state agencies, so delays and capacity gaps can slow projects.
- Only 48 projects have been sanctioned in about four years, which is a modest pace for a region with large gaps.
Way forward
- Closer monitoring of state-run projects, and a decision on continuation in the next Finance Commission cycle.
- Strengthen digital monitoring and link it with PM Gati Shakti for timely fixes.
- Build state agency capacity and speed up project appraisal.
Put in your answer
Digital monitoring: Projects are tracked through the Poorvottar Vikas Setu portal and the PM Gati Shakti Portal, with quality checks by PQMs and third-party agencies.
Cooperative federalism: Chief Minister-led task forces under the North Eastern Council give states a role in shaping regional strategy.
- 2022Mains GS2 · Q6Discuss Gati Shakti's need for government and private sector coordination for connectivity.
- 2025Mains GS3 · Q19Challenges to internal security and peace in North-Eastern States; map peace accords.
- 2019Mains GS2 · Q16Discuss multi-level planning as cost-effective and removing implementation blockages in development.
- 2026Mains GS3 · Q10Discuss Border Area Development Programme and Ladakh's Sixth Schedule demand.
- 2024Prelims Q70Which members comprise the North Eastern Council after the 2002 amendment?
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Statements
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements:
- 1.PM-DevINE was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 as a new scheme.
- 2.The Cabinet approved the outlay of ₹6,600 crore for PM-DevINE for a period of five years.
- 3.Projects under PM-DevINE are proposed and implemented by the concerned State Governments or agencies.
Which of the statements given above is/are correct?
True or false?
1 of 6
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.PM-DevINE was announced in the Union Budget 2022-23.
True. It was announced in Budget 2022-23 as a new scheme.
2.The Cabinet approved an outlay of ₹6,600 crore for PM-DevINE for a period of five years.
False. The period is four years, FY 2022-23 to 2025-26.
3.Projects under PM-DevINE are proposed and implemented by the concerned State Governments or agencies.
True. States and agencies propose and implement projects.
4.PM-DevINE is administered by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
False. It is administered by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region.
5.PM-DevINE is a Central Sector Scheme funded fully by the Centre.
True. It is a 100% centrally funded Central Sector Scheme.
6.Projects sanctioned under PM-DevINE are limited to the social sector.
False. Sanctioned projects cover connectivity, power and social sectors.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.