List of Government Schemes in India

Author at PW
June 17, 2025
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India has many government schemes to help people in different ways, such as jobs, health, housing, farming, education, and women’s safety. These schemes are launched and run by the central government and by states. This government schemes list will help you understand what help is available and how these govt schemes work.

We explain the central government schemes list. Each scheme is created to solve a problem. Many of these are for the poor, farmers, women, students, and the elderly.

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What Are Government Schemes?

Government schemes are special programs that help people in need. The government creates these programs to make life better for everyone. Some schemes provide money, others provide services, and many offer both. These programs reach millions of families across India.

Major Central Government Schemes List

The central government runs the biggest programs in India. These central government schemes work in all states. Here are the most important ones:

Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA)

MGNREGA is a central government scheme that gives jobs to people living in villages. It promises 100 days of paid work each year to every rural household. The work includes road building, pond cleaning, tree planting, and other public work.

Main benefits:

  • Fixed wages

  • Payment directly to bank accounts

  • Work provided close to home

  • Women are encouraged to apply

This scheme has helped many families earn money and live better lives.

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)

PMAY is a popular government scheme for housing. It helps poor families build or buy homes at low cost.

PMAY-Urban:

For city areas

  • Gives up to ₹2.67 lakh interest subsidy

  • Women co-ownership is preferred

  • Supports eco-friendly construction

PMAY-Gramin:

For villages

  • Merges older schemes like Indira Awas Yojana

  • Helps rural families build pucca (strong) homes

Ayushman Bharat – Health for All

Ayushman Bharat is a major health government scheme. It gives free hospital treatment to poor families, up to ₹5 lakh per year.

Key features:

  • Covers over 10 crore poor families

  • No money needed at the hospital

  • Valid in public and some private hospitals

  • Digital health card for every member

This central government scheme helps reduce medical bills and save lives.

Check Out:

UPSC UDAAN 500+ Government Schemes and Initiatives | 500 Days Current Affairs Revision Booklet l For UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam 2025

UPSC UDAAN 500+ Updated Part 1 Hindi January to February 2025 | 500 Days Current Affairs Revision Booklet l For UPSC Civil Services Prelims Exam 2025

Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)

This govt scheme started in 2014 to open bank accounts for all. It helps even the poorest person get a zero-balance account.

What it offers:

  • Free bank account

  • Debit card (RuPay)

  • Life and accident insurance

  • Easy access to government money transfer

This government scheme helps people save money and join the formal banking system.

Atal Pension Yojana (APY)

Atal Pension Yojana is for people working in the unorganized sector—like street vendors, helpers, or daily wage earners. This govt scheme gives a monthly pension after the age of 60.

Highlights:

Age to join: 18–40 years

  • Monthly savings starting from ₹42

  • Pension from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000

  • Guaranteed monthly pension for life

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)

This central government scheme supports girls. It spreads awareness about girl child rights and helps in their education.

Goals:

  • Stop female foeticide

  • Encourage school education for girls

  • Improve child sex ratio

  • Promote girl safety

Check Out: UPSC Revision Books

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

PM-KISAN is a govt scheme that gives ₹6,000 per year to small and marginal farmers.

How it works:

  • Money given in three parts every year

  • Sent directly to farmers’ bank accounts

  • For farmers with land up to 2 hectares

Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)

SBM is a cleanliness drive under central government schemes. Its aim is to make India clean.

Two parts:

  • Urban: Toilet building, garbage control

  • Rural: End open defecation

Achievements:

  • Over 10 crore toilets built

  • Improved hygiene in villages and cities

Skill India Mission

Skill India trains young people to get jobs. It focuses on teaching useful skills like plumbing, electrical work, data entry, and more.

Key Features:

  • Short-term courses

  • Training centres across India

  • Certificates after training

  • Job placement support

This government scheme reduces unemployment by giving real skills.

Digital India Mission

Digital India is a technology-based central government scheme. It aims to connect all villages with the internet and make services online.

Major services:

  • Digital lockers

  • Online certificates

  • eHospital

  • eScholarships

This govt scheme helps bring technology to every home.

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PM Mudra Yojana

Mudra Yojana gives loans to small businesses. This government scheme supports people who want to start or grow their business.

Loan types:

  • Shishu: Up to ₹50,000

  • Kishor: ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh

  • Tarun: ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh

No security is needed for Mudra loans.

Ujjwala Yojana

This central government scheme gives free LPG (cooking gas) connections to poor families.

Benefits:

  • Safe and clean cooking

  • Reduced health risks from smoke

  • Women don’t need to collect firewood

National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

NSAP gives pensions to old age people, widows, and disabled persons.

Support includes:

  • Monthly pension

  • Help for below-poverty-line families

Simple application through Gram Panchayat

State-Specific Government Schemes

Apart from these central government schemes, every state has its own special govt scheme.

Examples:

  • Maharashtra: Lek Ladki Yojana for girl child savings

  • Telangana: Aarogya Lakshmi for nutrition of pregnant women

  • Tamil Nadu: Amma Unavagam for low-cost food

  • West Bengal: Kanyashree for girl students

  • Odisha: Biju Swasthya Kalyan Yojana for health care

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How These Central Government Schemes List Helps People

These programs have changed millions of lives. Poor families now have:

- Safe homes to live in

- Bank accounts to save money

- Free healthcare when sick

- Jobs to earn daily bread

- Skills to get better work

The government spends lakhs of crores every year on these programs. This money comes from taxes and is used to help those who need it most.

How to Apply for These Govt Schemes

Most government schemes have simple application processes:

1. Visit the nearest government office

2. Fill out the application form

3. Submit required documents

4. Wait for approval

5. Receive benefits

Many schemes now allow online applications through government websites. This makes it easier for people to apply from home.

Who Can Get Help from These Programs

Different schemes help different groups of people:

- Poor families below poverty line

- Farmers with small land

- Women and children

- Old and disabled people

- Young people looking for jobs

- Small business owners

The government checks family income and other details to decide who gets help. This ensures that help reaches those who need it most.

The government continues to create new schemes and improve existing ones. The goal is to ensure that every Indian gets basic needs like housing, healthcare, education, and employment. These central government schemes represent India's commitment to helping its people. By working together, the government and citizens can build a stronger, more prosperous nation where everyone has opportunities to succeed.

Read More: List of Important Articles in Indian Constitution

Government Schemes in India FAQs

1.What are government schemes in India?

Government schemes are programs started by the central or state governments to help citizens. They support people with jobs, health, education, housing, farming, and more.

2. How can I apply for a government scheme?

You can apply online through official government websites or visit your local government office, CSC center, or panchayat office.

3. What is the most popular government scheme for farmers?

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) is a well-known scheme that gives ₹6,000 per year to small farmers.

4. What is the aim of Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)?

PMAY helps poor families build or buy affordable homes in urban and rural areas, with subsidy on home loans.

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