Prime Minister's Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE)

Overview

The Prime Minister’s Development Initiative for North East Region (PM-DevINE) is a Central Sector Scheme approved by the Union Cabinet in October 2022, with a total outlay of ₹6,600 crore for the four-year period from 2022-23 to 2025-26 (remaining years of the 15th Finance Commission). It is implemented by the Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER) through the North Eastern Council (NEC), with 100% Central funding.

PM-DevINE was designed to fill critical development gaps in the eight North Eastern states (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura) that cannot be addressed through existing Central or State schemes. As of February 2026, 48 projects worth ₹6,044.36 crore have been sanctioned, with 3 projects worth ₹176.11 crore already completed.

Objectives

• Address development gaps in the North Eastern Region that existing Central and State schemes cannot fill.
• Build infrastructure in alignment with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan.
• Support social development projects based on the felt needs of the NER.
• Enable livelihood activities for youth and women in the region.
• It is explicitly not a substitute for existing Central and State schemes — it fills gaps and complements ongoing programmes.

Key Focus Sectors

In collaboration with NITI Aayog, the following priority sectors have been identified for the North East:

• Infrastructure: Roads, bridges, connectivity projects aligned with PM GatiShakti
• Health: Basic infrastructure in primary healthcare centres, medical colleges
• Education: Infrastructure upgradation in government schools
• Startup Ecosystem: Supporting innovation and entrepreneurship in NER
• Tea Industry: Value addition and quality improvement
• Tourism: Eco-tourism and adventure tourism infrastructure
• Bamboo: Processing, value chain development
• Dairy and Pisciculture: Livelihood enhancement

Implementation Progress

How PM-DevINE Differs from Other NER Schemes

• 100% Central funding — unlike CSS schemes which require state matching contribution
• Gap-filling approach — addresses needs not covered by existing schemes
• Aligned with PM GatiShakti — ensures infrastructure coherence with national logistics planning
• NEC as implementing body — leverages the statutory body for inter-state coordination

Latest Developments

• 48 Projects Sanctioned (February 2026): As of February 2026, 48 projects worth Rs 6,044.36 crore have been sanctioned under PM-DevINE, covering the bulk of the Rs 6,600 crore scheme outlay.
• 3 Projects Completed: Three projects worth Rs 176.11 crore have been completed in the social and livelihood sectors, marking the first operational outcomes of the scheme.
• Budget 2025-26 — NER Allocation Boost: The Union Budget 2025-26 allocated Rs 5,915 crore for North East development, with PM-DevINE and connectivity projects in focus, reflecting continued priority for the region.
• Project Completion Push: The Ministry of DoNER has directed that efforts be made to complete all PM-DevINE projects by 2025-26 to avoid committed liabilities beyond the 15th Finance Commission period.
• Scheme Sunset Year (2025-26): PM-DevINE was designed for the four-year period 2022-23 to 2025-26. With 2025-26 being the terminal year, a decision on continuation or successor scheme under the 16th Finance Commission is expected.
• Progressive Sanctioning: Project sanctioning accelerated significantly — from 35 projects worth Rs 4,857.11 crore (by November 2024) to 48 projects worth Rs 6,044.36 crore (by February 2026), indicating rapid pipeline clearance in the final year.

Prelims Importance

• PM-DevINE was announced in Union Budget 2022-23 and approved by Cabinet in October 2022
• Central Sector Scheme with 100% Central funding (not CSS)
• Total outlay: ₹6,600 crore for 2022-23 to 2025-26
• Implemented through the North Eastern Council (NEC), not state governments directly
• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (DoNER)
• 48 projects worth ₹6,044.36 crore sanctioned as of February 2026
• Covers all 8 North Eastern states: Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, Tripura
• PM-DevINE is not a substitute for existing schemes — it fills development gaps
• Infrastructure projects aligned with PM GatiShakti National Master Plan
• NEC is a statutory body under the North Eastern Council Act, 1971 (amended 2002)

Mains & Interview Importance

GS2 — Governance, Federalism, Centre-State Relations:

• Discuss PM-DevINE as a model of asymmetric federalism where the Centre provides targeted development support to a specific region.
• Analyse the role of the North Eastern Council as an implementing body — does it ensure better inter-state coordination or create another bureaucratic layer?
• Evaluate whether a gap-filling approach is more effective than increasing allocations to existing centrally sponsored schemes.

GS3 — Economy & Regional Development:

• Discuss how PM-DevINE addresses the persistent development deficit of the NER despite decades of special category status, NESIDS, and other programmes.
• Analyse the alignment with PM GatiShakti and its potential to improve logistics and connectivity in the NER.

Analytical Questions:

• “Despite multiple development programmes for the North East over 75 years, the region remains underdeveloped. Is PM-DevINE any different? Critically evaluate.”
• “Discuss the institutional architecture of PM-DevINE and its advantages over the existing North East Special Infrastructure Development Scheme (NESIDS).”

Interview Angle: “The North East has received over ₹80,000 crore through various special schemes since 2014, yet development outcomes remain mixed. What systemic changes would you recommend beyond additional funding?”