The Government of India has implemented a multitude of welfare initiatives aimed at enhancing the socio-economic status of its citizens. These Government Schemes encompass various sectors, including agriculture, health, education, and social welfare, targeting different segments of the population. This article provides a comprehensive overview of some prominent Government Schemes, highlighting their objectives, benefits, and eligibility criteria.
Government Schemes
The Government of India introduces various Government Schemes to improve socio-economic conditions, promote financial inclusion, boost infrastructure, empower vulnerable groups, and ensure sustainable development. These Government Schemes are designed to uplift farmers, women, the unemployed, the rural poor, artisans, and other disadvantaged communities. Whether it’s through financial assistance, health insurance, housing, or self-employment support, each Government Scheme is carefully tailored to meet a specific public need.
New Schemes Introduced in 2025 (Budget 2025–26)
This set of innovative initiatives unveiled in the 2025–26 budget focuses on enhancing rural prosperity, boosting agri‑productivity, strengthening social security, and supporting entrepreneurship through targeted funding and capacity-building.
New Schemes Introduced in 2025 (Budget 2025–26) |
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Scheme | Objective | Launch Date | Target Beneficiaries |
Prime Minister Dhan‑Dhaanya Krishi Yojana | Improve productivity, diversify crops, storage & irrigation | 1 Feb 2025 (Budget speech) | ~1.7 crore farmers in 100 Aspirational Districts |
Rural Prosperity & Resilience Programme | Multi‑sectoral rural development tackling underemployment | 1 Feb 2025 | Rural youth, farmers, landless families |
Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses | Achieve self‑reliance in pulses (Urad, Tur, Masoor) | 1 Feb 2025 | Pulse‑growing farmers |
Scheme for First‑time Entrepreneurs | Access to capital & capacity‑building for first‑time SC/ST & women | 1 Feb 2025 | ~5 lakh women, SC/ST entrepreneurs |
Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 | Nutritional support for children, mothers & adolescent girls | 1 Feb 2025 | ~8 crore children, 1 crore mothers, 20 lakh girls |
Bharatiya Bhasha Pustak Scheme | Digital Indian-language educational content for schools & colleges | 1 Feb 2025 | Students in schools & higher-ed |
Social Security for Gig Workers | Registration & health coverage for gig/platform workers | 1 Feb 2025 | ~1 crore gig workers registered on e‑Shram |
SWAMIH Fund 2 | Complete stressed housing projects for middle‑class buyers | 1 Feb 2025 | ~1 lakh middle‑income housing units (5 lakh families) |
Atal Tinkering Labs expansion | Promote innovation labs in schools | Budget 2025 | Students in Govt schools (~50,000 labs) |
Internship Opportunity Programme | Provide internships to 1 crore youth over five years | Budget 2025 | Young graduates in top 500 companies |
Jal Jeevan Mission extension | Extend piped water facility to all rural households by 2028 | Budget 2025 | ~15 crore rural households |
Kisan Credit Card enhancement | Increase working capital loan limits | Budget 2025 | ~7.7 crore farmers, fisherfolk, dairy farmers |
MSME Credit Guarantee & Support | Collateral-free credit and support for MSMEs & startups | Budget 2025 | MSMEs, micro‑enterprises |
Fund of Funds for Startups | Rs. 10,000 crore fund to support startups | Budget 2025 | DPIIT‑recognized startups |
Atmanirbhar Oil Seeds Abhiyan | Boost edible oilseed production & reduce imports | July 2024/25 | Oilseed-producing farmers |
National Manufacturing Mission | Enhance manufacturing capacities and future technologies | Budget 2025 | MSMEs, manufacturing sectors |
List of Important Government Schemes in India
This table highlights the launch year, key beneficiaries, main benefits, and includes a direct application link for each Government Scheme so that eligible individuals can easily access and apply for the benefits.
List of Important Government Schemes in India |
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Name of Government Scheme | Objective of Government Scheme | Launch Year | Target Beneficiaries |
PM-KISAN | Provide income support to small and marginal farmers | 2019 | Farmers owning up to 2 hectares of land |
PMAY-G | Provide pucca houses to rural homeless and poor households | 2016 | Rural poor and homeless |
PMJDY | Ensure financial inclusion through banking access | 2014 | Unbanked individuals |
PMUY | Provide clean cooking fuel to women in BPL households | 2016 | Women from BPL households |
PM-JAY | Offer health coverage up to ₹5 lakh to poor and vulnerable families | 2018 | Economically weaker families |
Stand-Up India Scheme | Promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women | 2016 | Women, SC/ST entrepreneurs |
PMGKAY | Provide free food grains during crisis like COVID-19 | 2020 | Priority ration card holders |
PM Vishwakarma Scheme | Support artisans and traditional craftspeople with training and finance | 2023 | Artisans and craftsmen |
Subhadra Yojana (State-Level) | Empower economically weaker women through financial assistance | 2024 | EWS women aged 21–60 |
PMGSY | Provide all-weather rural road connectivity | 2000 | Rural unconnected villages |
PMEGP | Promote micro-enterprises and employment through capital subsidies | 2008 | Entrepreneurs in rural and urban areas |
RSBY | Offer health insurance to BPL households | 2008 | BPL families |
myScheme Portal | Provide a unified platform to find eligible Government Schemes | 2022 | All Indian citizens |
Major Government Schemes of India
These schemes are key policy initiatives by the Government of India to promote social welfare, economic development, and inclusive growth. They target various sectors such as health, education, agriculture, employment, and rural-urban infrastructure.
Major Government Schemes of India |
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# | Scheme Name | Objective | Launch Date | Target Beneficiaries |
1 | Subhadra Yojana (Odisha) | Financial assistance of ₹50,000 to women aged 21–60 in EWS | 17 Sep 2024 | EWS women aged 21–60 (Odisha) |
2 | PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana | Provide 300 units/month free electricity via rooftop solar | 15 Feb 2024 | 1 crore households |
3 | National Quantum Mission | Advance quantum technologies | 19 Apr 2023 | Scientists, institutions, startups |
4 | PM Vishwakarma Yojana | Support artisans with toolkit, credit, training, marketing | 17 Sep 2023 | Traditional craftsmen & artisans |
5 | MyScheme Portal | Unified portal to find eligible government schemes | 12 Jul 2022 | All Indian citizens |
6 | Gati Shakti Yojana | Multi-modal connectivity infrastructure | 13 Oct 2021 | Transport & logistics sector |
7 | Mission Shakti | Women empowerment through protection & assistance | Mar 2021 | Women & girls across India |
8 | PM e-Vidya | Promote digital learning | May 2020 | School and college students |
9 | PMGKAY (Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana) | Provide free foodgrains during COVID-19 | 26 Mar 2020 | Priority Ration Card holders |
10 | SVANidhi Yojana | Provide credit to street vendors | Jun 2020 | Urban street vendors |
11 | Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan | Self-reliance across sectors post-COVID | 12 May 2020 | MSMEs, farmers, poor, migrants |
12 | Jal Jeevan Mission | Tap water connection to all rural households | 15 Aug 2019 | Rural households |
13 | PM-KISAN | Income support of ₹6,000/year to farmers | 24 Feb 2019 | Small and marginal farmers |
14 | Ayushman Bharat – PM-JAY | Health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh | 23 Sep 2018 | Economically weaker families |
15 | Poshan Abhiyan | Improve nutritional outcomes | 8 Mar 2018 | Pregnant women, lactating mothers, children |
16 | Gobardhan Yojana | Convert cattle dung to bio-gas | 2018 | Rural households with livestock |
17 | National Health Policy | Strengthen public healthcare system | 15 Mar 2017 | Indian citizens |
18 | PMAY-G (Gramin) | Provide pucca houses to rural poor | 20 Nov 2016 | Rural poor and homeless |
19 | UJALA Scheme | Promote LED bulb usage | 2016 | Urban and rural households |
20 | Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) | Provide free LPG to BPL families | 1 May 2016 | BPL women |
21 | Stand-Up India | Promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women | 5 Apr 2016 | SC/ST & women entrepreneurs |
22 | Start-Up India | Boost innovation and startups | 16 Jan 2016 | Startups and entrepreneurs |
23 | Skill India Mission | Provide skill training to youth | 15 Jul 2015 | Youth aged 15–35 |
24 | Digital India | Transform India into digitally empowered society | 1 Jul 2015 | All Indian citizens |
25 | AMRUT | Improve urban infrastructure | 25 Jun 2015 | Urban population |
26 | Smart Cities Mission | Develop 100 smart cities with core infrastructure | 25 Jun 2015 | Urban citizens |
27 | Swachh Bharat Mission | Eliminate open defecation and improve sanitation | 2 Oct 2014 | All Indian citizens |
28 | PMJDY (Jan Dhan Yojana) | Financial inclusion via bank accounts | 28 Aug 2014 | Unbanked individuals |
29 | Make in India | Promote manufacturing and FDI | 25 Sep 2014 | Entrepreneurs, foreign investors |
30 | Beti Bachao Beti Padhao | Prevent female foeticide, promote girl education | 22 Jan 2015 | Girl children & families |
31 | Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana | Rural youth employment training | 25 Sep 2014 | Rural unemployed youth |
32 | Shyama Prasad Mukherji Rurban Mission | Develop urban-style infrastructure in rural clusters | 21 Feb 2016 | Rural population |
33 | National Electric Mobility Mission | Promote electric vehicles | 2013 (revised 2015) | EV industry & citizens |
34 | PMEGP (Employment Generation Prog.) | Provide financial assistance to set up micro-enterprises | 15 Aug 2008 | Entrepreneurs in rural/urban areas |
35 | RSBY (Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana) | Health insurance to BPL families | 1 Apr 2008 | BPL families |
36 | NREGA (MGNREGA) | Guarantee 100 days of wage employment annually | 2 Feb 2006 | Rural households |
37 | ICDS | Supplementary nutrition and child services | 1975 (expanded later) | Children <6, pregnant & lactating women |
38 | Mid-Day Meal Scheme | Provide free lunch to school children | 1995 (universalized 2001) | School children |
39 | PMGSY (Gramin Sadak Yojana) | All-weather road connectivity in rural areas | 25 Dec 2000 | Rural unconnected habitations |
40 | National Food Security Act | Legal entitlement to food at subsidized prices | 5 Jul 2013 | BPL and priority households |
41 | National Solar Mission | Promote solar power generation | 11 Jan 2010 | Renewable sector |
42 | Indira Awas Yojana (merged into PMAY-G) | Provide houses to BPL rural families | 1985 | BPL families |
43 | Antyodaya Anna Yojana | Subsidized food grains to poorest families | 25 Dec 2000 | Poorest of the poor |
44 | Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana | Crop insurance with low premiums | 13 Jan 2016 | Farmers |
45 | Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojana | Improve irrigation infrastructure | 1 Jul 2015 | Farmers |
46 | Soil Health Card Scheme | Provide soil quality reports to improve productivity | 19 Feb 2015 | Farmers |
47 | National AYUSH Mission | Promote Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, Homeopathy | 2014 | AYUSH practitioners and public |
48 | National Urban Livelihood Mission | Reduce urban poverty through skill training | 2013 | Urban poor |
49 | Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan | Fund state higher educational institutions | 2013 | State universities |
50 | Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban | Housing for all in urban areas by 2022 | 25 Jun 2015 | Urban poor |
51 | Nirbhaya Fund Scheme | Support initiatives for women’s safety | 2013 | Women |
52 | National Skill Development Mission | Consolidate all skill development efforts | 15 Jul 2015 | Youth, workforce |
53 | Saubhagya Yojana | Electrification of all willing households | 25 Sep 2017 | Un-electrified households |
54 | Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay Shramev Jayate Yojana | Labour reform package | 16 Oct 2014 | Workers and employers |
55 | Deen Dayal Upadhyay Gram Jyoti Yojana | Improve rural power infrastructure | 25 Jul 2015 | Rural areas |
56 | Rashtriya Gokul Mission | Improve indigenous cattle breeds | Dec 2014 | Dairy farmers |
57 | PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana | Strengthen health infra post-COVID | 1 Feb 2021 | Health sector, citizens |
58 | Van Dhan Yojana | Tribal entrepreneurship through value addition | 14 Apr 2018 | Tribal communities |
59 | National Apprenticeship Promotion Scheme | Promote apprenticeships via incentives | 19 Aug 2016 | Industries, youth |
60 | SPARSH (Pensioners Portal) | Online pension disbursal system | Sep 2021 | Defence pensioners |
Also Read: Separation of Power
Top 20 Government Schemes in India
These flagship schemes launched by the Indian government aim to address key sectors like health, education, agriculture, women empowerment, and financial inclusion. They play a crucial role in driving inclusive growth, improving livelihoods, and ensuring welfare for all sections of society.
Top 20 Government Schemes in India |
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# | Scheme Name | Short Details |
1 | PM-KISAN | Launched in 2019, it provides ₹6,000 per year in 3 installments to small & marginal farmers owning up to 2 hectares. |
2 | Ayushman Bharat – PM-JAY | Started in 2018, offers ₹5 lakh health insurance per family annually for poor and vulnerable citizens. |
3 | PM Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) | Launched in 2016, provides free LPG connections to women from BPL households to ensure clean cooking fuel. |
4 | PM Awas Yojana (PMAY-G & Urban) | Aims to provide pucca houses to rural and urban poor by 2022. Includes PMAY-G (2016) and PMAY-U (2015). |
5 | Swachh Bharat Mission | Launched in 2014, aims to eliminate open defecation, build toilets, and improve sanitation across India. |
6 | PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) | Introduced in 2014, it ensures banking access to all, especially the unbanked poor, with zero balance accounts. |
7 | Digital India Mission | Started in 2015, this mission aims to digitally empower citizens and improve e-governance infrastructure. |
8 | Make in India | Launched in 2014 to promote manufacturing and attract FDI, creating jobs across sectors. |
9 | Stand-Up India Scheme | Started in 2016, provides bank loans between ₹10 lakh – ₹1 crore to SC/ST and women entrepreneurs. |
10 | Skill India Mission | Initiated in 2015, aims to train over 40 crore youth in industry-relevant skills by 2022. |
11 | Beti Bachao Beti Padhao | Launched in 2015, focuses on gender equality, preventing female foeticide, and educating girl children. |
12 | Atal Pension Yojana (APY) | Introduced in 2015, offers fixed pension (₹1,000–₹5,000) to unorganized sector workers after 60 years of age. |
13 | PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana | Launched in 2020 during COVID-19, provides free food grains to 80 crore people under the National Food Act. |
14 | Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana | Started in 2000, aims to provide all-weather road connectivity to unconnected rural villages. |
15 | Startup India | Launched in 2016, promotes innovation and entrepreneurship with tax benefits and easier regulations. |
16 | PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) | Introduced in 2016, provides crop insurance to farmers with low premium rates and full coverage of losses. |
17 | Jal Jeevan Mission | Launched in 2019, aims to provide tap water connections to all rural households by 2024. |
18 | Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana | A savings scheme for girl children, offering high interest rate and tax benefits to parents/guardians. |
19 | e-SHRAM Portal | Launched in 2021, it’s a national database of unorganized workers to ensure social security & job support. |
20 | National Health Mission (NHM) | Started in 2005, focuses on universal healthcare access in rural and urban areas, especially maternal and child care. |
Government Schemes: Apply Links
Government Schemes are initiatives by the Indian government to support and empower various sections of society. These schemes focus on areas like agriculture, health, education, and social welfare. They aim to provide financial aid, improve infrastructure, and promote inclusive growth. Through these Government Schemes, the government strives to enhance the quality of life for all citizens.
Government Schemes: Apply Links |
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Name of Government Scheme | Launch Year | Main Beneficiaries | Key Benefits | Apply Link |
PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi) | 2019 | Small and marginal farmers | ₹6,000 annually in 3 DBT installments | https://pmkisan.gov.in |
PMAY-G (Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin) | 2016 | Rural homeless households | Up to ₹1.2 lakh for pucca house | https://pmayg.nic.in |
PMJDY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana) | 2014 | Unbanked individuals | Zero-balance accounts, debit card, insurance | https://pmjdy.gov.in |
PMUY (Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana) | 2016 | BPL women households | Free LPG connections with refills | https://www.pmuy.gov.in |
PM-JAY (Ayushman Bharat – Jan Arogya Yojana) | 2018 | Poor and vulnerable families | ₹5 lakh health insurance per family per year | https://pmjay.gov.in |
Stand-Up India Scheme | 2016 | SC/ST and women entrepreneurs | ₹10 lakh – ₹1 crore for new businesses | https://www.standupmitra.in |
PMGKAY (Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana) | 2020 | Poor ration card holders | 5 kg free foodgrains per person per month | https://nfsa.gov.in |
PM Vishwakarma Scheme | 2023 | Traditional artisans and craftspeople | Financial help, training, toolkits | https://pmvishwakarma.gov.in |
Subhadra Yojana (State-level scheme) | 2024 | Women from EWS (age 21–60) | ₹50,000 in 5 years + digital incentives | Varies by State – Visit State Gov Portal |
PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana) | 2000 | Rural unconnected habitations | All-weather road infrastructure | https://pmgsy.nic.in |
PMEGP (PM’s Employment Generation Programme) | 2008 | Aspiring entrepreneurs | Subsidy for new micro-enterprises | https://www.kviconline.gov.in/pmegp |
RSBY (Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana) | 2008 | BPL families | ₹30,000/year health coverage | https://www.rsby.gov.in |
myScheme Portal (Unified scheme finder) | 2022 | All citizens | Personalized Government Scheme recommendations | https://myscheme.gov.in |
FAQs on Government Schemes
What are Government Schemes and why are they important?
Government Schemes are welfare initiatives introduced by the central or state governments to provide financial, social, and infrastructure-related support to citizens. They are crucial for promoting inclusive growth and addressing inequality.
How can I find which Government Schemes I’m eligible for?
You can visit the myScheme portal, enter basic details, and it will recommend suitable Government Schemes for you.
Are all Government Schemes applicable across India?
No, some Government Schemes are central and apply nationwide, while others are state-specific like Subhadra Yojana.
Is there any cost to apply for Government Schemes?
No, most official applications for Government Schemes are free of cost. Beware of fraudulent websites or agents.
What documents are required to apply for Government Schemes?
Common documents include Aadhaar card, ration card, income certificate, bank account details, and category certificate (if applicable).
Can I apply for multiple Government Schemes at once?
Yes, you can apply for multiple Government Schemes if you meet the eligibility criteria for each.
How do I track the status of my Government Scheme application?
Most Government Schemes have portals with an “Application Status” feature where you can enter your registration number to track progress.