Gajendra Singh Godara
Sep 2, 2025
10
mins read
Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) is a border‑centric development initiative announced in Union Budget 2022–23 to upgrade remote, strategically located villages with saturated basics - all‑weather roads, housing, power including renewables, telecom/Internet, health and education-while promoting tourism, culture, and cooperative value chains. It aims to deter out‑migration and strengthen border resilience by integrating local communities as active stakeholders in national security.
Building on the northern‑border focus of VVP-I, VVP-II (approved in 2025) expands support with 100% central funding-to strategic villages along other international land borders, deepening connectivity, livelihoods, and service delivery.
In April 2025, the Union Cabinet approved Vibrant Villages Programme–Phase II (VVP-II) as a 100% Central Sector scheme with an outlay of ₹6,839 crore.
Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II) targets comprehensive development of select villages in blocks abutting international land borders, excluding the northern border clusters already covered under Phase I.
The approval period runs up to FY 2028‑29, focusing on saturation of basic services, livelihoods, and connectivity to strengthen border resilience.
Table of content
Launch & Coverage
Approved on 15 Feb 2023, Vibrant Villages Programme-I (VVP-I) is a Centrally Sponsored scheme covering 46 blocks and 662 villages in 19 districts of Arunachal Pradesh, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and the Union Territory of Ladakh.
Vibrant Villages Programme-II (approved Apr 2025) is a 100% central scheme covering villages in remaining border states (Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, J&K, Ladakh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, West Bengal).
Objectives
VVP’s core aim is to prevent outmigration from border areas by improving quality of life and livelihoods. It seeks to create “prosperous and safe borders” by providing jobs, better housing, all-weather roads and utilities.
Key goals include 100% saturation of government schemes in these villages, curbing trans-border crime, and assimilating border residents “as eyes and ears” of India’s border forces.
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Key Focus Areas
The scheme emphasises multi-sector development – tourism and cultural heritage, skill development and entrepreneurship, local agro-/horticulture and medicinal plants, and cooperative societies.
Planned interventions include road connectivity, renewable energy (e.g. solar power), drinking water, housing, education (smart classrooms) and health centres.
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Village Action Plans
Implementation is driven by grassroots planning. District administrations and Gram Panchayats prepare Village Action Plans identifying local economic drivers (a “One Village–One Product” approach) and leveraging tourism and cultural assets.
Development is envisioned through a “hub-and-spoke” model – growth centres linking villages via local entrepreneurship, women & youth empowerment (through skill training), and cooperative ventures. All VVP works are carefully coordinated with states and border security forces, and explicitly do not overlap with existing Border Area Development Programme (BADP) projects.
Vibrant Villages Programme-II Approval: In April 2025, the Cabinet approved VVP-II as a Central Sector scheme (100% funding by Centre) with a total outlay of ₹6,839 Crore, from FY 2024-25 to 2028-29.
The scheme supports the vision of Viksit Bharat@2047 for ‘Safe, Secured & Vibrant Land Borders’.
Geographical Coverage: VVP-II targets villages in 17 states/UTs including Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh and West Bengal. Both phases together cover remote communities along India’s borders with China, Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan and Myanmar.
Saturation Focus (Thematic Areas) (VVP-II): The second phase deepens the first phase, funding is earmarked for infrastructure, value chain development (via cooperatives/SHGs), education, tourism circuits and cultural preservation. The programme also aims to saturate all villages in such blocks in 4 thematic areas, namely
All-weather road connectivity
Telecom connectivity
Television connectivity
Electrification
Convergence & Connectivity: VVP emphasizes convergence of all government schemes. It mandates 100% coverage of roads (Via PMGSY-IV (under Ministry of Rural Development), electricity, water and sanitation schemes in the selected villages. Telecom companies are encouraged to add cell towers, and Doordarshan/Digital TV facilities are extended to ensure border villagers have information access.
Livelihoods & Cooperatives: The scheme promotes local industries and cooperatives. Funds will support agricultural/horticultural value chains (e.g. spices, herbs), handlooms, handicrafts and eco-tourism initiatives. Training centres and self-help groups are set up to empower women and youth. In short, VVP villages are expected to produce and market local goods (akin to “one village-one product” models) for sustainable incomes.
Border Security & Governance: The Ministry of Home Affairs (Border Management Division) leads VVP implementation, under the broad umbrella of the Border Area Development Programme. VVP treats border villagers as integral to national security: they are enlisted as “eyes and ears” for the border forces. The programme also includes awareness drives on legal boundaries and removal of encroachments, as highlighted by recent policy directives.
Use of Technology : Implementation supported by digital tools like PM Gati Shakti platform for integrated planning and tracking.
Phases:
Vibrant Villages Programme-I (VVP-I), Time Period: 2023–29, Northern borders
Vibrant Villages Programme-II (VVP-II), Time Period: 2025–29, Other land bordersFunding:
VVP-I is Centrally Sponsored
VVP-II is 100% Central Sector (outlay ₹6,839 Cr)Coverage: ~3,000 villages in 19 districts of five northern frontier states (Arunachal, HP, Sikkim, Uttarakhand, Ladakh); plus villages in 17 other border states/UTs.
Infrastructure: All-weather roads (PMGSY), housing, schools, health centres, drinking water, electrification (including solar), telecom/Internet, community centers.
Economic Boost: Promotion of tourism routes, local crafts, organic and medicinal farming, cooperative markets and skill training (tailored to border ecology).
Governance: Village Action Plans by Gram Panchayats; 100% saturation of welfare schemes; inter-departmental coordination (MHA, Rural Dev., States).
Security Impact: Aims to reverse migration (build vibrancy), integrate border communities, and make them active contributors to border surveillance.
Q.What is the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)?
A. A government scheme (announced 2022) to develop remote villages in border blocks through infrastructure, livelihood, and security measures.
Q.Which areas/states does VVP cover?
A. Phase-I covers 19 districts of AP, HP, Sikkim, Uttarakhand and Ladakh. Phase-II extends to villages in Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Bihar, Gujarat, J&K, Ladakh, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Punjab, Rajasthan, Sikkim, Tripura, Uttar Pradesh, Uttarakhand, and West Bengal.
Q.Under which ministry/scheme is VVP implemented?
A. VVP is run by the Ministry of Home Affairs (Border Management Division) as part of border development initiatives (complementing the Border Area Development Programme). Phase-I is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme; Phase-II is 100% central funding.
Q.What are the main objectives of VVP?
A. To provide better amenities (roads, power, education, healthcare) and livelihood opportunities in border villages, thereby deterring migration, strengthening security, and making border communities vibrant and self-reliant.
The Vibrant Villages Programme represents India’s strategic push to secure and energize its borderlands through development. By channeling resources into remote border villages – building roads, schools, health centres, and job-creating activities – VVP aims to transform isolated frontiers into prosperous outposts of national strength. For UPSC preparation, VVP is a key example of integrated rural and border development, touching upon social infrastructure, cooperative movement, security and federal governance. Understanding its multi-dimensional objectives and implementation helps aspirants link scheme provisions with broader GS topics like infrastructure, human development, and internal security.
Internal Linking Suggestions
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External Linking Suggestions
UPSC Official Website – Syllabus & Notification: https://upsc.gov.in/
Press Information Bureau – Government Announcements: https://pib.gov.in/
NCERT Official Website – Standard Books for UPSC: https://ncert.nic.in
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