Government Schemes
Government Schemes & Programmes
Major central government schemes — PM-KISAN, MGNREGA, Ayushman Bharat, Mudra, Ujjwala, Start-Up India, and more for competitive exams.
Key Dates
National Rural Employment Guarantee Act passed — implemented as NREGA from February 2006 in 200 districts
MGNREGA extended nationwide (all 648 districts); renamed Mahatma Gandhi NREGA in 2009
Jan Dhan Yojana (August 28 — Guinness record for most accounts in one week), Make in India, Swachh Bharat Mission launched
PM Mudra Yojana, Start-Up India initiative, PMJJBY, PMSBY, APY launched; Gold Monetisation Scheme
PM Ujjwala Yojana — free LPG connections to BPL women; Stand-Up India; Startup India Action Plan; PM Fasal Bima Yojana
Ayushman Bharat — PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) launched; Saubhagya (free electricity connections)
PM-KISAN announced in Interim Budget; Jal Jeevan Mission launched; PMEGP restructured
PM SVANidhi (street vendors), PM CARES Fund, Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan; Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan
PM Gati Shakti NMP launched; Swachh Bharat 2.0; AMRUT 2.0; Jal Jeevan Mission — Urban
PM Vishwakarma (artisans/craftspersons); PM JANMAN (vulnerable tribal groups); PM Surya Ghar (rooftop solar)
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana — free electricity up to 300 units through rooftop solar for 1 crore households
Agnipath scheme for defence recruitment; PM-DevINE for Northeast; SMILE for marginalised communities
Smart Cities Mission, AMRUT, PM Awas Yojana launched — urban transformation trilogy
Employment & Rural Development — MGNREGA
MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act, 2005, implemented 2006): World's largest employment guarantee programme — guarantees 100 days of unskilled manual wage employment per rural household per year. Legal entitlement, not a discretionary scheme — right to work is justiciable. Key features: Demand-driven — work must be provided within 15 days of application, else unemployment allowance (1/4th of wage rate for first 30 days, 1/2 thereafter). 60:40 wage-material ratio — at least 60% of expenditure must be on wages (ensures labour-intensive works). Gram Sabha approves work plans — list of permissible works includes: water conservation (check dams, ponds, percolation tanks), drought-proofing, irrigation canals, flood control, rural connectivity, land development, play fields. Social audit mandatory by Gram Sabha — one of the most robust transparency mechanisms in Indian governance. At least 1/3rd beneficiaries must be women (actual: ~55% women participation). Wages linked to CPI-AL (Consumer Price Index for Agricultural Labourers) — vary by state (Rs 281 in Bihar to Rs 374 in Haryana, FY24). Performance (FY24): 5.9 crore households employed. 1.06 crore person-days generated. Budget: Rs 86,000 crore. Average days per household: ~48 days (well below 100 — reflects demand-supply gap and administrative constraints). 3.5 crore assets created/completed. Impact: Reduced rural distress migration, increased rural wages (15-25% real wage increase attributable to MGNREGA), created productive assets (water conservation has improved groundwater levels in many areas), empowered women (financial autonomy through bank account wages). Criticisms: (1) Wage payment delays — Act mandates 15 days, average is 25-30 days. (2) Quality of assets — some works are of poor quality due to corruption and poor planning. (3) Job cards manipulation — duplicate/ghost job cards. (4) Aadhaar-based payment issues — biometric failures exclude genuine beneficiaries. (5) Fiscal burden — "dead-weight loss" argument that workers would have been employed anyway. Counter: MGNREGA acts as a "rural safety net" and fiscal stimulus during downturns (spending surged to Rs 1.11 lakh crore in COVID year FY21).
Other Rural Development & Employment Schemes
PM Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyan (2020): Launched during COVID for returning migrant workers — 25 schemes converged for 116 districts in 6 states (Bihar, UP, MP, Rajasthan, Jharkhand, Odisha). Rs 50,000 crore allocated. Created livelihood opportunities through MGNREGA, PMGSY roads, rural housing, well construction, animal sheds. PMEGP (PM Employment Generation Programme): Credit-linked subsidy for setting up micro-enterprises in rural and urban areas. Managed by KVIC (Khadi and Village Industries Commission). Subsidy: 15-35% of project cost (higher for SC/ST/women/NER). Maximum project cost: Rs 50 lakh (manufacturing), Rs 20 lakh (services). Over 8 lakh micro-enterprises established since inception. DAY-NRLM (Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana — National Rural Livelihoods Mission): Self-employment through SHGs (Self Help Groups). Target: Mobilise 9-10 crore rural households into SHGs by 2025. Progress: 9.1 crore women organised into 84 lakh SHGs. SHG bank linkage: Rs 2 lakh crore annual credit. Community institutions: SHGs → Village Organisations (VOs) → Cluster Level Federations (CLFs). NRLM has created the world's largest women's community-based organisation network. SVAMITVA (Survey of Villages and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas): Drone-based mapping of rural residential properties. Property cards ("Record of Rights") given to rural homeowners — enables them to use property as collateral for bank loans. 3.1 crore property cards distributed (as of 2024). PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana): All-weather rural road connectivity. Phase I: Connect habitations with 500+ population (250+ in hill/tribal areas). Phase II: Upgrade existing roads. Phase III: 1.25 lakh km of routes through consolidation. 7.36 lakh km roads constructed since 2000. 97.8% eligible habitations connected. Budget: Rs 19,000 crore (FY25). PM Awas Yojana — Gramin (PMAY-G): Pucca house with basic amenities. Rs 1.20 lakh (plains), Rs 1.30 lakh (hilly/difficult areas). Convergence with SBM (toilet), MGNREGA (unskilled labour), PMAY (housing materials). Target: 2.95 crore houses. 2.67 crore completed (2024). PM Awas Yojana 2.0 (2024-29): Additional 3 crore houses (1 crore urban, 2 crore rural). Total outlay: Rs 10 lakh crore.
Financial Inclusion & Credit Schemes
PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY, August 28, 2014): The world's largest financial inclusion programme. Zero-balance bank accounts with RuPay debit card, Rs 2 lakh accident insurance (raised from Rs 1 lakh), Rs 30,000 life cover. Overdraft facility up to Rs 10,000 (without collateral). Over 53 crore accounts opened (2024). Total deposits: Rs 2.26 lakh crore. 67% accounts in rural/semi-urban areas. 56% accounts held by women. PMJDY is the foundation of the JAM (Jan Dhan-Aadhaar-Mobile) trinity — enabling DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer) of subsidies and welfare payments. PM Mudra Yojana (PMMY, 2015): Collateral-free loans to micro/small enterprises through banks, NBFCs, and MFIs. Three categories: Shishu (up to Rs 50,000) — for start-ups/early stage. 60% of loans. Kishore (Rs 50,001 to Rs 5 lakh) — for growing enterprises. 32%. Tarun (Rs 5,00,001 to Rs 10 lakh) — for established enterprises. 8%. Over Rs 27 lakh crore disbursed cumulatively to 47 crore loan accounts. 68% to women borrowers. NPA rate: ~3% (manageable for an unsecured lending programme). MUDRA Ltd (Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency) is a subsidiary of SIDBI. Stand-Up India (2016): Loans of Rs 10 lakh to Rs 1 crore for SC/ST and women entrepreneurs for greenfield enterprises. At least one SC/ST borrower and one woman borrower per bank branch (1.25 lakh bank branches = potential for 2.5 lakh loans). Composite loan (term + working capital). 1.87 lakh loans sanctioned worth Rs 42,000 crore (cumulative by 2024). Credit Guarantee Schemes: CGTMSE (Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises): Government guarantees collateral-free loans up to Rs 5 crore (raised from Rs 2 crore in 2023). Banks can lend to MSMEs without collateral — guarantee covers up to 85% of default. Rs 7.5 lakh crore guaranteed cumulative. PM Vishwakarma (2023): Support for artisans and traditional craftspersons in 18 trades (carpentry, blacksmithing, goldsmithing, pottery, weaving, tailoring, etc.). Collateral-free loans: Rs 1 lakh (first tranche), Rs 2 lakh (second). Skill training, modern tools, digital payments onboarding, market linkage. Target: 30 lakh families in 5 years. Budget: Rs 13,000 crore.
Health & Nutrition Schemes
Ayushman Bharat: Two pillars: (1) Health & Wellness Centres (AB-HWCs): 1.5 lakh sub-centres and PHCs upgraded for comprehensive primary healthcare — including screening for NCDs (hypertension, diabetes, cancer), teleconsultation (e-Sanjeevani — 30+ crore teleconsultations), free essential drugs and diagnostics, wellness promotion. Over 1.65 lakh HWCs operational (2024). (2) PM-JAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, September 2018): Rs 5 lakh per family per year health insurance for secondary and tertiary care hospitalisation. Covers ~55 crore beneficiaries (10.74 crore families identified from SECC 2011). Cashless and paperless at 30,000+ empanelled hospitals (60% private, 40% public). 1,949 treatment packages covering surgery, medical, and daycare procedures. Over 7 crore hospital treatments provided under PM-JAY (cumulative by 2024). Expenditure: Rs 70,000+ crore. PM-JAY is the world's largest government-funded health insurance programme. Key limitation: Does not cover outpatient care (OPD) — which constitutes 60-70% of out-of-pocket health expenditure. Expansion to 70+ years (all senior citizens regardless of income) announced in Budget 2024-25. PM POSHAN (Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman, renamed from Mid-Day Meal): Cooked meals in government and government-aided schools. 11.8 crore children in 11.2 lakh schools. Caloric norms: 450 kcal for primary (Classes 1-5), 700 kcal for upper primary (Classes 6-8). Supplementary nutrition, micro-nutrient fortification. Budget: Rs 12,467 crore (FY25). POSHAN Abhiyan (National Nutrition Mission, 2018): Targets: Reduce stunting and underweight by 2% per year, anaemia by 3% per year (among children, adolescent girls, pregnant women). Technology-driven — ICDS-CAS (Common Application Software) app for real-time monitoring of 14 lakh Anganwadi workers. Jan Andolan — people's movement for nutrition awareness. POSHAN maah (September), POSHAN pakhwada. Progress: Stunting reduced from 38.4% (NFHS-4, 2015-16) to 35.5% (NFHS-5, 2019-21). Mission Indradhanush (2014): Immunisation coverage acceleration. Target: 90% full immunisation. Focus on unreached children. Intensified Mission Indradhanush (IMI) reaches remote and underserved areas.
Energy, Water & Sanitation Schemes
PM Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY, 2016): Free LPG connections to women from BPL households. Phase 1: 5 crore connections (completed 2019). Phase 2: 1 crore more. Total: 10.27 crore connections (2024). Reduced indoor air pollution from solid fuels (wood, dung, coal) — associated with 10 lakh premature deaths annually. Challenge: Many Ujjwala beneficiaries do not regularly refill LPG cylinders due to cost (Rs 900-1000 per refill) — reversion to biomass cooking. Government provides targeted subsidy of Rs 300/cylinder for up to 12 cylinders/year. PAHAL (DBTL — Direct Benefit Transfer for LPG): LPG subsidy deposited directly in bank accounts. 30 crore beneficiaries. Give-It-Up: 1.3 crore consumers voluntarily surrendered LPG subsidy. Saubhagya (PM Sahaj Bijli Har Ghar Yojana, 2017): Free electricity connections to all willing households. 2.86 crore connections provided. 100% village electrification achieved (2018 — village electrified = 10% households connected), household electrification improved from 82% to ~99%. PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana (2024): Free electricity up to 300 units/month through rooftop solar. Subsidy for solar panel installation: Rs 30,000 for 1 kW, Rs 60,000 for 2 kW, Rs 78,000 for 3 kW+. Target: 1 crore households. Budget: Rs 75,021 crore. Surplus power can be sold to DISCOM. Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM, 2019): Piped water supply (55 litres per capita per day — FHTC) to every rural household. Coverage improved from 3.23 crore (17% in 2019) to 15.1 crore (77% in 2024). Target: 100% by 2024 (extended). Budget: Rs 3.60 lakh crore. Uses sensor-based IoT monitoring for water quality. Model: Paani Samiti (Village Water and Sanitation Committee) manages local water supply — community ownership ensures sustainability. Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM, 2014): Phase 1 (2014-19): Open Defecation Free (ODF) India — 11.73 crore toilets constructed. India declared ODF on October 2, 2019 (Gandhi's 150th birth anniversary). Phase 2 (2020-25): ODF Plus — sustainability, solid/liquid waste management, biodegradable waste processing, faecal sludge management. GOBARDHAN (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan): Bio-CNG plants from cattle dung and agricultural waste. 600+ plants sanctioned.
Education, Skill Development & Social Welfare
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Replaced 34-year-old National Policy on Education (1986). Key changes: 5+3+3+4 structure replacing 10+2 (Foundational: ages 3-8, Preparatory: 8-11, Middle: 11-14, Secondary: 14-18). Mother tongue/regional language instruction till Grade 5. Multidisciplinary education — no rigid arts/science/commerce streams. Board exams for Grades 3, 5, and 8 (formative), Grades 10 and 12 (summative). Academic Bank of Credits — students can accumulate credits across institutions. National Research Foundation (NRF): Rs 50,000 crore over 5 years for research. Target: GER (Gross Enrolment Ratio) in higher education from 27% to 50% by 2035. PM SHRI Schools (PM Schools for Rising India): 14,500 schools as model NEP-implementing schools — modern infrastructure, digital pedagogy, green campus. Budget: Rs 27,360 crore. Samagra Shiksha: Integrated scheme for school education (merged SSA, RMSA, Teacher Education). Budget: Rs 22,000 crore (FY25). Universal enrolment, retention, and quality improvement. Skill India Mission: PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): Short-term skill certification. 1.37 crore youth trained and certified. Managed by NSDC (National Skill Development Corporation). Sectors: IT, healthcare, construction, automotive, retail, etc. Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) for experienced workers. PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (2023): Industry-aligned courses, on-the-job training, international skilling. Social Insurance — PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY): Life insurance — Rs 2 lakh cover. Annual premium: Rs 436. Age: 18-50. Auto-debit from Jan Dhan/savings account. 16.4 crore active subscribers. PM Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY): Accidental death/disability — Rs 2 lakh cover. Annual premium: Rs 20. 35 crore active subscribers. Atal Pension Yojana (APY): Guaranteed monthly pension of Rs 1,000-5,000 after age 60. For unorganised sector workers (18-40 years). 5.5 crore subscribers. Government co-contributes 50% for eligible subscribers (who joined before December 2015).
Agriculture & Farmer Welfare Schemes
PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi, 2019): Income support of Rs 6,000 per year to all farmer families (irrespective of landholding). Three instalments of Rs 2,000 each. DBT to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. Over 11.8 crore farmers covered. Total disbursement: Rs 3.24 lakh crore (cumulative by 2024). Exclusion: Income tax payees, constitutional post holders, government employees, pensioners (above Rs 10,000/month). PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY, 2016): Crop insurance — premium rates: 2% for kharif, 1.5% for rabi, 5% for commercial/horticultural crops. Difference between actual premium and farmer's share borne by Centre and State equally. Uses satellite imagery, drone technology, and weather data for crop loss assessment. Covered 4 crore farmers (FY24). Claims paid: Rs 1.55 lakh crore cumulative (against premium collected of Rs 29,000 crore from farmers — subsidy-intensive). Voluntary for farmers from 2020 (earlier mandatory for loanee farmers). PM Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY): "Har Khet Ko Paani" — irrigation expansion. "Per Drop More Crop" — micro-irrigation (drip and sprinkler). 67 lakh hectares under micro-irrigation. 99 priority irrigation projects under AIBP (Accelerated Irrigation Benefits Programme). Soil Health Card Scheme: Soil testing and nutrient recommendations for 22 crore soil samples. Enables balanced fertiliser use — reducing over-reliance on urea. e-NAM (National Agriculture Market, 2016): Electronic trading platform connecting 1,389 mandis across 23 states. Enables farmers to sell produce to buyers across India at transparent prices. Trade value: Rs 3.5 lakh crore. Kisan Credit Card (KCC): Credit card for farmers providing short-term crop loans at 7% interest (4% effective with Interest Subvention Scheme for timely repayment). 7.4 crore active KCCs with Rs 9 lakh crore credit limit. Extended to fishermen and animal husbandry farmers in 2020.
Urban Development & Infrastructure Schemes
Smart Cities Mission (2015): 100 cities selected for smart urban development. Focus: Area-Based Development (ABD — redevelopment of specific zones, 300-500 hectares) + Pan-City Solutions (IT-based solutions for traffic, waste, water, etc.). Total investment: Rs 2 lakh crore+ (Centre + State + ULB + convergence). ICCC (Integrated Command and Control Centre): 100 cities have operational ICCCs for real-time monitoring of municipal services, traffic, and emergencies — proved critical during COVID-19 for surveillance and coordination. AMRUT (Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation): Water supply, sewerage, urban transport, and green spaces in 500 cities. AMRUT 2.0 (2021): Coverage for all 4,700+ ULBs. Target: 2.68 crore water tap connections, 2.64 crore sewer connections. Total investment: Rs 2.87 lakh crore. PM Awas Yojana — Urban (PMAY-U): Affordable housing — 4 verticals: In-situ slum redevelopment, Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS — interest subsidy on home loans), Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP — builder incentive), Beneficiary-Led Construction (BLC). 1.19 crore houses sanctioned, 1.05 crore completed (2024). CLSS: 2.5% interest subsidy for EWS/LIG (loan up to Rs 6 lakh), 1.5% for MIG-I (Rs 9 lakh), 1% for MIG-II (Rs 12 lakh). Bharatmala Pariyojana: 83,677 km of national highways development. Phase 1: 34,800 km at Rs 5.35 lakh crore. Includes economic corridors, inter-corridors, feeder routes, NER connectivity. PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (2021): GIS-based multimodal infrastructure planning platform. Integrates 16 ministries' infrastructure projects on a single digital platform. Ensures synchronised planning — road, rail, port, waterway, airport, and utility infrastructure aligned. Sagarmala Programme: Port-led development — port modernisation (Rs 1 lakh crore), port connectivity (Rs 2 lakh crore), port-linked industrialisation (Rs 3 lakh crore), coastal community development (Rs 2 lakh crore). Total: Rs 8 lakh crore investment. Dedicated Freight Corridors: Eastern DFC (1,337 km, Ludhiana-Dankuni) and Western DFC (1,504 km, JNPT-Dadri). Will reduce freight transit time by 50% and logistics cost by 30%.
Technology, Digital & Entrepreneurship Schemes
Digital India (2015): Umbrella programme for digital transformation. Three pillars: Digital infrastructure (BharatNet — optical fibre to all 6.5 lakh villages, 5G rollout), Digital services (DigiLocker — 31 crore users, UMANG app — 1,700+ services, e-Sign, e-Hospital), Digital literacy (PM Gramin Digital Saksharta Abhiyan — PMGDISHA). BharatNet: Optical fibre connectivity to gram panchayats. 6.89 lakh GPs connected (out of 6.49 lakh target). Budget: Rs 61,109 crore. Enables digital services in rural India — telemedicine, e-governance, e-commerce. Start-Up India (2016): Self-certification for compliance (9 labour and 3 environmental laws). 3-year income tax exemption for eligible startups (Section 80-IAC — within first 10 years of incorporation). Fund of Funds managed by SIDBI: Rs 10,000 crore corpus. Rs 6,500 crore committed to 117 Alternative Investment Funds (AIFs). Angel tax exemption for registered startups (Section 56(2)(viib) — fully abolished for all in Budget 2024-25). Patent application fast-track: 80% fee rebate for startups. India: 1.4+ lakh recognised startups, 110+ unicorns ($1 billion+ valuation), 3rd largest startup ecosystem globally. Atal Innovation Mission (AIM): Promotes innovation culture. Atal Tinkering Labs (ATLs): 10,000+ labs in schools for hands-on innovation experience. Atal Incubation Centres (AICs): 68 incubators supporting startups. Atal Community Innovation Centres (ACICs): In underserved areas. GeM (Government e-Marketplace, 2016): Online procurement platform for government buyers. Over 75 lakh products from 67 lakh sellers. Transaction value: Rs 4+ lakh crore cumulative. Transparency and competition in public procurement. 57% of orders from MSMEs. UPI (Unified Payments Interface): Not a government scheme per se, but a public digital infrastructure. NPCI-operated. 14+ billion monthly transactions (2024), $250+ billion monthly value. Zero MDR (Merchant Discount Rate) for small merchants. India Stack — UPI, Aadhaar, DigiLocker, Account Aggregator — is being exported as "Digital Public Infrastructure" model to other countries (Singapore's PayNow-UPI linkage, India-UAE UPI link).
Tribal, SC/ST & Marginalised Community Schemes
PM JANMAN (Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan, 2023): For 75 Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) — most marginalised communities. 11 interventions: Safe housing (PM Awas), clean water (Jal Jeevan), healthcare (mobile medical units), nutrition (Anganwadi), education (Eklavya schools), connectivity (roads, telecom), livelihood (skilling, SHGs), Aadhaar saturation, PM-JAY coverage, PM KISAN linkage. Budget: Rs 24,104 crore. Coverage: 22,544 villages in 18 states. Eklavya Model Residential Schools (EMRS): Quality residential schools for tribal students in ST-majority areas. 740 schools sanctioned (689 blocks with 50%+ ST population). Each school: 480 student capacity. Budget: Rs 38,800 crore. Post Matric Scholarship (PMS) for SC Students: Financial support for SC students pursuing post-matric education. Budget: Rs 35,534 crore (2020-21 to 2025-26). 4 crore students benefit annually. PM-DAKSH (PM Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi Yojana): Skill development for SC, OBC, EBC, DNTs (Denotified Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribes), Safai Karamcharis. Free training in NSQF-aligned courses. SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise, 2022): Comprehensive rehabilitation for transgender persons and beggars. Shelter homes, skill training, education support, comprehensive transgender welfare. National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction (NAPDDR): De-addiction centres, community outreach, awareness campaigns. PM-UDAY (PM Unnati Aur Disha for Artisans and Youth, alternative name for Vishwakarma in some contexts): Support traditional artisans. Viksit Bharat Sankalp Yatra (VBSY, 2023-24): Nationwide outreach programme — IEC (Information, Education, Communication) vans visiting every gram panchayat to ensure saturation of flagship schemes. 23.4 crore beneficiaries enrolled in various schemes during VBSY. Concept: "Last mile delivery" of government schemes to the most marginalised.
Defence & Security Schemes
Agnipath Scheme (2022): Recruitment scheme for Armed Forces. Agniveers serve 4-year term (6 months training + 3.5 years service). 25% retained for permanent service after 4 years. Age: 17.5-21 years. Compensation: Rs 4.76 lakh/month by 4th year + Seva Nidhi (Rs 11.71 lakh lump sum on exit — tax-free). Seva Nidhi includes accumulated monthly contribution (30% of pay) + government matching contribution + interest. For those not retained: Skill certificates, preference in CAPFs, higher education financial support. Rationale: Young, fit force, reduced pension burden (currently 25%+ of defence budget goes to pensions), modernisation savings. Controversy: Critics argue insufficient training for combat-ready soldiers, uncertainty after 4 years, loss of experienced manpower. Vibrant Villages Programme (2023): Development of border villages (India-China border — Arunachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Himachal Pradesh, Sikkim, Ladakh). Prevents depopulation of border areas (which creates security vulnerability). Infrastructure: Roads, housing, telecom, renewable energy, tourism promotion, livelihood support. Budget: Rs 4,800 crore. BRO (Border Roads Organisation): Constructed strategic roads, bridges, and tunnels in border areas. Key projects: Atal Tunnel (Rohtang — world's longest highway tunnel above 10,000 feet), Sela Tunnel (Arunachal Pradesh), Zojila Tunnel (J&K). iDEX (Innovations for Defence Excellence): Defence innovation hub — encourages startups and MSMEs to develop defence technology. Defence India Startup Challenge (DISC) — 11 editions. 400+ startups engaged. Budget: Rs 500 crore. Positive Indigenisation List: 411 defence items that cannot be imported — must be manufactured in India. Includes engines, missiles, helicopters, ammunition, surveillance systems. Defence acquisition budget earmarked: 75% for domestic procurement.
Green India & Sustainability Schemes
National Green Hydrogen Mission (2023): India's most ambitious green energy programme. Target: 5 MMTPA (Million Metric Tonnes Per Annum) green hydrogen production by 2030. Outlay: Rs 19,744 crore. Strategic Interventions for Green Hydrogen Transition (SIGHT) programme: Incentives for electrolyser manufacturing ($18,000/tonne for domestic electrolysers) and green hydrogen production ($600/tonne). India aims to be a global green hydrogen hub — leveraging solar energy advantage (300+ sunshine days). Key projects: GAIL green hydrogen blending in CGD (City Gas Distribution), NTPC green hydrogen fuelling station, Indian Oil green hydrogen refinery. PM Kusum (Kisan Urja Suraksha evam Utthaan Mahabhiyan): Solar energy for agriculture. Component A: 10 GW decentralised solar plants on barren/fallow agricultural land — farmer can sell power to DISCOM. Component B: 20 lakh standalone solar pumps (replacing diesel pumps). Component C: 15 lakh grid-connected solar pumps (solarisation of existing pumps). Total capacity: 34 GW. Budget: Rs 34,422 crore. National Mission on Natural Farming: Transition to chemical-free farming. 1 crore farmers to adopt natural farming. Rs 2,481 crore budget. 15,000 bio-input resource centres. Based on "Zero Budget Natural Farming" model (pioneered by Subhash Palekar in Karnataka/Andhra Pradesh). FAME (Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric Vehicles): FAME I (2015-19): Rs 895 crore. FAME II (2019-24): Rs 10,000 crore — incentives for EVs and charging infrastructure. PM E-DRIVE (PM Electric Drive Revolution in Innovative Vehicle Enhancement, 2024): Successor to FAME. Rs 10,900 crore. Subsidies for electric 2-wheelers, 3-wheelers, ambulances, trucks, buses. 22,045 EV charging stations. National Mission for Clean Ganga (Namami Gange, 2014): Rejuvenation of Ganga river and tributaries. Budget: Rs 20,000 crore. 172 sewage treatment plants (STPs) with 6,508 MLD capacity. 468 ghats and crematoria modernised. Ganga now has 36% improvement in dissolved oxygen levels. Mission LIFE (Lifestyle for Environment): India's initiative at COP26 — promoting sustainable lifestyles. Individual behavioral changes: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle.
Relevant Exams
Government schemes are tested in every competitive exam. Banking exams extensively ask about Jan Dhan, Mudra Yojana details (Shishu/Kishore/Tarun), and PM-JAY coverage. SSC exams test scheme launch years, beneficiaries, and financial details. UPSC tests the broader policy rationale, implementation challenges, and convergence of schemes.