The Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) is one of the flagship schemes of the Government of India aimed at strengthening the rural power supply system and achieving complete rural electrification. Launched in November 2014 under the leadership of Prime Minister Shri Narendra Modi, the scheme is designed to provide 24×7 electricity to all rural households and ensure adequate power supply for agricultural needs.
The scheme replaced the earlier Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY), which has now been subsumed into DDUGJY. It addresses one of India’s biggest developmental challenges ensuring reliable electricity supply in rural areas for both households and agriculture.
In this blog, we have provided the DDUGJY scheme in detail, including its objectives, features, benefits, funding mechanism, achievements, challenges, and more.
What is Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY)?
The DDUGJY is a scheme of the Ministry of Power, Government of India, that aims to provide continuous and reliable electricity to rural India. It is part of the government’s larger goal of “24×7 Power for All”.
- Launch Date: 20th November 2014
- Launched By: Prime Minister Narendra Modi
- Implemented By: Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC)
- Budget: ₹75,600 crore (US$9.5 billion approx.)
- Main Focus: Feeder separation, strengthening rural distribution systems, metering at all levels, and ensuring round-the-clock electricity in rural households.
Why was the DDUGJY introduced?
The introduction of DDUGJY was essential because:
- High dependency on agriculture power supply: Earlier, rural power was mostly used for agricultural irrigation, leading to shortages for household consumption.
- Poor infrastructure: Sub-transmission and distribution systems in villages were weak and outdated.
- Low rural electrification levels: As per Census 2011, over 18,000 villages were still unelectrified by 2015.
- Need for reforms: Electricity theft, high losses, and insufficient planning affected rural development.
- Developmental Goals: Electricity is key for improving health, education, communication, business, and social security in rural India.
What are the main objectives of DDUGJY?
The scheme has the following objectives:
- Complete rural electrification
- Feeder separation
- Strengthening infrastructure
- Metering
- Support for agriculture
- Social development
What are the components of the DDUGJY scheme?
The major components of DDUGJY are:
| Component | Details | Purpose/Benefit |
| Separation of Agriculture and Non-Agriculture Feeders | Dedicated feeders for rural households and farms | Round-the-clock electricity for homes and adequate supply for farmers |
| Strengthening of Sub-Transmission & Distribution Infrastructure | New substations, augmentation of existing ones, and installation of distribution transformers | Ensures reliability and reduces power losses |
| Rural Electrification | Completion of electrification works sanctioned under RGGVY | Ensures coverage of all villages and households |
| Metering at All Levels | Installation of meters at transformers, feeders, and consumer points | Smart monitoring, prevents theft, and improves accountability |
| Micro-Grid and Off-Grid Solutions | Electrification for remote and difficult-to-reach villages, focus on renewable energy (solar, wind, biomass) | Provides clean and reliable power to underserved areas |
What is the role of the nodal agency?
The Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC) is the nodal agency. Its roles include:
- Implementing the scheme under the Ministry of Power’s guidance.
- Approving Detailed Project Reports (DPRs).
- Monitoring progress (both financial and physical).
- Developing a dedicated web portal for transparency.
- Deploying Grameen Vidyut Abhiyantas (GVAs) to track progress.
- Publishing reports through the GARV app for citizen participation.
How is DDUGJY funded?
The funding pattern is as follows:
- General States: 60% grant (up to 75% with milestones achieved).
- Special Category States: 85% grant (up to 90% with milestones achieved).
- Remaining Costs: To be covered by loans and state contributions.
Special Category States include: All North-Eastern States, Sikkim, Jammu & Kashmir, Himachal Pradesh, and Uttarakhand.
Budgetary Support:
- Total Investment: ₹43,033 crore
- Central Government Support: ₹33,453 crore
What are the benefits of the DDUGJY scheme?
The scheme provides multiple social and economic benefits:
- Village & Household Electrification
- Boost to Agriculture
- Support to Small Businesses
- Improved Education & Healthcare
- Digital Inclusion
- Social Security
- Increased Productive Hours
- Boost to Economic Growth
What challenges does the scheme face?
Despite its success, the scheme faces the following challenges:
- Electricity theft and misuse in rural areas.
- Poor infrastructure maintenance leading to frequent breakdowns.
- Low demand and revenue recovery due to subsidized tariffs.
- Political interference in power distribution.
- High operational costs for grid expansion in remote areas.
- Discrepancy in data: Several reports claim inflated electrification numbers.
What is the current status of DDUGJY?
The details about the current status of the scheme DDUGJY are as follows:
- By April 2018, the government declared 100% village electrification with Leisang village (Manipur) being the last unelectrified village.
- As of December 2021,
- 1,365 projects sanctioned worth ₹66,380 crore.
- ₹53,414 crore released as grants.
- 3,958 substations commissioned.
- 3.95 lakh distribution transformers installed.
- 2.96 lakh km LT lines and 1.23 lakh km of new 11 KV lines constructed.
- 1.22 lakh km of feeders separated.
How is the DDUGJY scheme monitored?
The DDUGJY scheme is monitored in the following way:
- Monitoring Committee: Chaired by Secretary (Power), approves and supervises projects.
- Tripartite Agreements: Between REC, State Government, and Discoms.
- GARV App & GVAs: Ensure transparency and citizen participation.
What are the exclusions under DDUGJY?
The scheme does not cover:
- Works already sanctioned under other schemes (RGGVY, NEF, R-APDRP).
- Service lines to APL consumers.
- Underground cabling.
- Cost of land for substations.
- Civil works other than substations.
- Vehicles, office equipment, and salaries.
- Smart meters/AMI systems.
What are the recent updates on DDUGJY?
The recent updates under the DDUGJY scheme are as follows:
- Mission-mode electrification accelerated progress after 2015.
- Electrification divided into 12-stage milestones.
- Monitoring strengthened through Review, Planning, and Monitoring (RPM) meetings.
- The government has shifted focus towards “24×7 Power for All” and integration of renewable energy.
Way forward with DDUGJY Scheme
To make rural electrification more effective and sustainable, several future-focused measures can be adopted. These steps not only ensure reliable power supply but also promote clean energy, accountability, and financial stability in the power sector. The key focus areas include:
- Promote microgrids and renewable energy for sustainability.
- Develop energy storage systems for rural power backup.
- Encourage solar streetlights and lanterns for homes.
- Adopt transparent monitoring to avoid inflated electrification claims.
- Strengthen off-grid electrification policies for remote regions.
- Improve tariff collection and reduce losses.
Key Takeaways of DDUGJY Scheme
| Aspect | Details |
| Full Form | Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) |
| Launched | November 2014 by PM Narendra Modi |
| Ministry | Ministry of Power |
| Nodal Agency | Rural Electrification Corporation (REC) |
| Replaced Scheme | Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana (RGGVY) |
| Budget | ₹75,600 crore (Approx.) |
| Objective | 24×7 power supply to rural households and adequate supply to agriculture |
| Key Components | Feeder separation, infrastructure strengthening, metering, micro/off-grid networks |
| Achievements | 100% village electrification declared in April 2018 |
| Special Features | GARV app, GVAs, mission-mode electrification |
Also Check:
Questions based on DDUGJY Scheme
Q1. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY) was launched in which year?
a) 2010
b) 2012
c) 2014
d) 2016
e) 2018
Answer: c) 2014
Q2. Which scheme has been subsumed under DDUGJY?
a) PM KUSUM
b) RGGVY
c) Saubhagya Yojana
d) UDAY
e) PM DAKSH
Answer: b) RGGVY
Q3. Who is the nodal agency for DDUGJY?
a) Power Grid Corporation
b) NTPC
c) Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC)
d) SECI
e) NHPC
Answer: c) Rural Electrification Corporation Limited (REC)
Q4. What is the main aim of feeder separation under DDUGJY?
a) Increase revenue
b) Reduce political interference
c) Separate power supply for households and agriculture
d) Ensure subsidy distribution
e) Improve tariff collection
Answer: c) Separate power supply for households and agriculture
Q5. Which mobile app was launched to monitor rural electrification progress?
a) BHIM
b) GARV
c) UJALA
d) VIDYUT
e) URJA
Answer: b) GARV
Q6. Which village was declared the last unelectrified village under DDUGJY?
a) Mawlynnong (Meghalaya)
b) Leisang (Manipur)
c) Baghmara (Madhya Pradesh)
d) Tura (Meghalaya)
e) None of the above
Answer: b) Leisang (Manipur)
Q7. What is the total approved investment for DDUGJY?
a) ₹23,000 crore
b) ₹43,033 crore
c) ₹66,000 crore
d) ₹75,600 crore
e) ₹90,000 crore
Answer: b) ₹43,033 crore
Q8. Under DDUGJY, the grant portion for special category states can go up to:
a) 60%
b) 70%
c) 85%
d) 90%
e) 100%
Answer: d) 90%
Q9. Which of the following is NOT covered under DDUGJY?
a) Service lines to APL consumers
b) Metering at consumer points
c) Feeder separation
d) Sub-transmission strengthening
e) Rural electrification under RGGVY
Answer: a) Service lines to APL consumers
Q10. Which ministry is responsible for DDUGJY?
a) Ministry of Rural Development
b) Ministry of Power
c) Ministry of Finance
d) Ministry of Panchayati Raj
e) Ministry of New & Renewable Energy
Answer: b) Ministry of Power
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