Din Dayal Upadhyay Scheme Brings a New Dawn for Agricultural Labourers
The Din Dayal Upadhyay Landless Agricultural Labour Welfare Scheme is a flagship welfare initiative of the Chhattisgarh government. It aims to provide financial support and security to landless rural families whose livelihoods depend on agricultural labour and who own no cultivable land. Under the scheme eligible landless agricultural labour families receive an annual financial assistance of Rs 10,000.
From insecurity to a safety net
When rural agricultural labourers do not own land their incomes depend on seasons crop cycles and daily wage opportunities. Off season periods can push families into severe distress. To address this vulnerability and to raise net annual incomes the government launched this welfare scheme in the financial year 2024 25. The scheme seeks to provide a predictable income base that reduces dependence on local moneylenders and builds economic resilience for the most vulnerable.
What makes the scheme special
The scheme is designed with the rural poorest in mind. Its objective is a direct increase in household income by providing annual cash transfers. Funds are transferred through DBT directly to beneficiaries bank accounts ensuring transparency and reducing the role of intermediaries. This is not a paper exercise but a field level intervention and the figures reflect its success.
Impact and coverage in 2026
In 2025 the scheme benefited 5,62,112 beneficiaries with Rs 10,000 each amounting to Rs 562.11 crore disbursed via DBT. Building on this the 2026 cycle covers 4,95,965 beneficiaries with a total transfer of Rs 495.97 crore through DBT. The programme also includes 22,028 Baiga Guniya families reflecting targeted inclusion. Physical verification and e KYC for eligible beneficiaries of 2025 26 are underway to ensure seamless future disbursals.
Eligibility and application process
To qualify a family must be a rural resident landless with no recorded agricultural holding and primarily dependent on agricultural labour for livelihood. Applications can be submitted offline by collecting the prescribed form from the Gram Panchayat Janpad or block office and submitting it with required documents to the Panchayat Secretary or Gram Rozgar Sahayak. Online applicants can register via the scheme portal or at a nearest CSC. Mandatory documents include identity proof such as Aadhaar DBT enabled bank passbook copy linked mobile number residential or labour verification from the Gram Panchayat and a certificate from the revenue department confirming landless status.
