Government schemes

Government schemes

1. Government Loan Schemes

The government loan schemes from the list of government schemes have been mentioned below. The schemes have been explained so you can understand and utilize them. These often offer loans at subsidized rates for specialized purposes. The eligibility criteria for them are also very inclusive giving opportunities to minority and low-income groups. 

a) Niryat Rin Vikas Yojana Scheme (NIRVIK):

This initiative was introduced to make loans easily accessible for small-scale exporters. It also aims to protect small exporters from the volatile market using insurance coverage.

b) PM Awas Yojana - (Gramin):

This scheme was launched to provide funds to build a ‘pucca’ house with basic amenities for all houseless people or those living in ‘kutcha’ or dilapidated houses. It can sanction Rs.1.2 Lakh and Rs.1.3 Lakh for plain and hilly areas, respectively, and up to Rs.12,000 for building toilets.

c) PM Awaas Yojana - (Urban):

This scheme was launched to provide housing to all in urban areas. Beneficiaries can apply for funds under the categories of Economically Weaker Section (EWS), Low-income Group (LIG),  Middle Income Group-I (MIG-I), and Middle Income Group-II (MIG-II).

d) PM Mudra Yojana:

MUDRA is short for Micro Units Development & Refinance Agency Ltd. It provides financial support to micro and small enterprises by giving them subsidized loans. These loans can be accessed in all major banks in the country.

e) PM Street Vendor’s AtmaNirbhar Nidhi (PM SVANidhi):

Part of the Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, this scheme aims at providing loans to street vendors who were affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. It aims to help them restart their business and become self-reliant.

2. Government Pension Schemes

Government pension schemes help people from all sections save funds for their retirement. These accounts can be opened by people working in private and government sectors, as well as self-employed individuals. These are safe government-backed schemes, where the interest and pension amount is predecided based on your contribution. Here is a description of the most popular government pension schemes.

a) Atal Pension Yojana:

This is a government pension scheme that guarantees up to Rs.5,000 per month on reaching 60 years. Previously, under this scheme, the government contributed Rs.1,000 per account per year, but that was only till 2013-14.

b) PM Suraksha Bima Yojana:

This insurance scheme covers death and disability for a year and can be renewed every year. It is designed in such a way that persons with total and impartial disability can also avail benefits of this insurance scheme.

c) PM Vaya Vandana Yojana:

This is another government pension scheme available for people above 60 years. It is a GST-exempt scheme and the pension will be paid monthly, quarterly, half-yearly, or yearly as chosen by the person who opens the account.

3. Government Schemes for Women:

For the empowerment of women and adolescent girls, there are many government schemes for women. These give women access to healthcare, loans, and education.

a) Mahila Samman Savings Certificate (MSSC):

It is a one-time small savings scheme introduced by the government for women with a maturity period of two years. A woman or guardian of a girl child can open this account and deposit a maximum amount of Rs.2 Lakh. They will get an interest of 7.50% p.a. on the deposited amount.

b) PM Matritva Vandana Yojana:

This scheme is for pregnant and lactating mothers and it provides partial remuneration for the wage loss that occurs during that time. It can encourage women to take adequate rest before turning up to work.

c) Scheme for Adolescent girls:

This scheme covers the well-being of adolescent girls. Earlier it used to cover girls aged 11-14, but now it covers ages 14-18. Nutritional and other support such as awareness about menstrual hygiene are the main objectives of this scheme.

4. SERB-POWER Scheme

The SERB-POWER scheme aims to reduce gender disparity in research funding as well as academic programs. Systematic efforts have been put in to promote weighted chances for Indian women scientists working in the field of science and engineering.

a) Stand-Up India:

This scheme is run under the Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI) for financing SC/ST or women entrepreneurs. The funding is given for manufacturing, servicing, or trading sectors, and at least one SC, ST, or female entrepreneur must get the loan per bank branch.

b) Sukanya Samridhi Yojana:

This is a saving or deposit scheme where parents can invest and build a fund for higher education, etc. for their girl child.

5. Other Government Schemes

There are many government schemes apart from pension schemes, loan schemes, and schemes for women. These focus on a variety of sectors to provide a better quality of life to the Indian citizens.

a) Agniveer Scheme or Agnipath Defence Policy Reform:

This scheme was launched to deploy fitter and younger troops on the front lines. Under this scheme, 45,000 to 50,000 new soldiers were planned to be recruited. This was supposed to reduce the defense bill significantly.

b) Antyodaya Anna Yojana:

This scheme was introduced to help millions of Below Poverty Line families by giving them food grains at reduced prices. Rice and wheat were distributed at Rs.3 and Rs.2 a kilo, respectively. In the early 2000s, an additional 50 Lakh households led by widows, terminally ill people, etc.

c) Atal Bhujal Yojana:

The Atal Bhujal Yojana was launched to facilitate groundwater management sustainably. It focused on spreading awareness in the public so that they don’t waste water and use it optimally.

d) Ayushman Bharat Yojana:

This scheme intends to help over 10 crore vulnerable families by providing up to Rs.5 Lakh per family per year. This money is to cover their secondary and tertiary healthcare, including hospitalization.

e) Deendayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana:

This scheme is considered to possess significant potential to reduce poverty. It aims to skill rural youth and help them find suitable and sustainable employment.

f) Digital India:

The Digital India scheme is one that covers multiple departments. It aims to digitally empower society and prepare India for a future in information technology.

g) Mission COVID Suraksha:

This was launched in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic for vaccine development. This grant was provided to the Department of Biotechnology for research and development of said vaccines. It was also to bring the vaccines closer to getting licensed and marketed so that lives could be protected.

h) Mission Karmayogi:

The Mission Karmayogi aims to reform the civil services building at individual, institutional, and process levels. It is supposed to bring harmony in training standards and share faculty as well as resources. It aims to supervise all Central Training Institutions.

i) Mission Sagar:

This scheme was an initiative of India to help 15 countries in the Indian Ocean during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Indian Navy delivered food aid, liquid medical oxygen, oxygen concentrators, and ISO containers.

j) PM Adarsh Gram Yojana:

The Adarsh Gram Yojana aims at the development of villages that have a majority of Scheduled Caste population. This scheme makes use of relevant schemes and other funds (up to Rs.20 Lakh per village) for identified activities.

k) PM Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan:

This is a government scheme to help farmers of this country by providing correct remuneration for their produce. This will complement the increase in MSP and increase the farmers’ income.

l) PM Fasal Bima Yojana:

This scheme aims to support agriculture by stabilizing the income of farmers and providing support to farmers who have had crop loss or damage. It also plans to encourage farmers to adopt new technology and a flow of credit to them.

m) PM Gram Sadak Yojana:

The Gram Sadak Yojana aims to connect unconnected areas and manage the network of rural roads.

n) PM Innovative Learning Programme (DHRUV):

This scheme plans to identify and encourage talented children all over the country to reach their full potential. Renowned experts in different fields will guide children and help enrich their skills and knowledge.

o) PM Jan Dhan Yojana:

The Jan Dhan Yojana aims to open basic bank accounts for people who still don’t have bank accounts. This will give them access to financial services like credit, insurance, pension, etc.

p) PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana:

This is a one-year insurance scheme that covers death and can be renewed every year. It aims at making insurance accessible for the poor and underprivileged section of our society.

q) PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana:

The objective of this Skill Certification Scheme is to equip the youth with relevant skills so they can get employed and earn a better living.

r) PM Kisan Samman Nidhi:

This scheme is supposed to provide income support worth Rs.6,000 per year to all landholding farmer families. The eligible beneficiaries will be selected by the state government.

s) PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana:

The priority under this scheme is to conserve water meant for crops and manage it more efficiently. It is supposed to involve creating sources of water, distributing, managing, and applying it on fields, and other activities.

t) PM Matsya Sampada Yojana:

This scheme from the Government of India plans to improve the management of fisheries by introducing technology to the infrastructure and marketing. It also aims to focus on the welfare of fish farmers in all states and Union Territories.

u) PM Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan:

This was earlier known as the National Programme of Mid-Day Meal in Schools. Under this scheme, the government provides meals to students of Classes I-VIII in eligible schools. This was started to improve the health and provide nutritional support to children in elementary stages. 

v) PM Swasthya Suraksha Yojana:

The Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana makes affordable and reliable healthcare available in areas where it is not available. It aims at correcting the imbalance of availability of tertiary healthcare in certain parts of the country.

w) PM Ujjwala Yojana:

Using traditional fuel for cooking has a negative impact on their health as well as the environment. Thus, this scheme was launched to introduce clean cooking fuel, i.e. LPG to all rural households.

x) Sahakar Mitra Scheme:

As per this scheme, the National Cooperative Development Corporation provides short internship opportunities for young graduates. This can help turn their knowledge into experience and turn them into professionals.

y) Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana:

This scheme aims to build ‘ideal’ villages that can inspire other Gram Panchayats. To make this possible, each Member of Parliament adopts a Gram Panchayat. They are then responsible for the holistic improvement of the village - both social and infrastructural.

z) Smart Cities Mission:

Under this scheme, 100 cities have been selected to be developed as smart cities. They are supposed to improve the quality of life of citizens through a sustainable environment. Economic growth is also to be focused on while maintaining cleanliness.

za) Sustainable Alternative Towards Affordable Transportation (SATAT) Scheme:

This scheme was launched to reduce dependency on fossil fuels. The primary objective is to set up Compressed Biogas production plants. Then by inviting potential investors, it can be made available for market use.

zb) Svamitva Yojana:

This scheme was launched to establish ownership of property in rural areas. Drones are used for mapping land and ownership cards are issued.

zc) Swachh Bharat Abhiyan:

The Clean India Mission covers over 4,000 towns and involves a cleaning drive of roads and other infrastructure. People from all walks of life like government employees, students, and famous people have joined this mission.

zd) Unnat Jeevan by Affordable LEDs and Appliances for All:

This scheme was launched to make households energy efficient. This aims at reducing the energy intake of the country.