19 Feb 2026·Source: The Hindu

4 min

Polity & GovernanceEconomySocial IssuesNEWS

Centre Expands Development Scheme to 1,954 Border Villages

Vibrant Village Programme's second phase to cover villages along multiple borders.

The second phase of the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) will extend to 1,954 strategic villages along the land borders with Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar, covering 15 States and two Union Territories. This initiative, originally launched in 2023 for villages along the China border, aims to address developmental needs, promote livelihood opportunities, and ensure economic and cultural assimilation of the border population.

Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to launch the VVP-II program at Nathanpur village in Assam on February 20. The program seeks to enhance professional growth, social cohesion, and national integration in these regions.

Key Facts

The second phase of the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) will cover 1,954 villages.

The villages are located along the land borders with Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar.

The VVP covers 15 States and two Union Territories.

The VVP was originally launched in 2023 for villages along the China border.

UPSC Exam Angles

GS Paper II: Government policies and interventions for development in various sectors and issues arising out of their design and implementation.

Connects to syllabus topics like border management, inclusive growth, and regional development.

Potential question types: Statement-based MCQs, analytical questions on the effectiveness of border area development programs.

In Simple Words

The government is starting a project to help villages near India's borders. It's called the Vibrant Village Programme. The goal is to improve life in these villages by building roads, creating jobs, and making sure people feel connected to India.

India Angle

Many border villages in India lack basic facilities and opportunities. This program aims to change that, so people in these areas can have better lives and feel more integrated with the rest of the country.

For Instance

Think of it like a company investing in its remote branches. Just as a company provides resources to help its branches grow, the government is investing in border villages to boost their development.

This program matters because it helps ensure that people living in border areas have the same opportunities as everyone else in India. It also strengthens India's borders by making these villages more secure and prosperous.

Boosting border villages means boosting India's strength.

Visual Insights

Vibrant Village Programme Phase II Coverage

Map showing the states and union territories covered under the second phase of the Vibrant Village Programme.

Loading interactive map...

📍Assam📍Arunachal Pradesh📍Himachal Pradesh📍Uttarakhand📍Sikkim📍West Bengal📍Manipur📍Mizoram📍Nagaland📍Jammu and Kashmir📍Ladakh📍Punjab📍Rajasthan📍Gujarat📍Uttar Pradesh📍Bihar📍Meghalaya📍Tripura

Key Statistics of Vibrant Village Programme Phase II

Dashboard highlighting the key statistics related to the expansion of the Vibrant Village Programme.

Villages Covered: 1,954
States & UTs Covered: 15 States & 2 UTs

More Information

Background

The Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) is an initiative that focuses on the comprehensive development of villages along India's border areas. These border villages often face challenges such as limited infrastructure, lack of economic opportunities, and migration. The program aims to improve the quality of life for residents, encourage them to stay in their villages, and contribute to border security. The initial phase of the VVP, launched in 2023, concentrated on villages along the border with China. The need for such a program arises from the strategic importance of these border regions. Historically, border areas have been vulnerable due to their remoteness and lack of development. By investing in infrastructure, promoting tourism, and creating livelihood opportunities, the VVP seeks to transform these villages into vibrant economic and cultural hubs. This not only improves the lives of the residents but also strengthens India's border security by ensuring a stable and supportive local population. The Ministry of Home Affairs is the nodal ministry for the VVP. The program aligns with the broader government objective of inclusive growth and balanced regional development. It complements other initiatives aimed at improving infrastructure and connectivity in border areas, such as the construction of roads and bridges. The success of the VVP depends on effective coordination between various government agencies and active participation of the local communities.

Latest Developments

In recent years, there has been increased focus on border area development, particularly in the context of infrastructure and connectivity. The government has been actively pursuing projects to improve road and rail networks in these regions. This includes initiatives like the Border Area Development Programme (BADP), which aims to address the specific needs of people living in remote and inaccessible areas near international borders. Looking ahead, the government is expected to further enhance the scope and coverage of the VVP. This may involve increasing the financial allocation for the program, expanding the range of activities supported, and strengthening the monitoring and evaluation mechanisms. The success of the VVP will depend on effective collaboration between various stakeholders, including government agencies, local communities, and civil society organizations. Furthermore, the integration of technology and innovation is likely to play a crucial role in the future development of border areas. This includes the use of remote sensing technologies for infrastructure planning, digital platforms for service delivery, and renewable energy solutions for sustainable development. These initiatives are crucial for ensuring the long-term viability and resilience of border communities.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) and why is it important for UPSC aspirants?

The Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) is an initiative focusing on the comprehensive development of villages along India's border areas. It is important for UPSC aspirants as it relates to border security, inclusive growth, and Centre-State relations, all relevant for both Prelims and Mains exams.

2. What are the key facts about the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) that are important for the UPSC Prelims exam?

Key facts include that the second phase of the VVP will cover 1,954 villages along the borders with Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar. The program covers 15 States and two Union Territories. It was originally launched in 2023 for villages along the China border.

•1,954 villages covered in the second phase.
•Covers borders with Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar.
•Includes 15 States and 2 Union Territories.
•Launched in 2023 for China border villages.

Exam Tip

Remember the number of villages, states, and UTs covered. Also, note the countries with which the borders are covered under VVP-II.

3. How does the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) differ from the Border Area Development Programme (BADP)?

The Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) focuses on comprehensive development and livelihood opportunities in specific border villages, while the Border Area Development Programme (BADP) aims to address the specific needs of people living in remote and inaccessible border areas more broadly. VVP has a strategic focus on economic and cultural assimilation.

4. Why is the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) in the news recently?

The Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) is in the news because the second phase is being launched to extend the program to 1,954 villages along the land borders with Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar. Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to launch the VVP-II program at Nathanpur village in Assam.

5. What are the potential benefits and drawbacks of the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) from the perspective of a common citizen living in a border village? (Interview Question)

Potential benefits include improved infrastructure, increased livelihood opportunities, and better access to services, leading to an improved quality of life. Potential drawbacks could include displacement due to development projects, cultural disruption, and environmental concerns if not implemented sustainably. The program aims to ensure economic and cultural assimilation of the border population.

6. What are the important dates to remember regarding the Vibrant Village Programme (VVP) for the UPSC exam?

The key dates to remember are 2023, the year the Vibrant Village Programme was originally launched, and April 2025, when the Union Cabinet cleared VVP-II.

Practice Questions (MCQs)

1. Consider the following statements regarding the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP): 1. The second phase of VVP will cover villages along the borders with Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar. 2. The program aims to promote only economic assimilation of the border population. 3. Home Minister Amit Shah will launch the VVP-II program in Arunachal Pradesh. Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

A.1 only
B.2 only
C.1 and 3 only
D.1, 2 and 3

Show Answer

Answer: A

Statement 1 is CORRECT: The second phase of the VVP will extend to villages along the land borders with Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar. Statement 2 is INCORRECT: The program aims to promote economic AND cultural assimilation of the border population. Statement 3 is INCORRECT: Home Minister Amit Shah is expected to launch the VVP-II program at Nathanpur village in Assam, not Arunachal Pradesh.

2. The Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) primarily focuses on which of the following objectives?

A.Enhancing military infrastructure along the borders
B.Comprehensive development of villages along the northern borders initially, and later extended to other borders
C.Promoting industrial growth in border regions
D.Relocating border populations to urban centers

Show Answer

Answer: B

The Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) primarily focuses on the comprehensive development of villages along the northern borders initially, and later extended to other borders. This includes improving infrastructure, promoting livelihood opportunities, and ensuring economic and cultural assimilation.

3. Which of the following states/UTs are NOT covered under the second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP)?

A.Assam
B.Himachal Pradesh
C.Sikkim
D.Tripura

Show Answer

Answer: D

The second phase of the Vibrant Villages Programme (VVP) covers 15 States and two Union Territories along the land borders with Pakistan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Bhutan, and Myanmar. While Assam, Himachal Pradesh, and Sikkim are included, Tripura is not explicitly mentioned as being covered under this phase.