Important Government Schemes and Initiatives

“Important Government Schemes and Initiatives” is one of the most frequently asked topics in the Static GK / Current Affairs section of almost all Indian competitive exams (SSC, Banking, Railways, UPSC, State PSC, etc.).

Here’s a simple-English, easy-to-remember article covering major schemes under various sectors — like health, education, women empowerment, agriculture, employment, and digital governance.

Introduction

The Government of India launches many schemes and initiatives to promote social welfare, economic development, and inclusive growth.

These schemes aim to improve living standards, reduce poverty, and provide better opportunities for citizens.

Knowing the names, purposes, and ministries of major schemes is essential for static GK and general awareness in exams.

1. Health and Nutrition Schemes

SchemeLaunched InObjective / Key Feature
Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)2018Provides free health insurance of ₹5 lakh per family per year to poor and vulnerable families.
Pradhan Mantri Jan Aushadhi Yojana2008Provides affordable generic medicines through Jan Aushadhi stores.
Poshan Abhiyaan2018Aims to reduce malnutrition among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
Mission Indradhanush2014Immunisation program to cover all children and pregnant women with essential vaccines.
National Health Mission (NHM)2013 (merged NRHM + NUHM)Strengthens public health systems in rural and urban areas.

 Key Fact: Ayushman Bharat is the world’s largest government-funded healthcare scheme.

 2. Education and Skill Development Schemes

SchemeLaunched InObjective / Key Feature
Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan2018Integrates school education from pre-primary to Class 12 under one umbrella.
Mid-Day Meal Scheme (PM POSHAN)1995 (renamed 2021)Provides free meals to school children to improve nutrition and attendance.
Skill India Mission / Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)2015Trains youth in employable skills for better job opportunities.
SWAYAM2017Free online education platform for students and teachers.
NEP 2020 Implementation2020Reforms India’s education system to promote flexibility and practical learning.

 Key Fact: PMKVY aims to train over 40 crore youth under the Skill India initiative.

 3. Agriculture and Rural Development Schemes

SchemeLaunched InObjective / Key Feature
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)2019Provides ₹6,000 per year directly to small and marginal farmers.
Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)2016Crop insurance for farmers against losses due to natural calamities.
PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY)2015Promotes efficient irrigation – “More crop per drop”.
MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act)2005Guarantees 100 days of wage employment in rural areas.
National Rural Livelihood Mission (NRLM / Aajeevika)2011Promotes self-employment and women’s self-help groups in villages.

 Key Fact: PM-KISAN transfers are directly credited to farmers’ bank accounts through the DBT system.

 4. Women Empowerment and Social Welfare

SchemeLaunched InObjective / Key Feature
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)2015Promotes the survival, protection, and education of girl children.
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)2017Maternity benefit scheme for pregnant and lactating women.
One Stop Centre Scheme (Sakhi)2015Provides support to women affected by violence.
Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)2016Provides free LPG connections to women from poor households.
Mahila E-Haat2016Online marketing platform for women entrepreneurs.

 Key Fact: Over 9 crore LPG connections have been distributed under Ujjwala Yojana.

 5. Housing, Urban & Infrastructure Development

SchemeLaunched InObjective / Key Feature
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)2015Provides affordable housing to all by 2024 (urban + rural).
Smart Cities Mission2015Develops 100 cities with modern infrastructure and IT-enabled governance.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)2015Improves basic urban services like water supply and sewerage.
Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)2014Promotes sanitation, builds toilets, and aims for a clean India.
PM Gati Shakti Yojana2021National Master Plan for multi-modal infrastructure connectivity.

 Key Fact: Over 11 crore toilets have been built under the Swachh Bharat Mission.

 6. Financial Inclusion and Employment

SchemeLaunched InObjective / Key Feature
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)2014Provides basic bank accounts, insurance, and direct benefits to the poor.
Atal Pension Yojana (APY)2015Provides pension for workers in the unorganised sector.
Stand Up India / Start Up India2016Encourages entrepreneurship, especially among women and SC/ST categories.
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)2015Offers collateral-free loans to small and micro businesses.
Digital India Programme2015Promotes digital access, e-governance, and online services for citizens.

 Key Fact: PMJDY has opened over 50 crore bank accounts, boosting financial inclusion.

 7. Environment, Energy, and Technology

SchemeLaunched InObjective / Key Feature
Ujjwala 2.02021Extended version of Ujjwala for new LPG beneficiaries.
UJALA Scheme2015Promotes use of LED bulbs to save energy.
National Solar Mission2010Promotes solar power and renewable energy development.
Namami Gange Programme2014Cleans and rejuvenates the Ganga River.
FAME India Scheme2015Promotes electric vehicles and clean mobility.

 Key Fact: Under UJALA, over 36 crore LED bulbs have been distributed, saving huge power.

 Quick Revision Table

SectorImportant SchemesLaunch Year
HealthAyushman Bharat, Poshan Abhiyaan, NHM2013–2018
EducationPM POSHAN, PMKVY, Samagra Shiksha2015–2018
AgriculturePM-KISAN, PMFBY, PMKSY2015–2019
Women EmpowermentBBBP, PMMVY, Ujjwala2015–2017
Urban DevelopmentPMAY, Smart Cities, Swachh Bharat2014–2015
FinancePMJDY, Mudra, Atal Pension Yojana2014–2015
EnvironmentUJALA, Namami Gange, FAME India2010–2015

 Key Takeaways

  • Many flagship schemes are launched under the “Pradhan Mantri” prefix.
  • Focus areas: Health, Women, Farmers, Youth, Housing, Digital India.
  • Schemes are monitored using Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) for transparency.
  • Questions often ask about launch year, ministry, or main objective.

Key Government Schemes from 2022 to 2025

Here are 20 Government of India schemes launched between 2022-2025 (or newly restructured/majorly upgraded), with launch year, ministry, and key objective. Use this as a revision list.

#Scheme NameYearMinistry / Dept.Key Objective
1Amrit Bharat Station Scheme2023Ministry of RailwaysRedevelop ~1,275 railway stations across India. 
2Pradhan Mantri Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman Yojana2023Ministry of MSMESupport artisans/crafts-persons with skill up-gradation and market access. 
3Prime Minister Internship Scheme2024Ministry of Corporate AffairsProvide ~1 crore internships over 5 years in top companies. 
4Subhadra Yojana2024Ministry of Women & Child Development (Odisha State)Financial assistance scheme for eligible women aged 21-60 in Odisha. 
5Namo Drone Didi Scheme2023Ministry of Skill Development & EntrepreneurshipTrain women/trainers in drone operations for agriculture & allied fields. 
6Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission2023Ministry of Tribal AffairsImprove socio-economic conditions of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs). 
7Credit Guarantee Scheme for MSMEs2023Ministry of FinanceProvide collateral-free term loans to MSMEs under guarantee cover. 
8Green India Digital Mission2025–Digital initiatives for green transformation and environment (planned).
9PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana2024Ministry of New & Renewable EnergyRooftop solar installations for households, up to 300 free units/month. 
10PMAY Urban 2.02024Ministry of Housing & Urban AffairsAddress housing needs of 1 crore urban middle-class & poor families. 
11Mission LiFE2021 (but active 2022-25)Ministry of Environment, Forest & Climate ChangePromote sustainable living and lifestyle for environment.
12SVAMITVA Yojana2022Ministry of Panchayati RajIssue property cards to rural households using drone surveys. 
13Amrit Kaal Mission for Tribal Livelihood2024Ministry of Tribal AffairsBoost sustainable livelihood for tribal communities (proposed).
14PM Suraksha Vikas Yojana2024–Welfare support for backward & minority communities.
15New Skilling Programme (ITIs upgrade)2024Ministry of Skill Development & EntrepreneurshipSkill youth in Industry-4.0 trades; upgrade 1,000 ITIs. 
16Jal Shakti Abhiyan: Catch the Rain2024Ministry of Jal ShaktiWater-conservation drive for rainwater harvesting & resource management. 
17Pharma Innovation Programme2023Ministry of Health & Family WelfarePromote innovation & research in pharmaceuticals through centres of excellence. 
18Aspirational Blocks Programme2023NITI Aayog / Multiple MinistriesProvide essential services across 500 blocks: health, nutrition, skill, infrastructure. 
19SMILE – Support for Marginalised Individuals2024Ministry of Social Justice & EmpowermentMedical assistance, skill and economic linkage for marginalised persons. 
20New Paid Internship Programme (Internships 1 crore)2024Ministry of Youth Affairs / Corporate AffairsPaid internships to youth in top companies; allowance + support. 

Note: Some schemes are proposed or in early implementation phase and may map to state-centre collaborations. Always cross-check official sources for exact details and budget outlays.

Key Takeaways

  • The Government of India continues to launch new schemes focusing on self-reliance, employment, women empowerment, digital growth, and clean energy.
  • Post-2021, there has been a strong push toward green energy (solar, electric, renewable) and digital governance.
  • Skill development and youth employment remain priority areas through schemes like PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 and the Prime Minister Internship Scheme.
  • Women empowerment initiatives like Drone Didi and Subhadra Yojana highlight the government’s focus on inclusive growth.
  • Infrastructure programmes such as Amrit Bharat Station Scheme and PMAY Urban 2.0 aim to modernise cities and improve connectivity.
  • PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana supports India’s renewable-energy goals by encouraging rooftop solar installations.
  • Mission LiFE and the Green India Digital Mission emphasise India’s commitment to environmental protection and sustainable living.
  • Schemes like PVTG Development Mission and Aspirational Blocks Programme target the upliftment of marginalised communities.
  • Many of these initiatives align with India’s long-term vision of “Viksit Bharat @ 2047” — a developed and inclusive nation by 2047.
  • For exams, focus on launch year, ministry, main objective, and target group — these are the most commonly asked details.