Also Read - Best IAS Coaching in India
1. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
Ministry: Ministry of Finance / Dept. of Financial Services
Objective: Universal access to banking facilities, financial inclusion.
Key features: Zero-balance bank accounts, RuPay debit card, overdraft facility, insurance cover.
Beneficiaries: Unbanked households, low-income groups.
UPSC relevance: Financial inclusion policy, digital payments, social security architecture.
2. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY – Urban & Gramin)
Ministry: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs; Ministry of Rural Development (rural variant)
Objective: Housing for all by providing affordable pucca houses with amenities.
Key features: Credit-linked subsidy, beneficiary-led construction, convergence with other schemes.
Beneficiaries: Economically weaker sections, low-income families, urban poor, rural poor.
UPSC relevance: Urbanization, affordable housing policy, rural development, convergence of schemes.
3. Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)
Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development
Objective: Provide at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment per rural household per year.
Key features: Demand-driven, wage payments, social audit, asset creation, women’s participation.
Beneficiaries: Rural households, vulnerable groups.
UPSC relevance: Rural livelihoods, right to work, public employment programs, poverty alleviation.
4. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Objective: Provide income support to small and marginal farmers.
Key features: Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) of fixed amount per year in instalments to eligible farmers.
Beneficiaries: Small & marginal farmer families owning cultivable land.
UPSC relevance: Agrarian distress, farm income support, DBT in welfare.
5. Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) — Gramin & Urban
Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti (rural Sanitation via Department of Drinking Water & Sanitation); Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (urban)
Objective: Eliminate open defecation; improve solid waste management; promote sanitation.
Key features: Community-led total sanitation, incentivizing toilet construction, behavior change communication.
Beneficiaries: Rural and urban population, public health.
UPSC relevance: Public health, sanitation policy, behavioral change, SDG targets.
6. Ayushman Bharat — Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)
Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Objective: Provide health insurance cover for secondary and tertiary care to vulnerable families.
Key features: Cashless hospitalisation, cover up to specified limit per family per year, portability across empanelled hospitals.
Beneficiaries: Poor and vulnerable families as per socio-economic criteria.
UPSC relevance: Universal health coverage, healthcare financing, public-private partnerships in health.
7. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Objective: Provide insurance coverage and financial support to farmers suffering crop losses.
Key features: Area-based yield assessment, low premium rates for farmers, swift claim settlement.
Beneficiaries: Farmers cultivating notified crops.
UPSC relevance: Risk management in agriculture, crop insurance design, climate resilience.
8. National Food Security Act (NFSA) / Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY) component
Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Objective: Ensure food and nutritional security by providing subsidised foodgrains.
Key features: Targeted Public Distribution System (TPDS), Antyodaya Anna Yojana for poorest. PMGKAY is an emergency free ration program.
Beneficiaries: Eligible households under TPDS, vulnerable sections.
UPSC relevance: Food security, PDS reforms, poverty-targeted programs.
9. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)
Ministry: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Objective: Provide LPG connections to women from poor households to reduce indoor air pollution.
Key features: Free LPG connection with deposit support; focus on rural women and below-poverty-line households.
Beneficiaries: Women from low-income households.
UPSC relevance: Clean energy access, gender and health linkages, environmental policy.
10. National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM) / Aajeevika
Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development
Objective: Poverty alleviation through self-help groups (SHGs) and sustainable livelihoods.
Key features: Formation of SHGs, financial inclusion, livelihood promotion, capacity building.
Beneficiaries: Rural poor households, women.
UPSC relevance: Microfinance, social capital, women's empowerment, livelihoods.
11. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)
Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development
Objective: Provide all-weather road connectivity to eligible unconnected habitations in rural areas.
Key features: Rural road construction and maintenance, inter-sectoral convergence for rural infrastructure.
Beneficiaries: Rural communities, farmers, local economies.
UPSC relevance: Rural infrastructure, connectivity and development, logistics, market access.
12. National Health Mission (NHM) — Rural & Urban components
Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Objective: Strengthen health systems and provide accessible, affordable healthcare.
Key features: NRHM (rural) and NUHM (urban): primary health centres, ASHA workers, maternal & child health programs.
Beneficiaries: General population, especially vulnerable groups in rural and urban poor.
UPSC relevance: Primary healthcare, health indicators, maternal & child health policy.
13. Digital India
Ministry: Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY)
Objective: Transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.
Key features: Broadband for all, digital services, e-governance, digital locker, skill development.
Beneficiaries: Citizens accessing government services, businesses, students.
UPSC relevance: E-governance, digital divide, cybersecurity, digital literacy.
14. Skill India (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana - PMKVY)
Ministry: Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
Objective: Skill training and certification to increase employability.
Key features: Short-term training, recognition of prior learning, placement-linked training.
Beneficiaries: Youth, unemployed, school-leavers.
UPSC relevance: Human capital development, employment policy, vocational education.
15. Make in India (linked schemes)
Ministry: Ministry of Commerce & Industry / DPIIT
Objective: Promote manufacturing, investment, and job creation in India.
Key features: Ease of doing business reforms, sectoral initiatives, investor facilitation.
Beneficiaries: Industry, MSMEs, workforce.
UPSC relevance: Industrial policy, FDI, economic growth, manufacturing competitiveness.
16. Startup India
Ministry: Ministry of Commerce & Industry / DPIIT
Objective: Build a strong ecosystem for nurturing startups in India.
Key features: Tax benefits, simplified compliance, patent support, incubation funding.
Beneficiaries: Entrepreneurs, tech startups, youth.
UPSC relevance: Innovation policy, entrepreneurship, employment generation.
17. Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)
Ministry: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Objective: Urban infrastructure improvement focusing on water supply, sewerage, parks, and urban transport.
Key features: City-level investment plans, project-based funding, service-level benchmarks.
Beneficiaries: Urban residents, municipalities.
UPSC relevance: Urban governance, sustainable cities, urban infrastructure financing.
18. Smart Cities Mission
Ministry: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Objective: Promote sustainable and inclusive urban development through integrated city planning and smart solutions.
Key features: Area-based development, pan-city initiatives, use of technology for urban services.
Beneficiaries: Urban populations in selected smart cities.
UPSC relevance: Urban planning, smart governance, public-private partnerships.
19. National Education Policy (NEP) Implementation Schemes (incl. Samagra Shiksha)
Ministry: Ministry of Education
Objective: Holistic reform of education from foundational to higher education; improve quality, inclusion, and skill-development.
Key features: Foundational literacy & numeracy, multidisciplinary education, teacher training, school infrastructure.
Beneficiaries: Students, teachers, educational institutions.
UPSC relevance: Education policy reforms, human capital, SDG-4.
20. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendras / Skill Hubs (under Skill India)
Ministry: Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
Objective: Create training infrastructure for skill development and vocational training.
Key features: Standardized training, industry partnerships, placement assistance.
Beneficiaries: Trainees seeking vocational skills, industry-ready workforce.
UPSC relevance: Skill ecosystem, employability, industry linkage.
21. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM)
Ministry: Ministry of Labour & Employment
Objective: Provide monthly pension to unorganized workers on attaining retirement age.
Key features: Voluntary, contributory pension scheme with government co-contribution for eligible subscribers.
Beneficiaries: Small and marginal workers in unorganised sector.
UPSC relevance: Social security for informal workers, pension policy.
22. National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)
Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development / Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (components)
Objective: Provide social assistance to poor elderly, widows, and disabled persons.
Key features: Pension schemes (Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension), disability and widow pensions.
Beneficiaries: Elderly, disabled, widows under poverty thresholds.
UPSC relevance: Welfare safety nets, social protection.
23. Atmanirbhar Bharat Package Schemes (various)
Ministry: Multiple (Finance; MSME; etc.)
Objective: Economic recovery and self-reliance across sectors post-crisis; support MSMEs, agriculture, and manufacturing.
Key features: Credit schemes, collateral-free loans, production-linked incentives, MSME support.
Beneficiaries: MSMEs, industry, farmers.
UPSC relevance: Crisis response, economic stimulus, manufacturing competitiveness.
24. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana – PMGSY (rural roads) — already listed (see #11)
(Note: Many central schemes have state-level iterations or linked programs — watch for overlaps in UPSC answers.)
25. National Clean Air Programme (NCAP)
Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (MoEFCC) / CPCB
Objective: Reduce ambient levels of particulate matter (PM2.5 & PM10) in non-attainment cities.
Key features: City-specific action plans, monitoring, source apportionment, capacity building.
Beneficiaries: Urban population exposed to air pollution.
UPSC relevance: Environmental policy, air quality management, public health.
26. Jal Jeevan Mission (Urban & Rural components)
Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti
Objective: Ensure safe and adequate drinking water through individual household tap connections (IHHL) in rural and urban areas.
Key features: Source sustainability, water quality monitoring, community participation.
Beneficiaries: Rural and urban households lacking piped water.
UPSC relevance: Water security, sanitation, SDG-6, infrastructure delivery.
27. Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)
Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Objective: Enhance fish production and productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, and boost fish exports.
Key features: Investment in infrastructure, fisher welfare, technology adoption, cold chains.
Beneficiaries: Fishers, fish farmers, allied industry.
UPSC relevance: Blue economy, fisheries management, coastal livelihoods.
28. National Nutrition Mission / Poshan Abhiyaan
Ministry: Ministry of Women & Child Development
Objective: Improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
Key features: Convergence of nutrition interventions, POSHAN Abhiyaan monitoring, community mobilisation.
Beneficiaries: Children (0–6 yrs), pregnant & lactating women.
UPSC relevance: Malnutrition policy, child development, maternal health.
29. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao (BBBP)
Ministry: Ministry of Women & Child Development; Ministry of Health & Family Welfare; Ministry of Education (joint)
Objective: Address declining child sex ratio and promote girl child education and empowerment.
Key features: Awareness campaigns, multi-sectoral interventions, community engagement, monitoring.
Beneficiaries: Girl children, families, communities.
UPSC relevance: Gender policy, social indicators, gender equity.
30. One Nation One Ration Card (ONORC) / National Food Security portability
Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution
Objective: Portability of food subsidy benefits across states for migrant workers and families.
Key features: Inter-state portability via Aadhaar/seeding, technological integration with PDS.
Beneficiaries: Migrant families, ration card holders.
UPSC relevance: Federalism, welfare portability, technology in PDS.
31. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (already included under PMAY #2)
(Reminder: UPSC often tests understanding of rural vs urban variants.)
32. Stand-Up India
Ministry: Ministry of Finance / Department of Financial Services
Objective: Facilitate bank loans between a defined range to SC/ST and women entrepreneurs for setting up greenfield enterprises.
Key features: Bank credit support, handholding, single-window facilitation.
Beneficiaries: SC/ST entrepreneurs and women entrepreneurs.
UPSC relevance: Financial inclusion, entrepreneurship, inclusive growth.
33. Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi)
Ministry: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
Objective: Provide micro-credit to street vendors to resume livelihoods post-disruption.
Key features: Small collateral-free loans, interest subsidies, digital lending.
Beneficiaries: Street vendors in urban areas.
UPSC relevance: Urban informal sector, microfinance, livelihood resilience.
34. Pradhan Mantri Shiksha Protsahan Yojana (PM-SPY) / Scholarship schemes (various)
Ministry: Ministry of Education; Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (different scholarship schemes)
Objective: Provide scholarships to meritorious and disadvantaged students to promote access and retention.
Key features: Merit-cum-means scholarships, targeted scholarships for SC/ST/OBC, girl students’ scholarships.
Beneficiaries: Students from disadvantaged backgrounds.
UPSC relevance: Education equity, affirmative action, human resource development.
35. PM Suraksha Bima Yojana & PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (Insurance Schemes)
Ministry: Ministry of Finance / Dept. of Financial Services
Objective: Provide affordable accidental death & disability insurance (PM Suraksha Bima) and life cover (PMJJBY) to subscribers.
Key features: Low premium, auto-debit mode, broad coverage for subscribers in banks/post offices.
Beneficiaries: Bank account holders with auto-debit consent.
UPSC relevance: Social security instruments, financial inclusion, risk pooling.
36. Paramparagat Krishi Vikas Yojana (PKVY) / Organic farming promotion
Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Objective: Promote organic farming and cluster-based organic production.
Key features: Farmer clusters, certification, market linkage, capacity building.
Beneficiaries: Farmers adopting organic agriculture.
UPSC relevance: Sustainable agriculture, organic farming policy, soil health.
37. National Rural Health Mission (part of NHM) — ASHA Program
Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Objective: Strengthen grassroots health delivery via Accredited Social Health Activists (ASHA) for maternal and child health.
Key features: Community mobilisers, performance-linked incentives, primary care outreach.
Beneficiaries: Rural households, pregnant women, children.
UPSC relevance: Community health workers, primary care, health system strengthening.
38. Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana (DDUGJY)
Ministry: Ministry of Power
Objective: Rural electrification, strengthening sub-transmission and distribution networks.
Key features: Household electrification (Saubhagya), feeder separation, metering.
Beneficiaries: Rural households, agricultural and rural enterprises.
UPSC relevance: Energy access, rural infrastructure, electrification policy.
39. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (PMGKY) components — welfare response
Ministry: Various (Finance; Consumer Affairs)
Objective: Provide relief and support to vulnerable sections during crises (e.g., free rations, cash transfers).
Key features: Food distribution, cash assistance, insurance for health workers.
Beneficiaries: Poor households, frontline workers.
UPSC relevance: Crisis management, social protection during emergencies.
40. National Mission for Sustainable Agriculture (NMSA)
Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Objective: Promote sustainable agriculture through water-use efficiency, soil health, and climate resilience.
Key features: Micro-irrigation, soil health card scheme integration, climate-resilient practices.
Beneficiaries: Farmers, agriculture stakeholders.
UPSC relevance: Agrarian sustainability, climate adaptation, resource-use efficiency.
41. Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY) — Remunerative Approaches for Agriculture
Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Objective: Incentivize states to invest in agricultural development and enhance productivity.
Key features: State-submission of projects, focus on value chains and infrastructure.
Beneficiaries: Farmers, state agriculture sectors.
UPSC relevance: Centre-state fiscal cooperation, agricultural investment.
42. National Bamboo Mission (NBM)
Ministry: Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region / Ministry of Agriculture (earlier)
Objective: Promote bamboo cultivation and value addition for livelihood and industrial use.
Key features: Technology dissemination, cluster development, market linkages, replanting.
Beneficiaries: Farmers, artisans, MSMEs, especially in NE India.
UPSC relevance: Non-timber forest produce, livelihood diversification, regional development.
43. National AYUSH Mission (NAM)
Ministry: Ministry of AYUSH
Objective: Strengthen AYUSH systems (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy) for health service delivery.
Key features: Co-location with health facilities, quality control, training and research.
Beneficiaries: Patients seeking traditional medicine, rural communities.
UPSC relevance: Integrative health policy, traditional medicine, public health pluralism.
44. National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) — now under Jal Jeevan Mission (rural)
Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti
Objective: Ensure safe drinking water in rural areas.
Key features: Source sustainability, water quality testing, community-level service monitoring.
Beneficiaries: Rural households.
UPSC relevance: Water service delivery, public health, rural infrastructure.
45. Pradhan Mantri Gramin Awaas Yojana (PMAY-G) — rural housing (see #2 for PMAY general)
Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development
Objective: Provide pucca houses with basic amenities to rural poor.
Key features: Central assistance, beneficiary identification, habitat mapping.
Beneficiaries: Rural poor families without houses.
UPSC relevance: Housing policy, rural poverty alleviation.
46. PM Vishwakarma (craftsmen support) / Crafts related schemes (various)
Ministry: Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises; Ministry of Textiles (depending on scheme)
Objective: Skill development, credit, and market support for traditional craftsmen and artisans.
Key features: Training, toolkits, credit, market linkages, e-commerce support.
Beneficiaries: Artisans, vocational workers, MSMEs.
UPSC relevance: Informal sector support, heritage crafts, employment generation.
47. Saubhagya (Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana) — universal household electrification (now merged with Deendayal schemes)
Ministry: Ministry of Power
Objective: Electrify all remaining households.
Key features: Free connections, last-mile connectivity, data-driven targeting.
Beneficiaries: Unelectrified households.
UPSC relevance: Universal service delivery, SDG-7, rural electrification.
48. National Agricultural Market (e-NAM)
Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Objective: Create a unified national market for agricultural commodities through an electronic trading portal.
Key features: Online bidding, quality assaying, price discovery, market linkage across mandis.
Beneficiaries: Farmers, traders, agribusiness.
UPSC relevance: Market reforms, agri-marketing, digital platforms easing trade.
49. National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM)
Ministry: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Objective: Reduce urban poverty by enabling self-employment and wage employment opportunities.
Key features: Formation of SHGs, skill training, easy access to credit, shelter for urban homeless.
Beneficiaries: Urban poor, slum dwellers, street vendors.
UPSC relevance: Urban poverty alleviation, informal sector policy, livelihoods.
50. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana 2.0 (continuation / expansion of PMUY)
Ministry: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Objective: Extend clean cooking fuel access to more beneficiaries and refill affordability.
Key features: New LPG connections, targeted subsidy or support for refills, focus on sustainability.
Beneficiaries: Rural and urban low-income households.
UPSC relevance: Clean energy transitions, women’s health, energy policy.
51. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY)
Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare / Ministry of Rural Development
Objective: Provide pension to small and marginal farmers on attaining 60 years of age.
Key features: Voluntary, contributory pension; government co-contribution; minimum assured pension; DBT-mode implementation.
Beneficiaries: Small and marginal farmers meeting eligibility criteria.
UPSC relevance: Social security for farmers, rural welfare, agrarian distress mitigation.
52. Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
Ministry: Ministry of Finance / Dept. of Financial Services
Objective: Provide defined pension to workers in the unorganised sector.
Key features: Auto-debit contribution, fixed pension slabs, Government co-contribution for eligible subscribers.
Beneficiaries: Unorganised sector workers, informal economy.
UPSC relevance: Pension reforms, financial inclusion, social security architecture.
53. e-Shram Portal & Database
Ministry: Ministry of Labour & Employment
Objective: Create a national database of unorganised workers to extend social security and targeted services.
Key features: Voluntary registration, unique e-Shram card, data-sharing with ministries for welfare delivery.
Beneficiaries: Unorganised sector workers (migrant labour, domestic workers, construction workers).
UPSC relevance: Informal economy mapping, targeted welfare, labour policy.
54. National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme (NAPS)
Ministry: Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship / Ministry of Labour & Employment
Objective: Promote apprenticeship training to enhance employability and industry linkage.
Key features: Incentives to employers for hiring apprentices, standardized apprenticeships, stipends support.
Beneficiaries: Youth, industry seeking skilled workforce.
UPSC relevance: Skill development, industry-academia linkage, employment policy.
55. Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS)
Ministry: Ministry of Education / Ministry of Food & Public Distribution (implementation)
Objective: Improve nutrition and increase school attendance by providing free meals to schoolchildren.
Key features: Hot cooked meals in government and government-aided schools; nutritional norms; decentralized implementation.
Beneficiaries: Primary and upper primary school children.
UPSC relevance: Nutrition policy, education incentives, public service delivery.
56. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)
Ministry: Ministry of Women & Child Development
Objective: Holistic development of children under six, and pregnant & lactating mothers.
Key features: Supplementary nutrition, Anganwadi services, growth monitoring, pre-school education, health referrals.
Beneficiaries: Children (0–6 yrs), pregnant & lactating women.
UPSC relevance: Child development, malnutrition, welfare architecture.
57. Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)
Ministry: Ministry of Women & Child Development
Objective: Provide cash maternity benefits to pregnant and lactating women for improved health and nutrition.
Key features: Conditional cash transfers linked to antenatal care and institutional deliveries.
Beneficiaries: Pregnant & lactating women from eligible households.
UPSC relevance: Maternal health policy, conditional cash transfer schemes.
58. NIPUN Bharat (National Initiative for Proficiency in Reading with Understanding and Numeracy)
Ministry: Ministry of Education
Objective: Ensure foundational literacy and numeracy for children by Class 3.
Key features: State implementation plans, capacity building for teachers, learning outcomes monitoring, community involvement.
Beneficiaries: Primary school children.
UPSC relevance: Early education policy, learning outcomes, SDG-4 targets.
59. Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (ABDM)
Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare / MeitY collaboration
Objective: Create a digital health ecosystem with unique health IDs, digital health records, and registries.
Key features: Health ID, personal health records, health facility registry, interoperability standards.
Beneficiaries: Patients, healthcare providers, policy planners.
UPSC relevance: Digital health, data governance, UHC enabler.
60. National Career Service (NCS)
Ministry: Ministry of Labour & Employment
Objective: Provide a digital platform for jobseekers, employers, and career counsellors to facilitate job matching.
Key features: Online job portal, skill mapping, career counselling, placement assistance.
Beneficiaries: Jobseekers, employers, students.
UPSC relevance: Employment facilitation, digital platforms for governance.
61. Pradhan Mantri Bhartiya Janaushadhi Pariyojana (PMBJP)
Ministry: Ministry of Chemicals & Fertilizers / Department of Pharmaceuticals
Objective: Make quality generic medicines affordable and accessible through dedicated stores (Jan Aushadhi Kendras).
Key features: Subsidized generics, network of kendras, public awareness campaigns.
Beneficiaries: General public, lower-income patients.
UPSC relevance: Health affordability, pharmaceutical policy, access to medicines.
62. Gramin Bhandaran Yojana (GBY) / Scheme for Creation of Rural Godowns
Ministry: Ministry of Food & Public Distribution
Objective: Provide storage infrastructure in rural areas to prevent distress sale of farm produce.
Key features: Grant-in-aid for warehouse construction, capacity enhancement, awareness.
Beneficiaries: Farmers, rural traders.
UPSC relevance: Post-harvest infrastructure, price stability, agricultural markets.
63. Mission for Integrated Development of Horticulture (MIDH)
Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Objective: Promote holistic growth of horticulture involving production, post-harvest management, processing, and marketing.
Key features: Technology dissemination, micro-irrigation, protected cultivation, cold chain development.
Beneficiaries: Horticulture farmers, allied industries.
UPSC relevance: Diversification of agriculture, nutrition-sensitive agriculture.
64. Soil Health Card Scheme (SHC)
Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Objective: Provide farmers with soil nutrient status and fertilizer recommendations to improve productivity and soil health.
Key features: Periodic soil testing, issuance of SHCs with crop-wise recommendations, database for policy.
Beneficiaries: Farmers, extension workers.
UPSC relevance: Sustainable agriculture, soil management, input-use efficiency.
65. Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)
Ministry: Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME)
Objective: Promote self-employment and generate employment opportunities through establishment of micro-enterprises.
Key features: Credit-linked subsidy, bank finance, project cost caps, cluster approach.
Beneficiaries: New entrepreneurs, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas.
UPSC relevance: MSME promotion, rural employment, microenterprise policy.
66. Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE)
Ministry: Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME)
Objective: Provide collateral-free credit to MSEs by guaranteeing loans extended by lending institutions.
Key features: Credit guarantee cover, risk-sharing mechanism, accessibility for small borrowers.
Beneficiaries: Micro and small entrepreneurs lacking collateral.
UPSC relevance: Financial inclusion for MSMEs, credit market functioning.
67. BharatNet (National Optical Fibre Network)
Ministry: Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology / Department of Telecommunications
Objective: Provide high-speed digital connectivity to rural areas through optical fibre.
Key features: Last-mile connectivity to Gram Panchayats, public internet access, support for e-governance.
Beneficiaries: Rural citizens, government service delivery.
UPSC relevance: Digital divide reduction, rural connectivity, e-governance infrastructure.
68. UJALA (Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All) / UJALA Scheme
Ministry: Ministry of Power / Energy Efficiency Services Limited (EESL)
Objective: Promote energy efficiency by distributing LED bulbs to households and replace incandescent bulbs.
Key features: Bulk procurement, subsidized LED distribution, awareness on energy saving.
Beneficiaries: Households, energy sector.
UPSC relevance: Energy efficiency, demand-side management, sustainable development.
69. National Action Plan on Climate Change (NAPCC) & Mission Components
Ministry: NITI Aayog / Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change (coordination)
Objective: Address climate change through eight national missions (solar, energy efficiency, sustainable habitat, etc.).
Key features: Mission-based approach, cross-sectoral mitigation and adaptation, state-level actions.
Beneficiaries: Economy-wide; vulnerable communities targeted via specific missions.
UPSC relevance: Climate policy, mitigation/adaptation strategies, international commitments.
70. National Programme for Control of Blindness & Visual Impairment (NPCB)
Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Objective: Reduce the prevalence of blindness through prevention, treatment, and capacity building.
Key features: Cataract surgeries, eye-care infrastructure, screening camps, public awareness.
Beneficiaries: Visually impaired persons, at-risk populations.
UPSC relevance: Public health interventions, NCDs and disability policy.
71. National Scholarship Portal (NSP) / Central Scholarship Schemes
Ministry: Ministry of Electronics & IT & Ministry of Education (implementation via nodal agencies)
Objective: Single-window scholarship application and disbursement platform for students.
Key features: DBT to beneficiaries, integration with various central/state scholarships, grievance redressal.
Beneficiaries: Students from SC/ST/OBC/minority and meritorious categories.
UPSC relevance: Education equity, digital governance in welfare, DBT mechanisms.
72. Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA)
Ministry: Ministry of Electronics & Information Technology (MeitY)
Objective: Impart digital literacy to rural citizens enabling meaningful use of digital services.
Key features: Training modules, certification, local training partners, focus on marginalized groups.
Beneficiaries: Rural households, marginalized populations.
UPSC relevance: Digital literacy, inclusion, e-governance uptake.
73. Mission Indradhanush / Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI)
Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Objective: Improve immunization coverage by reaching children and pregnant women with vaccines.
Key features: Focused outreach in high-risk areas, batch-based intensification, monitoring indices.
Beneficiaries: Children under five, pregnant women.
UPSC relevance: Public health, immunization policy, maternal & child health.
74. National Programme for the Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS)
Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Objective: Prevent and manage major non-communicable diseases (NCDs) via screening, early diagnosis, and treatment.
Key features: NCD clinics, population-based screening, capacity building of health workforce.
Beneficiaries: General population at risk of NCDs.
UPSC relevance: Changing disease burden, health systems response to NCDs.
75. Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) — already covered under Ayushman Bharat but worth a focused note
Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Objective: Provide health insurance coverage for secondary and tertiary care to vulnerable families.
Key features: Cashless treatment, empanelled hospitals, defined coverage limits.
Beneficiaries: Poor and vulnerable families identified by socio-economic criteria.
UPSC relevance: UHC, health financing, equity in healthcare.
76. Swachh Bharat Mission – Solid Waste Management (SBM-SWM) (urban component under SBM)
Ministry: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Objective: Scientific management of municipal solid waste in urban local bodies.
Key features: Waste collection, segregation, processing, waste-to-energy, decentralised solutions.
Beneficiaries: Urban residents, municipal bodies.
UPSC relevance: Urban sanitation, sustainable waste management, SDG implementation.
77. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) — already listed at #1; here focus on specific DBT role
Ministry: Ministry of Finance / Dept. of Financial Services
Objective: Universal access to banking & facilitate DBT for welfare schemes.
Key features: Zero-balance accounts, RuPay cards, overdraft facility, direct transfers.
Beneficiaries: Unbanked households.
UPSC relevance: Financial inclusion enabling DBT and transparency.
78. National Livestock Mission (NLM)
Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Objective: Promote sustainable growth of the livestock sector through breeding, feed & fodder, and animal health interventions.
Key features: Breed improvement, vaccination drives, farmer awareness, productivity enhancement.
Beneficiaries: Livestock owners, rural households dependent on animal husbandry.
UPSC relevance: Livelihood diversification, allied sector development, food security.
79. National Fisheries Development Board (NFDB) Schemes / PMMSY continuation reference
Ministry: Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying
Objective: Implement fisheries development programs including aquaculture, fish farmer welfare, and marketing.
Key features: Infrastructure grants, hatchery support, mechanization, fish seed distribution.
Beneficiaries: Fishers and fish farmers.
UPSC relevance: Blue economy, coastal livelihoods, export potential.
80. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) — already at #9; further emphasis on health & environment links
Ministry: Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas
Objective: Provide LPG connections to reduce indoor air pollution.
Key features: Free connections, focus on rural women, refill access.
Beneficiaries: Women and households using solid fuels.
UPSC relevance: Clean cooking fuels, gendered health impacts, climate co-benefits.
81. National Urban Renewal Mission Components – (e.g., Smart Cities / AMRUT already covered) — include focus on Heritage City Development & Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY)
Ministry: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs / Ministry of Culture (HRIDAY)
Objective: Preserve cultural heritage while integrating urban planning and tourism.
Key features: Area-based conservation plans, heritage-sensitive development, tourism promotion.
Beneficiaries: Cities with heritage importance, local communities.
UPSC relevance: Cultural heritage conservation, sustainable urban tourism.
82. National Action Plan for Climate Change – National Adaptation Fund (examples of adaptation funding)
Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate Change
Objective: Finance adaptation projects to address climate vulnerabilities in sectors/states.
Key features: Project-based grant funding, state proposals, focus on vulnerable sectors.
Beneficiaries: Climate-vulnerable communities and sectors.
UPSC relevance: Climate finance, adaptation policy, resilience building.
83. Pradhan Mantri Gramin Aajeevika Mission — NRLM focus (already #10) — note on Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY) umbrella
Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development
Objective: Consolidated approach for rural livelihoods via SHGs and value-chains.
Key features: SHG formation, bank linkages, enterprise development, convergence.
Beneficiaries: Rural poor, women SHGs.
UPSC relevance: Rural empowerment, microfinance, women's livelihoods.
84. National Urban Housing Mission — PMAY (Urban) deeper note (already #2) — include credit-linked subsidy emphasis
Ministry: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Objective: Affordable housing through demand-side subsidies and credit-linked subsidy.
Key features: In-situ slum redevelopment, affordable housing projects, beneficiary-led construction.
Beneficiaries: Economically weaker sections and low-income groups in urban areas.
UPSC relevance: Urban poverty alleviation, housing policy, SDG-11.
85. Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-dhan (PM-SYM) — already #21 but emphasize portability & DBT linkages
Ministry: Ministry of Labour & Employment
Objective: Pension for unorganised workers; encourage formal savings.
Key features: Monthly pension, government co-contribution for eligible subscribers.
Beneficiaries: Unorganised sector workers.
UPSC relevance: Social security comprehensive coverage, formalizing informal labour.
86. Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM) — already #49; focus on shelter and training components
Ministry: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Objective: Reduce urban poverty through skill development, SHGs, and shelter for the homeless.
Key features: Skill training, micro-enterprise support, urban self-employment programs, shelter components.
Beneficiaries: Urban poor, homeless.
UPSC relevance: Urban poverty policies, informal sector support.
87. National Clean Energy Programme – Rooftop Solar, PM-KUSUM components
Ministry: Ministry of New & Renewable Energy (MNRE)
Objective: Increase renewable energy capacity via small-scale installations and support for farmers’ solarization.
Key features: Rooftop solar incentives, solar pumps, farmer-centric schemes (PM-KUSUM).
Beneficiaries: Farmers, households, businesses.
UPSC relevance: Renewable energy policy, energy transition, farmer income diversification.
88. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY) — Food Processing / SAMPADA legacy
Ministry: Ministry of Food Processing Industries
Objective: Create modern food processing infrastructure to reduce wastage and increase value addition.
Key features: Grants for food parks, cold chains, mechanization, branding.
Beneficiaries: Farmers, food processors, SMEs.
UPSC relevance: Value-chain enhancement, post-harvest management, agro-processing.
89. National Programme for Skill Development — (umbrella including PMKVY — already #14) — note on Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Ministry: Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
Objective: Recognize and certify skills acquired informally to improve employability.
Key features: Short-term training, RPL certification, industry-aligned curriculum.
Beneficiaries: Informal sector workers, youth lacking formal education.
UPSC relevance: Skills certification, formalizing informal skills, employability.
90. One Rank One Pension (OROP) — Defence pensions reform
Ministry: Ministry of Defence
Objective: Ensure uniform pension for military personnel retiring at same rank and length of service, irrespective of retirement date.
Key features: Periodic pension equalization, arrears settlement, administrative framework.
Beneficiaries: Defence pensioners.
UPSC relevance: Pension policy, defence personnel welfare, fiscal implications.
91. Pradhan Mantri Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana (Saubhagya) — Household electrification emphasis (already #47)
Ministry: Ministry of Power
Objective: Achieve universal household electrification.
Key features: Free electricity connections, last-mile connectivity, data-driven identification.
Beneficiaries: Unelectrified households.
UPSC relevance: Universal services, SDG-7, rural infrastructure.
92. National Policy for Skill Development & Entrepreneurship-related Missions — including support for MSME clusters
Ministry: Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship / MSME
Objective: Strengthen skilling ecosystem and entrepreneurial culture with cluster development.
Key features: Cluster-level capacity building, credit linkages, incubation, training institutes.
Beneficiaries: Youth, MSMEs, artisans.
UPSC relevance: Entrepreneurship policy, employment generation, MSME strengthening.
93. National Social Assistance Programme – Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme etc. (NSAP) — already #22 with components emphasis
Ministry: Ministry of Rural Development / Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment
Objective: Minimum social assistance to vulnerable elderly, widows, and disabled.
Key features: Central pensions, guideline-driven state supplementation, DBT routes.
Beneficiaries: Vulnerable elderly, widows, disabled below poverty thresholds.
UPSC relevance: Social safety nets, targeted welfare.
94. Pradhan Mantri Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi) — already #33 — emphasize digital payments & formalization
Ministry: Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs
Objective: Provide affordable micro-credit and incentivize digital payments for street vendors.
Key features: Collateral-free micro-loans, interest subsidies, cash-back incentives on digital transactions.
Beneficiaries: Street vendors, urban informal entrepreneurs.
UPSC relevance: Informal sector support, urban livelihoods, financial inclusion.
95. National Urban Health Mission (NUHM) — component of NHM focused on urban poor
Ministry: Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
Objective: Provide primary healthcare to urban poor via urban health centres and outreach.
Key features: Urban health centres, outreach services, linkages to secondary care, HMIS integration.
Beneficiaries: Urban poor, slum populations.
UPSC relevance: Urban health policy, health equity, service delivery models.
96. Pradhan Mantri Jan Shikshan Sansthan (PMJSS) / Adult Education & Skill Training
Ministry: Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship / Ministry of Education (adult ed linkages)
Objective: Provide vocational training and adult education to non-literate or neo-literate adults to improve livelihoods.
Key features: Short-term courses, community-level institutions, convergence with local stakeholders.
Beneficiaries: Adult learners, under-skilled adults.
UPSC relevance: Lifelong learning, skill inclusion, employability.
97. National SC/ST Hub (Ministry of MSME initiative)
Ministry: Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises
Objective: Promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST communities through market access, capacity building and credit support.
Key features: Business facilitation centres, market linkages, credit guidance, policy support.
Beneficiaries: SC/ST entrepreneurs and enterprises.
UPSC relevance: Inclusive growth, affirmative action in enterprise development.
98. Pradhan Mantri Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan (PMGDISHA) — already #72; note on target numbers and empowerment role
Ministry: Ministry of Electronics & IT
Objective: Digitally empower rural citizens to use digital services confidently.
Key features: Training modules, certification, focus on women and marginalized groups.
Beneficiaries: Rural populace, marginalized citizens.
UPSC relevance: Digital inclusion, access to e-governance.
99. National Policy on Skill Development (umbrella) — coordination & governance mechanisms
Ministry: Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship
Objective: Provide overarching framework to coordinate skilling across ministries and states.
Key features: Sector Skill Councils, NSDC, standard-setting, funding mechanisms.
Beneficiaries: Youth, industry seeking skilled workforce.
UPSC relevance: Policy coordination, human capital development.
100. Aspirational Districts Programme (Transformation of districts)
Ministry: Cabinet Secretariat (NITI Aayog support)
Objective: Rapid transformation of underdeveloped districts by focusing on health, education, agriculture, and infrastructure.
Key features: Composite index, district-level dashboards, convergence of central/state schemes, mentoring by districts that perform better.
Beneficiaries: Residents of aspirational districts, marginalized communities.
UPSC relevance: Development policy, district-level governance, monitoring & evaluation tools.