Government Schemes in India (2025–2013) – UPSC Prelims Ready Notes

Preparing for the IAS exam? Here’s your ultimate resource on Government Schemes UPSC 2025. This post provides a detailed, year-wise list of key schemes launched between 2013 and 2025 — including their objectives, eligibility, and features — tailored specifically for UPSC Prelims.

Schemes Launched or Updated in 2025

1. PM Vidyalaxmi Scheme

Objective:
To provide collateral-free and guarantor-free education loans to meritorious students.

Eligibility:
Students enrolled in:

• Top 100 NIRF-ranked institutions

• Centrally governed institutions

• State institutions ranked 101–200

Key Features:

• Digital loan disbursal via CBDC and e-vouchers

• Unified application through PM-Vidyalaxmi portal

• Interest subvention available

• Paperless, instant approval system

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Education

• Type: Central Sector

• Mode: Digital Platform

2. Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan (PMJUGA)

Objective:
To ensure saturation-based development in 63,000 tribal-majority villages.

Eligibility:

• Tribal-majority habitations

• 5 crore tribal citizens to be covered

Key Features:

• 25 interventions covering housing, health, education, and livelihoods

• Coordinated by 17 ministries

• Focus on pucca houses, skilling, digital infrastructure

• Targets saturation of government schemes

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Tribal Affairs

• Type: Centrally Sponsored

• Year: 2025 Implementation

3. MUDRA Yojana – Tarun Plus (2025)

Objective:
To expand funding support for micro-entrepreneurs who have previously repaid loans.

Eligibility:

• Successfully repaid earlier Tarun loans

• Non-corporate small businesses

Key Features:

• Loan limit increased to ₹20 lakh

• Credit backed by CGFMU

• No collateral required

• Higher funding for business expansion

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Finance

• Category: Tarun Plus (New 2025)

4. PMGSY Phase IV (2024–2029)

Objective:
To provide all-weather road connectivity to rural unconnected habitations.

Eligibility:

• Habitations with ≥250 people (hill/desert/tribal) or ≥500 (plains)

Key Features:

• Construction target: 62,500 km roads

• 25,000 unconnected habitations

• Includes bridge and culvert upgrades

• Implementation by states with central support

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Rural Development

• Time Frame: 2024–29

• Type: Centrally Sponsored

Schemes Launched in 2024

5. SWAYAM Plus Platform

Objective:
To offer job-ready, industry-aligned online courses in regional languages.

Eligibility:
Open to all learners, especially those in rural or underserved areas.

Key Features:

• Courses in AI, ML, IoT, finance, etc.

• Certification by industry leaders

• Vernacular delivery for inclusion

• Employability-focused

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Education

• Type: Online Platform

Schemes Launched in 2023

6. Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Scheme

Objective:
To empower traditional artisans with training, recognition, and tools.

Eligibility:

• Aged 18+

• Engaged in one of 18 traditional trades (e.g., carpenter, weaver, cobbler)

• Only one eligible member per family

Key Features:

• PM Vishwakarma Certificate and ID

• Tool grant: ₹15,000

• Skill training with stipend ₹500/day

• Loans up to ₹2 lakh in two tranches

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: MSME

• Type: Central Sector

7. VAIBHAV Fellowship

Objective:
To connect Indian diaspora scientists with Indian R&D institutes.

Eligibility:

• OCI/PIO/NRIs with PhD/MTech/MS

• Minimum 5 years research experience

• Institution in top 200 QS ranking

Key Features:

• Funding for collaborative research

• Mentorship of Indian researchers

• Strengthens international academic ties

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Science & Technology

8. PM-JANMAN

Objective:
To uplift Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) with integrated development.

Eligibility:

• 75 PVTG groups across 18 States & 1 UT

• No job card or ration card barriers

Key Features:

• Housing grant: ₹2.39 lakh

• Solar power systems, clean water, roads

• Geo-tagging via Awaas+ App

• Van Dhan Kendras for forest produce trade

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Tribal Affairs

• Type: Mixed (Central + Sponsored)

9. Aspirational Block Programme (ABP)

Objective:
To improve development indicators in 500 backward blocks.

Key Features:

• Monitors 40 indicators across 5 themes

• Health, Education, Infrastructure, Agri, Social

• Implemented in 329 districts

• Real-time data tracking

Prelims Pointers:

• Launched: 2023

• Model: Based on Aspirational Districts

Schemes from 2022

10. PALNA Scheme

Objective:
To support working women by offering daycare for children.

Eligibility:

• Children 6 months–6 years

• Mother must work at least 15 days/month

Key Features:

• 17,000 creches at Anganwadi centres

• Health + learning services

• Central + State implementation under Mission Shakti

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Women & Child Development

• Sub-Scheme of: Samarthya

Schemes from 2021

11. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)

Objective:
To establish a national digital health ecosystem.

Key Features:

• ABHA ID (Ayushman Bharat Health Account)

• Health Facility Registry + Doctor Registry

• Consent-based data exchange (UHI)

• Voluntary participation

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Health

• Type: Digital Infrastructure

12. National Mission for Edible Oils – Oil Palm (NMEO-OP)

Objective:
To reduce dependence on imported edible oils.

Key Features:

• Focus on oil palm expansion in NE & A&N Islands

• Financial support to farmers & processors

• Supply chain development

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Agriculture

• Year: 2021

13. Prithvi Vigyan Scheme

Objective:
To promote Earth system sciences research.

Components:

• Climate, Ocean, Seismology, Polar Research

• Long-term data, disaster forecasting

• Outreach & training

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Earth Sciences

• Year: 2021–2026

14. PM-AJAY

Objective:
To uplift SC communities through model villages and income support.

Key Features:

• Model “Adarsh Gram” development

• Skill training + infrastructure

• Hostels for SC students

• Unified portal for action plan monitoring

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Social Justice

• Year: 2021–22

Schemes from 2020

15. Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF)

Objective:
To boost post-harvest management and agriculture infrastructure investment through medium- to long-term loans.

Eligibility:

• FPOs, PACS, Startups, Agri-entrepreneurs, SHGs

• Central/state agencies and cooperatives

Key Features:

• Interest subvention: 3% on loans up to ₹2 crore

• Credit guarantee coverage for loans under ₹2 crore

• Tenure: 10 years (2020–2030)

• Real-time monitoring via MIS platform

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Agriculture

• Type: Central Sector

Schemes from 2019

16. PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi)

Objective:
To provide direct income support to farmers for crop and livelihood expenses.

Eligibility:

• Small & marginal farmers with up to 2 hectares of land

• Excludes taxpayers and institutional landowners

Key Features:

• ₹6,000/year in 3 equal installments

• Direct transfer to bank accounts

• Identification by States/UTs

• Integrated with Aadhaar and PM-KISAN portal

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Agriculture

• Type: Central Sector

• Year: 2019

Schemes from 2018

17. POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission)

Objective:
To reduce malnutrition and anemia among children, pregnant women, and adolescent girls.

Key Features:

• Growth monitoring devices at Anganwadi centers

• Focus on diet diversity, millets, and fortified foods

• Integrated Child Development Services + Jan Andolan

• Poshan Vatikas (nutri-gardens)

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Women & Child Development

• Merged into: Mission Saksham Anganwadi + Poshan 2.0

18. Unnat Bharat Abhiyan 2.0

Objective:
To connect academic institutions with rural communities for local development.

Eligibility:

• Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)

Key Features:

• Each HEI adopts at least 5 villages

• Promotes technology-based rural solutions

• Enhances village-level governance and livelihoods

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Education

• Phase 2.0: Challenge Mode

19. Aspirational District Programme (ADP)

Objective:
To transform 112 underdeveloped districts using competitive and cooperative federalism.

Key Features:

• Focus on 5 themes: Health, Education, Agriculture, Financial Inclusion, Infrastructure

• Monitored through 81 key indicators

• Real-time data on ‘Champions of Change’ portal

• NITI Aayog coordinates implementation

Prelims Pointers:

• Launched: 2018

• Coordinated by: NITI Aayog

Schemes from 2017

20. SWAYAM Scheme

Objective:
To offer free online courses to bridge the digital education gap.

Eligibility:
Open to school/college students, professionals, and lifelong learners.

Key Features:

• Courses from Class 9 to postgraduate level

• Delivered by IITs, IIMs, UGC, AICTE

• Includes assignments and online exams

• Free access; certification requires a nominal fee

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Education

• Platform: MOOC

Schemes from 2016

21. Stand-Up India Scheme

Objective:
To support SC/ST and women entrepreneurs in launching greenfield businesses.

Eligibility:

• At least one SC/ST and one woman borrower per bank branch

• Greenfield projects only

Key Features:

• Loans from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore

• Collateral-free, with CGFSI guarantee

• 51% ownership must remain with eligible category

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Finance

• Year: 2016

22. UDAY (Ujjwal DISCOM Assurance Yojana)

Objective:
To improve the financial health and efficiency of power distribution companies (DISCOMs).

Key Features:

• States take over 75% of DISCOM debt

• Bonds issued to repay liabilities

• Mandates AT&C loss reduction and smart metering

• Performance-linked results

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Power

• Optional participation by States

23. National Agriculture Market (e-NAM)

Objective:
To create a unified online market for agricultural produce across India.

Key Features:

• Online trading of agri-commodities

• Transparent price discovery

• Integrates APMC mandis nationwide

• Implemented by SFAC (Small Farmers Agribusiness Consortium)

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Agriculture

• Type: Digital Agriculture Platform

24. Vidyanjali Yojana

Objective:
To involve volunteers in improving co-scholastic areas of government schools.

Eligibility:
Retired teachers, professionals, homemakers, NRIs

Key Features:

• Allows voluntary teaching and mentoring

• Focus on reading, music, yoga, arts

• Recently added Vidyanjali Scholarship for IIT/NIT students

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Education

• Launched: 2016

Schemes from 2015

25. Pradhan Mantri MUDRA Yojana

Objective:
To provide collateral-free microloans to small businesses and non-corporate entities.

Categories:

• Shishu (up to ₹50,000)

• Kishore (₹50,001–₹5 lakh)

• Tarun (₹5–10 lakh)

Key Features:

• Loans via banks, MFIs, NBFCs

• MUDRA Card for working capital

• Tarun Plus added in 2025

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Finance

• Type: Central Sector

26. One Stop Centre Scheme

Objective:
To provide integrated support services to women affected by violence.

Key Features:

• Legal, medical, counseling, shelter under one roof

• Implemented at district level

• Funded through Nirbhaya Fund

• Part of Mission Shakti’s “Sambal” vertical

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Women & Child Development

• Year: 2015

27. Digital India Land Records Modernisation Programme (DILRMP)

Objective:
To digitize and modernize land records for transparency and accessibility.

Key Features:

• Unique Land Parcel ID (ULPIN)

• E-registration via NGDRS

• Linked with e-courts and Aadhaar

• Real-time land ownership records

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Rural Development

• Initially launched: 2008, revamped in 2015

Schemes from 2014

28. Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana

Objective:
To ensure universal banking access with zero-balance accounts.

Key Features:

• Basic Savings Bank Deposit (BSBD) accounts

• Overdraft facility up to ₹10,000

• ₹2 lakh accidental insurance

• Linked with Aadhaar and Rupay cards

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Finance

• Part of: JAM Trinity

29. Soil Health Card Scheme

Objective:
To inform farmers about the nutrient status of their soil and promote balanced fertilization.

Key Features:

• Card issued every 3 years

• Measures 12 parameters including NPK, pH

• GIS-based mapping

• Village-level soil labs

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Agriculture

• Year: 2014–15

30. Jiyo Parsi Scheme

Objective:
To arrest the population decline of the Parsi community in India.

Key Features:

• Medical assistance for fertility treatment

• Elder care and childcare support

• Advocacy and awareness campaigns

• DBT-based implementation

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Minority Affairs

• Target: Parsi community

Scheme from 2013

31. National Health Mission (NHM)

Objective:
To provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare to rural and urban populations.

Key Components:

• Subsumes NRHM + NUHM

• Focus areas: maternal, child, adolescent health, NCDs

• JSY, JSSK, and Communicable Disease Control included

• Digital Health IDs and telemedicine integration

Prelims Pointers:

• Ministry: Health & Family Welfare

• Launched: 2013