DIP: 18.02.S11/20251004 
DOI: 10.25215/2455/1004S11 
Abstract
Rapid urbanization in India has exacerbated the challenge of providing adequate and affordable housing, particularly in disadvantaged urban areas. Initiated in 2015, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) is a flagship initiative of the Government of India aimed at addressing the substantial Housing for All deficit through its “Housing for All” mission. This study examines the various mechanisms through which PMAY enhances housing access for economically weaker sections (EWS) and low-income groups (LIG) in urban areas, as well as the implications for their livelihoods. Employing a mixed-methods approach, this study investigates the program’s distinct components, including Beneficiary-Led Construction (BLC), Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP), In-Situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR), and the Credit-Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS). This study evaluates the successes and challenges of PMAY implementation by reviewing existing literature, policy documents, and reports, alongside insights from case studies and quantitative impact assessments. It explores how the provision of a “pucca” (permanent) home, equipped with essential services such as water, sanitation, and electricity, contributes to improved living conditions, enhanced health and educational outcomes, increased social recognition, and, crucially, new opportunities for income generation and financial stability for the beneficiary households. The research underscores the ongoing challenges in execution, including land access, beneficiary identification, and quality assurance, and offers recommendations to enhance the program’s effectiveness in genuinely uplifting the urban disadvantaged.
The author(s) appreciates all those who participated in the study and helped to facilitate the research process. 
The author(s) declared no conflict of interest. 
ISSN 2455-670X