Progress of PM-DevINE scheme

1. At a Glance

PM-DevINE = Prime Minister's Development Initiative for North East Region; a 100% Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) funding infrastructure, social and livelihood projects in the 8 NE States [S1][S2][S4].
Outlay ₹6,600 crore over 4 years (FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-26), co-terminus with the 15th Finance Commission cycle [S2][S3].
Relevant for GS-II (Government Schemes, Centre-State, Regional Development) and GS-III (Infrastructure, Inclusive Growth); flagship instrument to plug "felt-need" development gaps in NER [S1][S2].

PIB release dated 12 March 2026 reported cumulative progress: 48 projects worth ₹6,044.36 crore sanctioned as on 28 Feb 2026; 3 projects worth ₹176.11 crore completed in social and livelihood sectors [S1].
Consultative Committee of MDoNER (chaired by Union Minister Jyotiraditya M. Scindia) reviewed PM-DevINE progress on 3 December 2025 at Parliament House Annexe [S4].

Announced in the Union Budget 2022-23 as a new scheme by FM Nirmala Sitharaman [S2][S3].
Cabinet approval: 12 October 2022 for the balance period of the 15th Finance Commission (2022-23 to 2025-26) [S3].
Builds on/complements pre-existing MDoNER instruments: NESIDS (North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme), NEC schemes, and Schemes of North Eastern Council [S2].
Designed to align with PM GatiShakti for convergent infrastructure planning [S2][S3].

Type: Central Sector Scheme, 100% Central funding [S3].
Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (MDoNER) [S2][S4].
Implementing arms: State Governments, North Eastern Council (NEC), and Central Ministries/agencies [S2].
Outlay: ₹6,600 crore (4 years, FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-26) [S1][S3].
Coverage: 8 NE States — Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura [S2].
Objectives (four): 1. Fund infrastructure convergently in spirit of PM GatiShakti. 2. Support social development projects based on felt needs of NER. 3. Enable livelihood activities for youth and women. 4. Fill development gaps in various sectors [S2][S3].
Progress (28 Feb 2026): 48 projects sanctioned, ₹6,044.36 crore; 3 completed (₹176.11 crore) [S1].

Economic — Plugs sectoral gaps in connectivity, power and social infrastructure; ₹6,044.36 crore commitment represents ~91.6% of total outlay sanctioned within 4 years, indicating high financial absorption [S1].
Administrative — Projects "proposed and implemented by concerned State Governments / Agencies" based on identified gaps; weekly review mechanism with tracking of expected vs. actual timelines reflects multi-layered monitoring [S1][S4]. Reveals a bottom-up federalism model but completion remains weak (only 3 of 48 done).
Social — Includes livelihood projects targeting youth and women; pilot tourism circuits: Sohra (Meghalaya) and Matabari (Tripura) [S2][S4].
Geopolitical / Strategic — NER is India's gateway to ASEAN under Act East Policy; infrastructure densification reduces insurgency-prone gaps and complements India-Myanmar-Thailand Trilateral Highway logic.
Governance — Distinct from earlier MDoNER schemes by avoiding piecemeal funding; designed to fund larger, end-to-end infrastructure rather than gap-filling micro-grants [S2][S3].

3 Dec 2025: Consultative Committee meeting under Shri Jyotiraditya M. Scindia reviewed comprehensive progress; MoS Sukanta Majumdar participated [S4].
28 Feb 2026 cut-off: 48 projects sanctioned worth ₹6,044.36 crore; 3 completed (₹176.11 crore) in social & livelihood sectors [S1].
12 Mar 2026: PIB release on State-wise progress (Annexure-based) [S1].
Tourism pilots: Sohra Circuit (Meghalaya) foundation stone laid; Matabari Circuit (Tripura) at advanced approval stage [S4].

PM-DevINE announced in Union Budget 2022-23 [S2].
Cabinet-approved on 12 October 2022 [S3].
Outlay ₹6,600 crore for 4 years (FY 2022-23 to FY 2025-26) [S3].
It is a 100% Central Sector Scheme (not Centrally Sponsored) [S3].
Nodal Ministry: MDoNER, implemented through North Eastern Council and Central agencies [S2][S4].
Period co-terminus with 15th Finance Commission [S3].
Aligned with PM GatiShakti for convergent infrastructure [S2][S3].
As of 28 Feb 2026: 48 projects worth ₹6,044.36 crore sanctioned; 3 completed (₹176.11 crore) [S1].
Pilot tourism circuits: Sohra (Meghalaya) and Matabari (Tripura) [S4].
One of four objectives: livelihood activities specifically for youth and women [S2].
Covers 8 North Eastern States including Sikkim [S2].
Consultative Committee chair (Dec 2025): Jyotiraditya M. Scindia [S4].

GS-II: Welfare schemes; Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors; Issues of Centre-State relations and regional development.
GS-III: Infrastructure; Inclusive growth and issues arising from it.
Question stems: 1. "PM-DevINE seeks to fill development gaps in the North East through end-to-end infrastructure projects rather than piecemeal grants. Critically evaluate its progress and implementation challenges." 2. "Discuss how schemes like PM-DevINE operationalise the spirit of PM GatiShakti in addressing regional imbalances in India." 3. "The North Eastern Region's strategic significance under the Act East Policy requires more than connectivity infrastructure. Examine in the context of PM-DevINE."

PM GatiShakti National Master Plan — convergence framework PM-DevINE rides on.
North Eastern Council (NEC) — implementing/coordination body.
NESIDS (North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme) — sister MDoNER scheme.
Act East Policy — strategic backdrop for NER development.
15th Finance Commission — scheme period anchor.
Article 371A–371H — constitutional special provisions for NE states.
Bharatmala / Sagarmala — comparable centrally funded infra programmes.
Mission Organic Value Chain Development for NER (MOVCDNER) — agri-livelihood complement.

Not Centrally Sponsored — it is a 100% Central Sector Scheme; do not confuse the two categories [S3].
Ministry confusion — implemented by MDoNER, not Ministry of Home Affairs or NITI Aayog [S2].
Outlay confusion — ₹6,600 crore (PM-DevINE) vs ₹12,882.2 crore (continuation of all MDoNER schemes approved separately) — these are distinct [S3].
Year confusion — announced in Budget 2022-23, Cabinet-approved Oct 2022; not 2023.
Coverage — includes Sikkim (post-2002 part of NER), not only the original "Seven Sisters".

[S1] Progress of PM-DevINE scheme (PIB, 12 Mar 2026) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2238832 — (tier 1)
[S2] Goals of PM-DevINE Scheme (PIB) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2003970 — (tier 1)
[S3] Cabinet approves PM-DevINE (PIB, Oct 2022) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1867079 — (tier 1)
[S4] Consultative Committee Reviews PM-DevINE (PIB, Dec 2025) — https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=2198599 — (tier 1)