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 [caption id="attachment_26124" align="aligncenter" width="317"] Banner image for a UPSC preparation blog post titled 'Government Schemes in India (2025–2013)', featuring icons of a graduation cap, Indian flag, government building, and digital India symbol on a tricolor-themed professional background.[/caption] 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
