- Why in news
- On 22 January 2026 the Centre sanctioned over 10,000 km of roads under PMGSY-IV for J&K, Chhattisgarh, Uttarakhand, Rajasthan, Himachal Pradesh and Sikkim, to connect about 3,270 isolated habitations.
- What it is
- PMGSY-IV is the fourth phase of the rural road scheme run by the Ministry of Rural Development. It aims to give all-weather road access to habitations still unconnected under earlier phases. It also funds the bridges needed along these roads.
- Population thresholds
- Eligible habitations have 500+ people in plains, 250+ in NE and Hill States/UTs and special category areas, and 100+ in LWE-affected districts, as per Census 2011.
- Cabinet approval
- The Union Cabinet approved PMGSY-IV on 11 September 2024 for FY 2024-25 to 2028-29.
- Outlay
- Total outlay is Rs 70,125 crore: Centre Rs 49,087.50 crore and States Rs 21,037.50 crore.
- Original scheme
- PMGSY was launched in December 2000 as a centrally sponsored scheme for rural connectivity.
Don’t confuse with PMGSY-IV vs earlier phases: PMGSY-IV targets habitations still unconnected, using Census 2011 thresholds; earlier phases (I, II, III) dealt with new connectivity, upgradation and consolidation of routes.
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
- Connects isolated habitations to healthcare, education and markets, aiding inclusive growth.
- Prioritises hills, tribal, desert, aspirational and LWE areas.
Problems
- Difficult terrain, weather and forest clearances delay roads in hill and border States.
- Maintenance of built roads and State share funding are persistent concerns.
Way forward
- Use better planning, climate-resilient design and strict quality monitoring.
- Ensure timely State share release and long-term maintenance funding.
- 2013Mains GS2 · Q14Comment on PURA being rooted in establishing rural connectivity.
- 2001Prelims Q56Which listed rural schemes, including Gram Sadak Yojana, were announced in 2000?
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
With reference to the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana-IV (PMGSY-IV), consider the following statements:
Which one of the following is correct?
True or false?
1 of 7
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.Under PMGSY-IV, the scheme aims to provide about 62,500 km of all-weather roads to unconnected habitations.
True. The target is 62,500 km of all-weather roads.
2.PMGSY-IV targets unconnected habitations with a population of 250+ in plains areas.
False. The plains threshold is 500+; 250+ applies to NE, hill States/UTs and special category areas.
3.In LWE-affected districts, habitations with a population of 100+ are eligible under PMGSY-IV.
True. The LWE threshold is 100+.
4.Eligibility under PMGSY-IV is based on the Census 2011 population of habitations.
True. Census 2011 is the reference.
5.The Union Cabinet approved PMGSY-IV in September 2024 for implementation during FY 2024-25 to 2028-29.
True. Approved 11 September 2024 for FY 2024-25 to 2028-29.
6.The Centre bears the entire Rs 70,125 crore outlay of PMGSY-IV.
False. The Centre's share is Rs 49,087.50 crore; States bear Rs 21,037.50 crore.
7.PMGSY-IV provides for roads only, and bridges along the alignment are excluded.
False. Required bridges along the alignment of the roads are also provided.
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.