Government Schemes and Programs for UPSC Prelims 2025 -

Ministry of Ayush

1. MISSION UTKARSH

Initiative of: Joint public health initiative by the Ministries of Ayush and Women and Child Development.

Aim: To achieve the goal of ‘Anaemia Mukt Bharat’ (Anaemia Free India)
Target group: Nutritional improvement among approximately 95,000 adolescent girls (14-18 years) in anaemia prone districts (where average prevalence of anaemia is approximately 69.5 %) today.

Key features:

15 central ministries or departments will work to elevate districts at the bottom, to state and national averages. o In the first phase, the focus may be on improving the anaemic status of adolescent girls in five aspirational districts of five states namely Assam (Dhubri), Chhattisgarh (Bastar), Jharkhand (Paschimi Singhbhum), Maharashtra (Gadchiroli), and Rajasthan (Dhaulpur).

2. SMART 2.0 (SCOPE FOR MAINSTREAMING AYURVEDA RESEARCH AMONG TEACHING PROFESSIONALS) PROGRAM

Launched in: 2024
Apex organisation: The Central Council for Research in Ayurvedic Sciences (CCRAS) for the formulation, coordination, development and promotion of research on scientific lines in Ayurveda.
Aim: To promote robust clinical studies in priority areas of Ayurveda with Ayurveda academic institutions/hospitals across the country through mutual collaborat

3. AYURVEDA GYAN NAIPUNYA INITIATIVE (AGNI)

Implemented by: Central Council for Research in Ayurveda Sciences
Aim: To provide a platform to Ayurveda practitioners for reporting their innovative practices & and experiences in various disease conditions.

Key features:

Practice Documentation: Encourages Ayurveda practitioners to report and document evidence-based therapeutic practices and outcomes
Knowledge Database: Creates comprehensive documentation of successful treatments including single drugs, formulations, and procedures for educational purposes
Practitioner Engagement: Identifies and trains interested Ayurveda practitioners in research methods and clinical practices to build a collaborative database

4.FIRST WHO TRADITIONAL MEDICINE GLOBAL SUMMIT: GUJARAT DECLARATION

Organised by: WHO and co-hosted by the Ministry of Ayush.
Aims: To advance evidence-based traditional medicine interventions for universal health coverage and health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Key action points:

Global Commitment: Reinforces international dedication to preserving indigenous knowledge, biodiversity, and traditional medicine systems
Evidence-Based Integration: Promotes incorporation of traditional medicine into national health systems based on high-quality research findings
Product Development: Focuses on accelerating production and regulation of scientifically validated traditional and complementary medicine products
Standardization: Implements WHO’s ICD-11 standards for documenting traditional medicine practices and evidence
Global Network: Establishes worldwide TCIM reference clinical centers for systematic data collection and sharing

The declaration reaffirmed global commitments towards indigenous knowledges, biodiversity and traditional, complementary and integrative medicine.
Support the evidence-based integration in national health policies and systems based on the highest quality research.
NAccelerate the production, regulation, and formal utilization of scientifically proven TCIM (Traditional complimentary integrative medicine) products and practices.
Policies to standardize TCIM documentation using WHO’s ICD-11 for evidence integration.
Establishment of a global network of TCIM reference clinical centres for data collection.

5.INTERNATIONAL CLASSIFICATION OF DISEASES (ICD- 11)

Collaboration of: Ministry of AYUSH, in collaboration with the World Health Organisation.

Key features:

Under ICD 11, the names and data of prevalent diseases of Ayurveda, Siddha, and Unani Medicine will be notified in the code internationally through the TM 2 module.
It covers diseases like Malaria, insomnia, and Vertigo Guidance Disorder.
It will further strengthen and expand India’s healthcare delivery system, research, Ayush insurance coverage, research & development, policy making system.

MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND FARMER

1. NEW SOIL HEALTH CARD SCHEME

Launched in: 2015
Implementing agency: Department of Agriculture
Aim: To aid State Governments in distributing soil health cards to all farmers across the nation.

Key features:

Purpose: Provides farmers with detailed soil nutrient analysis and specific recommendations for fertilizer usage to maintain long-term soil health
Issuance Cycle: Cards issued every 2 years per farm holding to monitor and address nutrient deficiencies regularly
Nutrient Analysis: Tests 12 parameters including:
- Macro-nutrients (N, P, K)
- Secondary nutrient (S)
- Micro-nutrients (Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Bo)
- Physical parameters (pH, EC, OC)
Technological Integration: Enhanced portal with GIS integration enabling mapped visualization of soil test results across regions

SHC is meant to give each farmer soil nutrient status of his land and advise him on the dosage of fertilizers and the needed soil amendments, that he should apply to maintain soil health in the long run.
The card will be issued once in every 2 years to a farm so that nutrients deficiency can be regularly detected and improved.
SHC is a printed report that a farmer will be handed over for each of his holdings. It will contain the status of his soil with respect to 12 parameters, namely N, P, K (Macro-nutrients); S (Secondary- nutrient); Zn, Fe, Cu, Mn, Bo (Micro – nutrients); and pH, EC, OC (Physical parameters).
The government has made some technological interventions in the Soil Health Card Scheme. The Soil Health Card portal has been revamped and integrated with a Geographic Information System (GIS) system so that all the test results are captured and seen on a map.

2. PRADHAN MANTRI FASAL BIMA YOJANA (PMFBY)

Type of scheme: Central sector scheme
Aim:To support production in agriculture by providing affordable crop insurance to ensure comprehensive risk cover for crops of farmers against all non-preventable natural risks from pre-sowing to post-harvest stage, on an ‘Area Approach Basis’.
Administered by: Department of Agriculture, Cooperation and Farmers’ Welfare.

Key features:

Coverage Scope: Complete cropping cycle coverage, Pre-sowing to post-harvest protection, Protection against midseason adversities
Eligibility:
- Mandatory Coverage: Loanee farmers with Crop Loan/KCC accounts for notified crops
- Optional Coverage: Non-loanee farmers

Premium Structure:

Farmer’s Share: Kharif crops: 2%, Rabi crops: 1.5%, Commercial/Horticultural crops: 5%
Government Support: Premium subsidy: 95-98.5%, Equal sharing between state and central governments
Crop Coverage: Cereals and millet, Pulses, Oilseed, Annual commercial crops, Horticultural crops
Exclusions: War-related losses, Nuclear risks, Deliberate damage, Avoidable risks
Focus: Protection against crop yield losses in agriculture sector

Technological advancements:

YES-Tech Manual:

A technology-driven yield estimation system, offering methodologies, best practices, and integration insights for accurate yield assessments at the gram panchayat level.

WINDS portal:

Centralised platform that hosts, manages and processes hyper-local weather data collected by automatic weather stations and rain gauges at taluk/block and gram panchayat levels.
The portal enhances risk assessment and decision-making in crop insurance, agriculture advisories, and disaster mitigation, supporting the agricultural sector and rural economy.

Door-to-door enrolment app AIDE/Sahayak:

To revolutionise the enrolment process, bringing it directly to the doorstep of farmers. This door-to-door enrolment ensures a seamless and transparent process, making crop insurance more accessible and convenient for farmers.

3. RASHTRIYA KRISHI VIKAS YOJANA- REMUNERATIVE APPROACHES FOR AGRICULTURE AND ALLIED SECTOR REJUVENATION (RKVY-RAFTAAR)

Launched in: 2007
Type of scheme: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
Aim: For strengthening infrastructure in agriculture and allied sector in order to promote agripreneurship and agribusiness by providing financial support and nurturing the incubation ecosystem

Features of the scheme:

Under this programme, start-ups are encouraged to use innovative technologies to resolve challenges faced in agriculture and allied sectors.
Assisting farmers in increasing their income by fostering productivity and promoting value-chain additionlinked production models.
Mitigating risks, strengthening farmers’ efforts, and promoting agri-business entrepreneurship through the development of agricultural infrastructure.
Reducing farmers’ risks by focusing on income generation through activities such as mushroom cultivation, integrated farming, floriculture, etc.
Granting all states autonomy and flexibility to create plans tailored to their local needs.
Empowering youth through various skill development initiatives, innovation, and agri-business models.

Components of the scheme:

R-ABI (RKVY-RAFTAAR Agribusiness Incubators): Strengthening of existing agribusiness incubators for integrated rejuvenation and development and setting up new ones.
Seed Stage Funding of R-ABI Incubatees: Under this, financial assistance of a maximum of Rs. 25 lakhs will be granted to potential start-ups that have a minimum viable product (MVP) based on innovative solutions/ processes / products/ services/ business models in agriculture and allied sector
Agripreneurship Orientation: Providing an opportunity to students/youth to work on their innovative ideas by imparting two months training cum hands on internship with other start-ups at the respective R-ABI.
Idea/Pre-Seed Stage Funding of Agripreneurs: Under this, subsistence grant of a maximum of Rs. 5 lakhs will be provided to interns who have successfully completed the initial two months of agripreneurship orientation programme and are aspiring to convert their innovative idea based on technology, service, business platforms etc. into a prototype/ product.
enhances risk assessment and decision-making in crop insurance, agriculture advisories, and disaster mitigation, supporting the agricultural sector and rural economy.
Door-to-door enrolment app AIDE/Sahayak: To revolutionise the enrolment process, bringing it directly to the doorstep of farmers. This door-to-door enrolment ensures a seamless and transparent process, making crop insurance more accessible and convenient for farmers.

4. NATIONAL MISSION ON EDIBLE OILS-OIL PALM (NMEO-OP)

Launched in: 2021
Type of scheme: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
Financial outlay: Rs. 11,040 crores
Aim: For substantial increase in oil palm cultivation and crude palm oil production.
Targets: To increase the area of oil palm to 10 lakh hectares from 3.5 lakh by 2025-26 and up to 28 lakh tonnes by 2029-30. o To increase the Crude Palm Oil production from 0.27 lakh tonnes to 11.20 lakh tonnes by 2025-26.

Key features: There are two major focus areas of the Scheme.

Price assurance: The assurance to the farmers will be in the form of the viability gap funding and the industry will be mandated to pay 14.3% of the Crude Palm Oil (CPO) price.
Assistance for inputs/interventions: A substantial increase has been made for planting material for oil palm and this has increased from Rs 12,000 per ha to Rs. 29000 per ha. Further substantial increase has been made for maintenance and inter-cropping interventions, establishment of seed gardens, nurseries, micro irrigation, bore well/pump set/water harvesting structure, vermi compost units, solar pumps, harvesting tools, custom hiring centre cum harvester Groups, farmers and officers training, and for replanting of old oil palm gardens etc.
Special focus on the North east region and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, with a focus on increasing the area and productivity of oilseeds and Oil Palm.

5.PM Kisan Samman Nidhi

Scheme Type: Central Sector scheme launched in 2019 by Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare
Core Objective: Provides direct income support to farmer families for agricultural, allied activities, and domestic needs
Financial Support: Rs. 6,000 annual support disbursed in three installments of Rs. 2,000 directly to farmers’ bank accounts
Coverage: Initially covered small and marginal farmers (up to 2 hectares), later expanded to all farmer families regardless of land holding size
Exclusions: Excludes affluent farmers including:
- Income tax payers
- Professional practitioners (doctors, engineers, lawyers)
- Pensioners receiving ₹10,000+ monthly

Central Sector scheme by the Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare in 2019.
To augment the income of the farmers by providing income support to all landholding farmers’ families across the country related to agriculture and allied activities as well as domestic needs.

Under the Scheme an amount of Rs.6000/-per year is transferred in three 4-monthly instalments of Rs2000/-directly into the bank accounts of the farmers
The Scheme initially provided income support to all small and Marginal Farmers’ holding cultivable land up to 2 hectares.later expanded to cover all farmer families irrespective of size of their land holdings.
Affluent farmers have been excluded from the scheme such as Income Tax payers in last assessment year, professionals like Doctors, Engineers, Lawyers etc pensioners drawing at least Rs.10,000/-per month

6.Pm kisan MAAN Dhan Yojana

Government has launched the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maan DhanYojana (PM-KMY) with a view to provide social security to Small and Marginal Farmers in their old age when they have no means of livelihood and minimal or no savings to take care of their expenses.

Under this scheme, a minimum fixed pension of Rs.3,000/- is provided to the small and marginal farmers, subject to certain exclusion criteria, on attaining the age of 60 years. It is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme.
The eligible farmer is required to contribute to a Pension Fund between Rs.55 to Rs.200 per month depending on the entry age. The Central Government also contributes in equal amount to the Pension Fund.

7.PM-KISAN

It is a Central Sector Scheme with 100% funding from the Government of India.
It is being implemented by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmer’s Welfare.
Under the scheme, the Centre transfers an amount of Rs 6,000 per year, in three equal instalments, directly into the bank accounts of the all landholding farmers irrespective of the size of their land holdings.
It intends to supplement the financial needs of the Small and Marginal Farmers (SMFs) in procuring various inputs to ensure proper crop health and appropriate yields, commensurate with the anticipated farm income at the end of each crop cycle.
The entire responsibility of identification of beneficiary farmer families rests with the State / UT Governments.

8.e-Shanta

The Union Commerce and Industry Minister has inaugurated an electronic platform named e-SANTA, which will connect aqua farmers and the buyers.
The term e-SANTA was coined for the web portal, meaning Electronic Solution for Augmenting NaCSA farmers’ Trade in Aquaculture.
e-SANTA is a digital bridge to end the market divide and will act as an alternative marketing tool between farmers & buyers by eliminating middlemen.
The farmers can freely list their produce and quote their price while the exporters have the freedom to list their requirements and also to choose the products based on their requirements such as desired size, location, harvest dates etc.
The Platform is available in many languages, which will help the local population.

9.Open market sale scheme(OMSS)

Omss refers to the selling of food grains by government/government agencies at predetermined prices in the open market from time to time.

This scheme aims to enhance the supply of grains especially during the lean season and thereby to moderate the general open market prices, especially in the deficit regions.
The Food Corporation of India (FCI) on the instructions from the Government, sells wheat and rice in the open market from time to time.
This enhances the supply of wheat and rice especially during the lean season and moderates the open market prices, especially in the deficit regions.

Weightage has been accorded to these districts as below:

Health & Nutrition (30%)
Education (30%)
Agriculture & Water Resources (20%)
Financial Inclusion & Skill Development (10%)
Basic Infrastructure (10%)

10.Agriculture Infrastructure Fund (AIF) Scheme

It is a Central Sector Scheme meant for setting up storage and processing facilities, which will help farmers, get higher prices for their crops.
It will support farmers, PACS, FPOs, Agri-entrepreneurs, etc. in building community farming assets and post-harvest agriculture infrastructure.
These assets will enable farmers to get greater value for their produce as they will be able to store and sell at higher prices, reduce wastage and increase processing and value addition.

What exactly is the AIF?

The AIF is a medium – long term debt financing facility for investment in viable projects for post-harvest management infrastructure and community farming assets through interest subvention and credit guarantee.
The duration of the scheme shall be from FY2020 to FY2029 (10 years).
Under the scheme, Rs. 1 Lakh Crore will be provided by banks and financial institutions as loans with interest subvention of 3% per annum.
It will provide credit guarantee coverage under Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE) for loans up to Rs. 2 Crore.

Target beneficiaries

The beneficiaries will include farmers:

PACS, Marketing Cooperative Societies, FPOs, SHGs, Joint Liability Groups (JLG), Multipurpose Cooperative Societies, Agri-entrepreneurs, Startups, and Central/State agency or Local Body sponsored Public-Private Partnership Projects.

11.Attracting and Retaining Youth in Agriculture (ARYA) Scheme

Implemented by : ICAR (Indian Council of Agricultural Research), Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare

Objective:

To attract and empower the Youth in Rural Areas to take up various Agriculture, allied and service sector enterprises for sustainable income and gainful employment in selected districts.
To enable the Farm Youth to establish network groups to take up resource and capital intensive activities like processing, value addition and marketing, and to demonstrate functional linkage with different institutions and stakeholders for convergence of opportunities available under various schemes/program for sustainable development

MINISTRY OF CONSUMER AFFAIRS, FOOD & PUBLIC DISTRIBUTION

1. PRADHAN MANTRI GARIB KALYAN ANNA YOJANA (PMGKAY)

Launched in: 2020
Extended till: 2028
Aim: To provide financial assistance to
Economically weaker sections affected by the pandemic.
Eligibility: Families belonging to Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY) and Priority Households (PHH) categories, households headed by widows or terminally ill persons or disabled persons or persons aged 60 years, all primitive tribal households and landless agricultural labourers, marginal farmers, rural artisans/craftsmen.

Key features:

The scheme is part of Atmanirbhar Bharat to supply free food grains to migrants and poor.
The scheme provides 5 kg of food grain to each family holding a ration card free of cost and the 5 kg of subsidized food grain already offered through the Public Distribution System (PDS).

2. CENTRAL CONSUMER PROTECTION AUTHORITY (CCPA)

It is a regulatory authority set up under Section 10(1) of the Consumer Protection Act, 2019.
To promote, protect and enforce the rights of consumers as a class.
It will be empowered to conduct investigations into violation of consumer rights and institute complaints / prosecution, order recall of unsafe goods and services, order discontinuation of unfair trade practices and misleading advertisements, impose penalties on manufacturers/endorsers/publishers of misleading advertisements.
It will have a Chief Commissioner as head, and only two other commissioners as members

3. e-Jagriti PORTAL

To offer an efficient, speedy, and economical software solution for resolving consumer disputes across all levels.
This portal serves as a central hub for consumer commissions, seamlessly integrating various grievance platforms like the Online Case Monitoring System (OCMS), E-Daakhil, and the National Consumer Dispute Redressal Commission (NCDRC) onto a unified platform.
It offers modules for case filing, online fee payment, and case monitoring, facilitating the swift disposal of cases by all commissions.
Additionally, it incorporates a Smart search feature powered by AI technology, enabling users to efficiently locate archived consumer complaints, cases, and judgments.
The portal also includes a Virtual court facility, providing consumers with a convenient and accessible means of resolving their complaints.

MINISTRY OF COMMERCE & INDUSTRY

1. REMISSION OF DUTIES AND TAXES ON EXPORTED PRODUCTS(RoDTEP)

Scheme replaced: Merchandise Export from India Scheme (MEIS) and Rebate of State and Central Taxes and Levies (RoSCTL).
Launched in: 2021
Extended till: 2024
Administered by: Department of Revenue
Aim: To reimburse the taxes and duties incurred by exporters such as local taxes, coal cess, mandi tax etc., which are not getting exempted or refunded under any other existing scheme.

Key features:

It ensures zero rating of exports i.e., taxes and duties should not be exported. Under this Scheme, duties and taxes levied at the Central, State and local levels, such as electricity duties and VAT on fuel, which are not getting exempted or refunded under GST will be refunded to exporters in form of Duty Credit Scrips.
The credits can be used to pay basic customs duty on imported goods or transferred to other importers – facilitating ease of transactions for exports.
The RoDTEP rates would be notified by the Department of Commerce.

2. UTTAR POORVA TRANSFORMATIVE INDUSTRIALIZATION SCHEME (UNNATI)

Launched in: 2024 ,
Till: 2034
Corpus: 10,037 crore
Type of scheme: Central sector scheme
Aim: To generate gainful employment and development of Industries in the states of Northeast Region, will lead to the area’s overall socio-economic development.
Implementing agency: Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade.
Target: Direct employment opportunities of about 83,000 and significant number of indirect employments.

Key features:

All eligible Industrial Units to commence their production or operation within 4 years from the grant of registration.
Districts are categorized in two zones: Zone A (Industrially Advanced Districts) & Zone B (Industrially Backward Districts)
60% of the outlay of Part A has been earmarked to 8 NE states and 40% on a First-In-First-Out (FIFO) basis.
All new Industrial units and Expanding units would be eligible for the respective incentives.

MINISTRY OF CULTURE

1. MERA GAON MERI DHAROHAR PROJECT

Developed in: Partnership with the Indira Gandhi National Centre for the Arts (IGNCA)
Aim: To make this wealth of information accessible to both virtual and real-time visitors, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of India’s diverse cultural roots.

Key features:

It is a pan-India initiative under National Mission on Cultural Mapping.
A web portal dedicated to MGMD, offering comprehensive details about every village, such as its geographic coordinates, demographics, and insights into traditional attire, jewellery, artistic creations, temples, local events, and celebrations.
The core idea behind this project is to encourage appreciation for India’s culture and traditions, paving way for economic growth, social harmony, and artistic development in rural communities.
Under the MGMD, information is collected under following categories: Arts and Crafts Village; Ecologically Oriented Village; Scholastic Village linked with Textual and Scriptural Traditions of India; Epic Village linked with Ramayana, Mahabharata and/or Puranic legends and oral epics; Historical Village linked with Local and National History; Architectural Heritage Village.

MINISTRY OF CHEMICALS AND FERTILISERS

1. PM PROGRAMME FOR RESTORATION, AWARENESS GENERATION, NOURISHMENT, AND AMELIORATION OF MOTHER EARTH (PM-PRANAM)

Aim: To encourage the balanced use of fertilisers in conjunction with bio fertilisers and organic fertilisers.

Key features:

Through this scheme, the government will emphasise reducing chemical fertilizer subsidies.
The scheme will have no separate budget and will be financed through the “savings of existing fertiliser subsidy” under schemes run by the Department of Fertilizers.
Around 50% of subsidy savings will be passed on as a grant to the state that saves the money.
70% of the grant provided under the scheme can be used for asset creation related to the technological adoption of alternate fertilisers and alternate fertiliser production units at the village, block, and district levels.
The remaining 30% of grant money can be used for rewarding and encouraging farmers, panchayats, farmer producer organisations, and self-help groups that are involved in the reduction of fertiliser use and awareness generation.

2. NATIONAL MEDICAL DEVICES POLICY, 2023

Vision: Goal is to become the top global leader in medical device manufacturing and innovation, focusing on patient needs. And to attain a 10-12% market share in the expanding $50 billion market by 2030, through accelerated growth strategies.
Mission: The policy outlines a roadmap for rapid growth in the medical devices sector, focusing on missions such as accessibility, affordability, quality, patient-centred care, preventive health, security, research, innovation, and skilled manpower.

Strategies to Promote Medical Device Sector:

Creation of a Single Window Clearance System’ for Licensing of Medical Devices co-opting all the stakeholder departments / organizations.
The establishment and strengthening of large medical device parks, clusters equipped with world class common infrastructure facilities in proximity to economic zones.
Facilitating R&D and Innovation and establishing Centres of Excellence in academic and research institutions, innovation hubs, ‘plug and play’ infrastructures and support to start-ups.
The policy encourages private investments, series of funding from Venture Capitalists, and also PublicPrivate Partnership(PPP).
The policy will support dedicated multidisciplinary courses for medical devices in existing institutions to ensure availability of skilled manpower for futuristic medical technologies.
The policy envisages the creation of a dedicated Export Promotion Council for the sector under the Department which will be an enabler to deal with various market access issues.

1. BHARAT 6G VISION

Aim: To enable India to emerge as a prominent worldwide provider of affordable 6G telecommunications solutions and intellectual property and identify priority areas for 6G research based on India’s competitive advantages.

Key features:

The government has set up a top council to manage the project, focusing on tasks like setting standards, deciding which frequencies to use for 6G, building a network for devices and systems, and arranging funding for research, among other duties.

The vision will be implemented in two phases:

Phase 1 (2023 to 2025): Support will be provided to explorative ideas, risky pathways and proof-ofconcept tests.
Phase II (2025 to 2030): Support ideas and concepts with potential for global acceptance, helping them develop fully, establish their usefulness, create intellectual property, and test them for commercialization.

2. CALL BEFORE U DIG (CBuD) APP

Initiative of: Department of Telecommunication
Aim: To encourage minimal or no damages to underground assets while carrying out any digging activity.

Key features:

This online platform, available in the form of an easy-to-use mobile app as well as online portal, facilitate smooth coordination between the digging agencies and underground utility asset owners to save the utilities from damages that may occur to them due to the digging activities.

MINISTRY OF CIVIL AVIATION

1. REGIONAL CONNECTIVITY SCHEME (RCS): UDE DESH KA AAM NAGRIK (UDAN 5.0)

Aim: To raise the momentum, connect new routes and bring us closer to the target of operationalizing 1000 routes & 50 additional airports, heliports and water aerodromes in the near future.
Key features: This 5.0 phase of the program concentrates on Category-2 (20-80 seats) and Category-3 (>80 seats).
The previous limit of 600 km for stage length is removed, allowing flights with any distance between origin and destination.
Viability gap funding (VGF) will be limited to 600 km stage length for both Priority and Non-Priority areas, which was previously capped at 500 km.
Airlines must start operations within 4 months of receiving the route award, down from the previous deadline of 6 months.

ABOUT UDAN

Launched in: 2017
Component of: National Civil Aviation Policy 2016 (NCAP)
Aim: To enhance connectivity to India’s unserved and under-served airports and envisages to make air travel affordable and widespread.

Phases of the UDAN:

Phase 1: To connect underserved and unserved airports in the country.
Phase 2: To expand air connectivity to more remote and inaccessible parts of the country.
Phase 3: To enhance air connectivity to hilly and remote regions of the country.
- The partner State Governments (other than UTs and NER states where contribution will be 10%) would contribute a 20% share to this fund.
Phase 4: For connecting islands and other remote areas of the country.

Key features:

Airlines have to cap airfares for 50% of the total seats at Rs. 2,500 per hour of flight, achieved through financial stimulus, Viability Gap Funding (VGF) and Regional Connectivity Fund (RCF) was created to meet the viability gap funding.

MINISTRY OF DEVELOPMENT OF NORTH EASTERN REGION

1. NORTH EAST SPECIAL INFRASTRUCTURE SCHEME (NESIDS)

Launched in: 2017
Extended till: 2025-26
Type of scheme: Central sector scheme
Aim: To foster infrastructure development, especially connectivity, in identified sectors across the North Eastern States.

Key features: The scheme encompasses two components:

NESIDS-Road and NESIDS-Other Than Road Infrastructure (OTRI).

2. PRIME MINISTER’S DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE FOR NORTH EASTERN REGION (PM-DevINE)

Launched in: 2022
Extended till: 2025-26
Type of scheme: Central sector scheme
Aim: For the rapid and comprehensive development of the northeast region by funding infrastructure and social development projects, based on felt needs of the States.

Key features:

Establishment of Empowered Inter-Ministerial Committee (EIMC) to oversee various functions within PMDevINE and chaired by the Secretary of the MDoNER.
Fund infrastructure convergently, in the spirit of PM GatiShakti.
Support social development projects based on felt needs of the NER.
Enable livelihood activities for youth and women.
Fill the development gaps in various sectors.

MINISTRY OF EARTH SCIENCES

1. PROMOTING RESEARCH IN EARTH SYSTEMS SCIENCE, TECHNOLOGY, & HUMAN RESOURCE DEVELOPMENT (PRITHvi VIGYAN)

Type of scheme: Central sector scheme
Aim: To enhance the understanding of the Earth and its vital signs.

Scheme subsumed:

Atmosphere & Climate Research-Modelling Observing Systems & Services (ACROSS): It addresses different aspects of weather and climate services, which includes warnings for cyclone, storm surges, heat waves, thunderstorms etc.
Ocean Services, Modelling Application, Resources and Technology (O-SMART): For promoting ocean research and setting up early warning weather systems.
Polar Science and Cryosphere Research (PACER): To improve the understanding of Polar Science and cryosphere systems.
Seismology and Geosciences (SAGE): To strengthen earthquake monitoring and research on the Earth’s solid components
Research, Education, Training and Outreach (REACHOUT): To fosters talent development and ensures effective translation of research into services directly benefiting society

Key features :

It aimed at the augmentation and sustenance of long-term observations of the atmosphere, ocean, geosphere, cryosphere, and solid earth to record the vital signs of the Earth System and change.
It is also intended for the development of modelling systems for understanding and predicting weather, ocean, and climate hazards and understanding the science of climate change.
Exploration polar and high seas regions of the Earth towards discovery of new phenomena and resources.
Development of technology for exploration and sustainable harnessing of oceanic resources for societal applications. Translation of knowledge and insights from Earth systems science into services for societal, environmental and economic benefit.

MINISTRY OF Chapter ENVIRONMENT & FORESTS

1. MANGROVE INITIATIVE FOR SHORELINE HABITATS & TANGIBLE INCOMES (MISHTI) SCHEME

Aim: To enhance mangrove coverage along coastlines and saltpan lands to improve ecological health, protect against natural disasters, and support local livelihoods.

Key features:

The programme will operate through convergence between MGNREGS, CAMPA Fund and other sources.
Provides financial assistance to states and local communities for mangrove plantation and rehabilitation.
Promotes the use of sustainable mangrove management practices. o Supports research on mangrove ecology and conservation.

2. AMRIT DHAROHAR SCHEME

Implementing agency: In convergence with various Central Government ministries and agencies, State Wetland Authorities and a network of formal and informal institutions.
Aim: To encourage optimal use of wetlands, and enhance biodiversity, carbon stock, eco-tourism opportunities and income generation for local communities.
Components of the scheme:
- Species and Habitat Conservation
- Nature Tourism
- Wetlands Livelihoods
- Wetlands Carbon

Key features:

Protecting and promoting unique conservation and cultural heritage values.
Creating nature tourism opportunities and income generation for local communities
Encouraging optimal use while ensuring maintenance of wetland ecological character
Safeguarding and enhancing biological diversity and carbon stock
Enabling integrated management to ensure sustained provision of full range of ecosystem services

3. MERI LiFE (MY LIFE) APP

Aim: To showcase the power of citizens, especially young people, in saving the environment by emphasizing the impact of simple actions in daily lives.

Key features:

It is intended to catalyse a national movement for Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) by establishing a systematic method for monitoring the advancements made in Mission LiFE.
It motivates individuals to engage in a set of LiFE-focused activities across five categories: Conserving Energy, Preserving Water, Minimizing Single-Use Plastics, Embracing Sustainable Food Practices, and Cultivating Healthy Lifestyles.

MINISTRY OF EDUCATION

1. PRADHAN MANTRI SCHOOLS FOR RISING INDIA (PM-SHRI) SCHEME

Type of scheme: Centrally sponsored scheme.
Aim: To strengthen select existing (14500) schools to provide high-quality education in an equitable, inclusive and joyful school environment.
Implemented: Through the existing administrative structure available for Samagra Shiksha, KVS & NVS.

Key features:

The schools under the scheme are to be developed as ‘Green School’, that will incorporate environment friendly aspects like Solar panels and LED lights, nutrition gardens with natural farming, water conservation and harvesting, climate change related hackathon etc.
The schools will adopt pedagogy that will be more experiential, holistic, inquiry-driven, discoveryoriented, and learner-centred.
The scheme aims to provide linkage with the sector skill councils and local industry to enhance employability and to provide better employment opportunities.
To evaluate the schools at regular intervals, ‘A School Quality Assessment Framework (SQAF)’, will be developed, which will specify performance indicators.
Under RTE Act, beneficiary-oriented entitlements will be provided.
100% of PM-SHRI schools will receive Science and Math kits. o Focus will also be on early childhood care and education, that will also include Balvatika and Foundational Literacy and Numeracy.
Local languages/mother tongue are to be encouraged as medium of instructions and use of technological interventions to help bridge language barriers.
The scheme also envisions to converge with existing schemes/Panchayati Raj Institutions/Urban Local Bodies and community participation for infrastructure upgradation of the school.

2. PRERANA: AN EXPERIENTIAL LEARNING PROGRAM

Aim: To empower students with leadership qualities.
Eligibility: Students of Class IX to XII from any recognised school of the country.

Key features:

It is weekly residential program will host 20 students from different parts of the country on a rotational basis.
Students can register on the portal by providing necessary details.
Applicants can join the School/block-level selection on ‘Prerana Utsav‘ day, through activities aligned with Prerana’s ethos.
Once selected, the 20 participants, consisting of 10 male and 10 female students, are expected to carry the ethos of ‘Prerana’ into their respective communities.
It will take place in a Vernacular School, founded in 1888, located in Vadnagar, Gujarat. PM Modi is an alumnus of this School.
Curricpulum of Prerana School prepared by IIT Gandhi Nagar.
The essence of Prerana lies in its unwavering commitment to integrate the principles of the Indian education system and the philosophy of value-based education, which serves as a fundamental pillar of the National Education Policy (NEP) 2020.
This thematic framework aims to inspire the youth, fostering a deep respect for Bharat’s unity in diversity and embodying the spirit of ‘Vasudhaiva Kutumbakam’ (the world is one family).
This unique program is built upon nine core value-based themes: self-respect and humility, courage and determination, hard work and dedication, compassion and service, diversity and unity, truthfulness and cleanliness, innovation and curiosity, faith and trust, and independence and responsibility.

3. MALAVIYA MISSION

Aim: To improve the quality of teachers’ training, build leadership skills in teachers and help realise the goals of the National Education Policy (NEP).
Organised by: University Grants Commission, in association with the Ministry of Education.

Key features:

It provides tailored training programmes for teachers. This programme will work for the capacity building of faculty members in higher educational institutions.
The capacity building under this Mission will be mapped to the credit framework to ensure career progression pathways for educators.

There are the theme-wise training sessions: The 8 themes includes

Holistic and Multidisciplinary Education,
Indian Knowledge Systems (IKS),
Academic Leadership, Governance and Management,
Higher Education and Society,
Research and Development,
Skill Development,
Student Diversity and Inclusive Education and
Information and Communication Technology.
Human Resource Development Centres to be revamped and known as Madan Mohan Malaviya Teachers Training Centres.

4. PRADHAN MANTRI- UCHCHATAR SHIKSHA ABHIYAN (PMUSHA)

Earlier scheme: RUSA (Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan) Scheme
Type of scheme: Centrally sponsored scheme
Aim: To enhance the quality of state higher education institutions by ensuring they meet established standards and using accreditation for quality assurance.

Key features:

Multidisciplinary Education and Research University (MERU) Transformation: Providing Rs 100 crore support to 35 state universities for multi-disciplinary education and research
To bring about significant changes in State higher education by establishing a supportive state-level structure for planning and monitoring, encouraging autonomy in state universities, and enhancing governance in institutions.
Ensure governance, academic, and examination (and evaluation) reforms in the State higher educational institutions. o Establish backwards and forward linkages with school education.

5.STUDY IN INDIA (SII) PORTAL

Aim: Establishing India as a global hub for education by welcoming students from diverse backgrounds.

Key features:

It is a dedicated platform to provide information about higher education institutions (HEIs) in India and will simplify international students’ academic journey in India.
It will showcase the academic programmes in the HEIs covering undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes as well courses in Indian Knowledge System (IKS) such as Yoga, Ayurveda, classical arts and more.
The portal will have information about the academic facilities, research support and related information available in the institutes.
It will be a one-stop spot for student registration, the visa application process, choosing the desired courses and receiving offer letters from the institute
It will have the provision for students to apply in more than one institute or course of their choice.
It will offer a streamlined and well-organised application process for international students seeking higher education opportunities in India.

6.UNDERSTANDING LIFELONG LEARNING FOR ALL IN SOCIETY (ULLAS) APP

Aim: To revolutionise education and literacy across the nation by fostering a comprehensive learning ecosystem that caters to every individual, bridging gaps in basic literacy and critical life skills.

Key features:

Its focus extends to promoting functional literacy, vocational skills and essential life skills such as financial literacy, legal literacy, digital literacy and empowerment of citizens to participate in nation-building.
The application marks a significant milestone in harnessing the potential of technology to facilitate widespread access to basic literacy.
This user-friendly and interactive app is available both on Android and IOS.
It will serve as a digital gateway for learners to engage in diverse learning resources through the DIKSHA portal of NCERT.
It can be used for registration of learners and volunteers either through self-registration or by surveyors.

7.YUVA SANGAM PORTAL

Aim: To build close ties between the youth of the North East Region and the rest of India under the spirit of Ek Bharat Shreshtha Bharat.

Key features:

More than 20,000 young people will journey across India, experiencing a special chance to learn from different cultures.
This Cultural Exchange Program will let them appreciate India’s rich heritage and diverse landscapes.
Youth aged 18 to 30 will explore various states, learning about their arts, cultures, and languages.

8.EdCIL VIDYANJALI SCHOLARSHIP PROGRAMME

Aim: To ensure access to high-quality learning systems by facilitating a seamless transition from secondary to higher education and extending financial support for the meritorious Navodaya Vidyalaya students who lack means.
Beneficiaries: In its initial phase will be students of grades XI and XII studying in Navodaya Vidyalaya’s across the country.

Key features of the programme:

The programme, in alignment with the National Education Policy 2020, is a powerful force aimed at revolutionizing opportunities for quality education and access to higher education institutions.
It intends to garner assistance and funding from non-government partners and private sources such as CSR grants, national and international donors, and impact investors.
Five significant MoUs were exchanged between CSR sponsors/impact founders including Fiat India, HDFC Bank Limited, ClearMedi Healthcare, Bharat Forge, and Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation showcasing the collaboration between the government and private sector towards a shared vision of nation-building and empowering the future workforce of this country.

9.NIPUN Bharat Programme

This scheme aims for ensuring that every child in the country necessarily attains foundational literacy.
It has been launched under the aegis of the centrally sponsored scheme of Samagra Shiksha.
It would cover the learning needs of children in the age group of 3 to 9 years.
The unique feature is that the goals of the Mission are set in the form of Lakshya Soochi or Targets for Foundational Literacy and Numeracy.
The Lakshyas are based on the learning outcomes developed by the NCERT and international research and ORF studies.

Envisaged outcomes

Foundational skills enable to keep children in class thereby reducing the dropouts and improve transition rate from primary to upper primary and secondary stages.
Activity-based learning and a conducive learning environment will improve the quality of education.
Innovative pedagogies such as toy-based and experiential learning will be used in classroom transactions thereby making learning a joyful and engaging activity.
Intensive capacity building of teachers
Since almost every child attends early grades, therefore, focus at that stage will also benefit the socio-economic disadvantageous group thus ensuring access to equitable and inclusive quality education.

MINISTRY OF ELECTRONICS AND INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY

1. ELECTRONICS REPAIR SERVICES OUTSOURCING (ERSO) INITIATIVE

Aim: To establish India as the Repair Capital of the World.

Key features:

Promoting India as a hub for repairing electronic goods and to assess the feasibility and potential of capturing 20% of the global repair service market within five years.
This initiative aligns with Mission LiFE, which is dedicated to promoting global environmental sustainability.
By facilitating affordable and dependable repair services for ICT products, the ERSO initiative aims to extend the lifespan of devices worldwide.

2. IndiaAI MISSION

Aim: To ensure a structured implementation of the IndiaAI Mission through a public-private partnership model aimed at nurturing India’s AI innovation ecosystem.
Implemented by: ‘IndiaAI’ Independent Business Division (IBD) under Digital India Corporation (DIC).

Components of the Mission:

IndiaAI Compute Capacity: It aims to develop AI compute infrastructure of 10,000 or more Graphics Processing Units (GPUs) through public-private partnership. Further, an AI marketplace will be designed to offer AI as a service and pre-trained models to AI innovators.
IndiaAI Innovation Centre: It will undertake the development and deployment of indigenous Large Multimodal Models and domain-specific foundational models in critical sectors.
IndiaAI Datasets Platform: It will provide a one-stop solution for seamless access to non-personal datasets to Indian Startups and Researchers.
IndiaAI Application Development Initiative: It will promote the AI applications in critical sectors for the problem sourced from Central Ministries, State Departments, and other institutions, and then focus on developing/scaling/promoting adoption of impactful AI solutions for large scale socio-economic transformation.
IndiaAI Future Skills: IndiaAI Future Skills will mitigate barriers to entry into AI programs and will increase AI courses in undergraduate, masters-level, and Ph.D. programs. Further, Data and AI Labs will be set-up in Tier 2 and Tier 3 cities across India to impart foundational level courses.
IndiaAI Start-up Financing: It will streamline access to funding to deep-tech AI start-ups to enable futuristic AI Projects.
Safe & Trusted AI: It will enable the implementation of Responsible AI projects including the development of indigenous tools and frameworks, self-assessment checklists for innovators, and other guidelines and governance frameworks.

3. BhashaNet PORTAL

Launched by: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) and National Internet Exchange of India (NIXI)
Aim: To connect with users in their own languages

Key features:

It is working towards enabling people from remote locations and different socioeconomic backgrounds to access the multilingual Internet in India.
Provide a truly multilingual internet, where local language website name and local language email id, work everywhere seamlessly.
Encouraging use of local language website name and email id.
Promoting awareness of local language url and email id.
Developing policies and regulations.
Supporting technical collaboration.
Engagement of Website owners, Web-Developer Community, Web Security experts.

MINISTRY OF FISHERIES, ANIMAL HUSBANDRY & DAIRYING

1. PRADHAN MANTRI MATSYA KISAN SAMRIDHI SAHYOJANA

Under: Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada
Beneficiaries: Fishers, Fish Farmers, Fish workers, Fish Vendors or such other person directly engaged in fisheries value chain.
Funding: Total outlay- Rs.6,000 crore in which Rs.3,000 crore will be provided by public finance including the World Bank and the AFD external financing, and rest 50% will be provided by private sector/beneficiaries.
Aim: To formalise of the fisheries sector and enhanced access to institutional credit to micro-enterprises and fisheries cooperatives.

Key features:

It will be implemented as a Central Sector Sub-scheme under the Central Sector Component of the PMMSY.
To create a National Fisheries Digital Platform (NFDP) to provide 40 lakh small and micro-enterprises work based identities.
Gradual shift from conventional subsidies to performance based incentives in fisheries.
Supporting targeted MSEs to focus on improving value chain efficiency and quality control.
Enhance export competitiveness through value addition, realisation and creation.
Create 1.7 lakh new jobs, with a special emphasis on employing 75,000 women and also aims to generate 5.4 lakh continued employment opportunities in the MSEs value chain.

2. NOC APPROVAL FOR NEW DRUG AND INOCULATION SYSTEM PORTAL (NANDI PORTAL)

Developed by: Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD)
Aim: To allow new veterinary drugs and vaccines to be approved and granted no-objection certificates (NOCs) through online mode.

Key features:

The portal will also be integrated with the SUGAM portal of the Central Drugs Standard Control Organization(CDSCO) to make the approval process more streamlined.
The permission for veterinary drugs is granted only after consultation with the Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry, and Dairying.
Earlier, this system was manual.
Now, with the launch of Nandi portal, grants can be provided online.

3. ANIMAL PANDEMIC PREPAREDNESS INITIATIVE

Aim: To enhance India’s preparedness and response to animal pandemics, with a focus on zoonotic diseases that pose a threat to both animal and human health.

Key features:

This initiative will help to improve veterinary services and infrastructure, disease surveillance capabilities, early detection and response, build the capacity of animal health professionals, and awareness among farmers through community outreach.
It covers all aspects of disease prevention, control and pandemic preparedness comprehensively.
The key elements include Integrated disease surveillance & monitoring, early warning & response, Vaccine/ diagnostics, R&D and production, and ecosystem coordination with funding and regulatory framework enablers.

4. ANIMAL HEALTH SYSTEM SUPPORT FOR ONE HEALTH (AHHSOH) PROJECT

Type of scheme: Central sector scheme.
Launched by: It is a collaborative project between the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying and the World Bank.
Aim: To create an ecosystem for a better animal health management system using the One Health approach.

Key features:

The project will be implemented in five states.

The project calls for participation by the Human Health, Forest and Environment Department at the national, regional as well as local for creating and strengthening the One Health architecture including community engagement.

5.ADDITIONAL ACTIVITIES INCLUDED IN NATIONAL LIVESTOCK MISSION (NLM)

Entrepreneurship Support for Equines & Camels:

50% capital subsidy (up to ₹50 lakhs) for entrepreneurs
₹10 crore central funding for breeding infrastructure
Support for breed conservation

Fodder Infrastructure Development:

50% capital subsidy for processing/storage facilities
Support for construction and machinery
Remaining cost through bank finance/self-funding

Expanded Fodder Cultivation:

Assistance to states for cultivation in non-forest wastelands
Integration of forest land for fodder production
Focus on increasing national fodder availability

Simplified Livestock Insurance:

Reduced premium share for beneficiaries to 15%
Center-state premium sharing ratio: 60:40 (general states), 90:10 (Himalayan)
Increased insurance coverage from 5 to 10 cattle units

ABOUT NATIONAL LIVESTOCK MISSION

National Livestock Mission was launched in 2014-15 aims towards employment generation, entrepreneurship development, increase in per animal productivity and thus targeting increased production of meat, goat, milk, egg and wool.
Nodal Ministry: Department of Animal Husbandry & Dairying under Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying.

Funding Mechanism: Consists of both Centrally Sponsored and Central Sector components.

OBJECTIVES

Employment generation through entrepreneurship development in small ruminant, poultry and piggery & fodder sector.
Increase of per animal productivity through breed improvement
Increase in production of meat, egg, goat milk, wool and fodder.
Increasing availability of fodder and feed through strengthening the fodder and supply chain and availability of certified fodder seeds.
Encouraging establishment of fodder processing units to reduce demand supply gap
Promoting risk management measures including livestock insurance for farmers.
Promoting applied research in prioritised areas of poultry, sheep, goat, feed and fodder.
Capacity building of state functionaries and livestock owners through strengthened extension machinery
Promoting skill based training and dissemination of technologies for reducing cost of production and improving production of livestock.

COMPONENTS UNDER THE SCHEME

Sub-Mission I: Livestock & Poultry Breed Improvement

Focuses on breed development for rural poultry, sheep, goat, and pigs
Establishes semen banks and artificial insemination centers
Supports import of exotic germplasm
Promotes entrepreneurship in piggery

Sub-Mission II: Feed & Fodder Development

Incentivizes fodder seed production (breeder, foundation, certified seeds)
Provides tiered subsidies: up to ₹250/kg for breeder, ₹150/kg for foundation, ₹100/kg for certified seeds
Supports entrepreneurship in feed and fodder sector
Promotes local fodder production and technology demonstrations

Sub-Mission III: Innovation & Extension

Provides 100% central assistance for R&D in livestock sector through ICAR and other institutions
Supports extension activities through training, seminars, and capacity building
Focuses on awareness creation among stakeholders
Promotes formation of livestock farmers groups and breeders associations

MINISTRY OF HEALTH & FAMILY WELFARE

1. AYUSHMAN BHARAT

Launched in: 2018
Type of scheme: Centrally sponsored SCHEME
Aim: To make healthcare services more accessible and affordable to citizens and aid the country in achieving its target of universal health coverage (UHC) by 2030.
Targets: Over 10 crore families (approximately 50 crore beneficiaries) based on SECC (Socio-Economic Caste Census)
Implementing Agency: National Health Authority (NHA)

Components:

Health and wellness Centres (HWC) or Ayushman Arogya Mandir: Creation of 1,50,000 HWCs by transforming the existing Sub Centres and Primary Health Centres. These centres are to deliver Comprehensive Primary Health Care (CPHC) bringing healthcare closer to the homes of people. They cover both, maternal and child health services and non-communicable diseases, including free essential drugs and diagnostic services.
Yojana (RSBY) and the Senior Citizen Health Insurance Scheme (SCHIS).

Key features:

It is an entitlement-based scheme that targets the beneficiaries as identified by latest Socio-Economic Caste Census (SECC) data.
It offers a sum insured of Rs.5 lakh per family for secondary care and tertiary care hospitalisation to the bottom 40 per cent of the population of India.
Health Benefit Packages covers surgery, medical and day care treatments, cost of medicines and diagnostics.
The Ayushman Card is like a pre-paid card worth Rs 5 lakh, which can be used to avail free treatment at more than 27,000 empanelled hospitals.
Every hospital must provide Pradhan Mantri Arogya Mitras (PMAMs) to assist beneficiaries.
The National Health Authority (NHA) has been constituted as an autonomous entity under the Society Registration Act, 1860 for effective implementation of PM-JAY in alliance with state governments.
The State Health Agency (SHA) is the apex body of the State Government responsible for the implementation of AB PM-JAY in the State.

3. AYUSHMAN BHARAT DIGITAL HEALTH MISSION

Aim: To create a national digital health ecosystem that supports universal health coverage in an efficient, accessible, inclusive, affordable, timely and safe manner leveraging digital technologies.
Implemented by: National Health Authority

Component:

Ayushman Bharat Health Account-ABHA number: A 14-digit unique id created using personal details like Name, mobile and Aadhar. It captures details of all health-related records such as laboratory test results, visits to doctors, illness, surgeries etc. Having an ABHA health ID card is not mandatory.
Healthcare professional registry: Database of all medical professionals in both traditional and modern medicines and a unique id for all the doctors, nurses, ASHA workers etc.
Health facilities registry: Database of all healthcare facilities such as hospitals, clinics, diagnostic labs, pharmacies etc.

4. PRADHAN MANTRI-AYUSHMAN BHARAT HEALTH INFRASTRUCTURE MISSION (PM-ABHIM)

Launched in: 2021
Type of scheme: Centrally Sponsored with some Central Sector components
Earlier scheme: PM Atmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana
Aim: To strengthen grass root public health institutions, Developing IT enabled surveillance system and Supporting research on infectious diseases.
Extended till: 2026

Key features:

It is the largest pan-India Health Infrastructure Scheme which has been framed with a health ‘saturation approach’ at Block, District, State and National Levels.

5. TELE MENTAL HEALTH ASSISTANCE AND NETWORKING ACROSS STATES (TELE-MANAS) ABOUT TELE MANAS SEVA

Launched in: Budget 2022-23
Coordinating Centre: National Institute of Mental Health and Neuro-Sciences (NIMHANS).
Objective: To provide free tele-mental health services all over the country round the clock, particularly catering to people in remote or under-served areas & to open at least one Tele-MANAS Cell in each State/UT.

Key features:

A toll-free, 24/7 helpline number (14416) has been set up across the country allowing callers to select the language (till now 20 languages) of choice for availing services. o Provides basic support and counselling through centralised Interactive Voice Response system (IVRS) is being customised for use across all states and UTs.
Will be organised in two tier systems:
Tier 1 comprises state Tele-MANAS cells which include trained counsellors and mental health specialists.
Tier 2 will comprise specialists at District Mental Health Programme (DMHP)/Medical College resources for physical consultation and/or e-Sanjeevani for audio visual consultation.
Specialised care is being envisioned through the programme by linking Tele-MANAS with other services like National tele-consultation service, e-Sanjeevani, Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, mental health professionals, Ayushman Bharat health and wellness centres and emergency psychiatric facilities.

6. STIMULATING ADVANCED KNOWLEDGE FOR SUSTAINABLE HEALTH MANAGEMENT (SAKSHAM) LEARNING SYSTEM

Developed by: National Institute of Health & Family Welfare (NIHFW)

Key features:

It is a dedicated and unified platform that offers online training and medical education to all healthcare professionals across the country.
This platform makes sure that healthcare workers from rural and remote areas, starting from primary health centers, all the way up to big hospitals in cities, can access training and education, ensuring that everyone is included.

MINISTRY OF HOME AFFAIRS

VIBRANT VILLAGE PROGRAMME

Type of scheme: Centrally sponsored scheme
Aim: To identify and develop the economic drivers based on local, natural, human and other resources of the border villages on the northern border.

Key features:

The scheme will provide funds for development of essential infrastructure and creation of livelihood opportunities in 4 states and 1 UT: Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Sikkim, and Arunachal Pradesh, and Ladakh along the northern land border of the country which will help in achieving inclusive growth and retaining the population in the border areas.
This will help in encouraging people to stay in their native locations in border areas and reversing the outmigration from these villages adding to improved security of the border.
The scheme will promote social entrepreneurship and empowerment of youth and women through skill development and entrepreneurship through “Hub and Spoke Model”.
Under the ‘one village-One product’ model, the local cultural, traditional knowledge, and heritage will be promoted through community-based organizations, Cooperatives, SHGs, NGOs, and others.
Vibrant Village Action Plans will be created by the district administration with the help of Gram Panchayats.
There will not be overlap with Border Area Development Programme.
It will focus on mobile and internet connectivity, all-weather road, drinking water, and round-the-clock electricity using renewable sources (Solar and Wind energy). It will also focus on the development of tourist centres, multi-purpose centres, and health and wellness Centres.

MINISTRY OF HOUSING & URBAN AFFAIRS

1. PM e-BUS SEWA SCHEME

Aim: To increase the modal share of electric bus (ebus) based public transport in Indian cities.

Key features:

This scheme will support bus operations for 10 years.
States/Cities shall be responsible for running the bus services and making payments to the bus operators.
The Central Government will support these bus operations by providing subsidies to the extent specified in the proposed scheme.
It will cover cities with a population of 300,000 and above and will include all the capital cities of the ‘Union Territories, North Eastern Region, and Hill

Segments of the scheme:

Segment-A:

Augmentation of City Bus Services and Associated Infrastructure Under this segment, the scheme will augment city electric bus operations by extending Central Assistance (CA) for 10,000 electric bus operation on Public Private Partnership (PPP) model, bus depot and behind-the-meter power infrastructure.
Segment-B:
Green Urban Mobility Initiatives (GUMI): Under this segment, the scheme will support implementation of GUMI projects for complementing bus services and demonstrating reduction in Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions in urban areas.
The segment will include support for implementing National Common Mobility Card (NCMC) based Automatic Fare Collection System (AFCS), bus priority infrastructure, etc.

2. JAL DIWALI: WOMEN FOR WATER, WATER FOR WOMEN CAMPAIGN

Launched under: Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) in partnership with the National Urban Livelihood Mission (NULM)
Knowledge partner: Odisha Urban Academy
Aim: To provide a platform for inclusion of women in water governance.

Key features:

Helping women understand how Water Treatment Plants and water testing facilities work.
Encouraging inclusivity and participation by showcasing items made by Women Self-Help Groups.
Teaching women about the AMRUT scheme and how it affects water systems.

3. CITY INVESTMENTS TO INNOVATE, INTEGRATE AND SUSTAIN 2.0 (CITIIS 2.0)

Launched by: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA) in partnership with the French Development Agency (AFD), Kreditanstalt für Wiederaufbau (KfW), the European Union (EU), and National Institute of Urban Affairs (NIUA).
Aim: To promote integrated waste management and climate-oriented reform actions.

Key features:

It is a part of the Smart Cities Mission.
It will consider Smart City Projects in the Sustainable Mobility; Public Open Spaces; Urban E-governance and ICT; Social and Organisational Innovation for Low-Income Settlements.
It support competitively selected projects, promoting circular economy with focus on integrated waste management at the city level, climate-oriented reform actions at the State level, and institutional strengthening and knowledge dissemination at the National level.

Components:

Component 1: Financial and technical support for developing projects focused on building climate resilience, adaptation and mitigation in up to 18 smart cities.
Component 2: The States will be provided support Climate action.
Component 3: Interventions at all three levels; Centre, State and City to further climate governance in urban India.

4. SWACHH BHARAT MISSION (CLEAN INDIA MISSION)

Background: It is a restructured version of the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan launched in 2009.
Launched in: 2nd October 2014
Type of scheme: Centrally sponsored scheme
Objective: To eliminate open defecation and improve solid waste management and to create Open Defecation Free (ODF) villages. Also aims to increase awareness of menstrual health management.

5. PRADHAN MANTRI AWAS YOJANA (URBAN)

Launched in: 2015
Objective: To provide all weather pucca houses to all eligible beneficiaries in the urban areas of the country through States/UTs/Central Nodal Agencies.
Eligible beneficiaries: Economically Weaker Section (EWS)/Low Income Group (LIG), Middle Income Group including the slum dwellers.
Coverage: Covers the entire urban area of the country, i.e., all statutory towns as per Census 2011 and towns notified subsequently, including Notified Planning/ Development Areas.

Components:

Implemented through four verticals:
Beneficiary Led Construction/ Enhancement (BLC):
Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP):
In-situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR):
Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS):

6.PRIME MINISTER STREET VENDOR’S AtmaNirbhar NIDHI (PM SVANidhi)

Type of scheme: Central sector scheme

Key features

It provides handholding support to street vendors to tide over pandemic-induced economic stress.
It facilitates collateral-free loans of ₹10,000, of one-year tenure with subsequent loans of ₹20,000 and ₹50,000 with a 7% interest subsidy
The Scheme has a provision of Graded Guarantee Cover for the loans sanctioned, to be administered by the Credit Guarantee Fund Trust for Micro and Small Enterprises (CGTMSE)
The Town Vending Committee (TVC) plays a very important role in the identification of beneficiaries under this scheme.

MINISTRY OF INFORMATION & BROADCASTING

1.BROADCASTING INFRASTRUCTURE AND NETWORK DEVELOPMENT (BIND) SCHEME

Type of scheme: Central Sector Scheme
Aim: To bring modernisation to the public broadcaster Prasar Bharati (All India Radio) and Doordarshan (DD).

Key features:

Providing financial support to Prasar Bharati for expenses related to expansion and upgradation of its broadcasting infrastructure, content development and civil work related to the organization.
This scheme will enable the public broadcaster to undertake a major upgradation of its facilities with better infrastructure which will widen its reach, including in the LWE, border and strategic areas and provide high quality content to the viewers.
Another major priority area of the scheme is the development of high-quality content for both domestic and international audience and ensuring availability of diverse content to the viewers by upgradation of capacity of DTH platform to accommodate more channels.

MINISTRY OF JAL SHAKTI

1. JAL JEEVAN MISSION: HAR GHAR JAL

Launched in: 2019
Type of scheme: Centrally sponsored scheme.
Subsumed scheme: National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP).
Aim: To make provision of potable water at the service level of 55 litre per capita per day (lpcd) to every rural household through tap water connection, by 2024.
Core theme: No one is left behind.
Implementation: Drinking Water is a state subject, and hence, the responsibility of planning, approval, implementation, operation, and maintenance of drinking water supply schemes, lies with State/UT Governments.

Key features of the scheme:

Based on a community approach to water and will include extensive Information, education and communication.
Every rural household has drinking water supply in adequate quantity of prescribed quality on regular and long-term basis at affordable service delivery charges leading to improvement in living standards of rural communities.
Ensures the functionality of existing water supply systems and water connections, water quality monitoring and testing, as well as sustainable agriculture.

2.GALVANIZING ORGANIC BIO-AGRO RESOURCES DHAN (GOBARdhan)

Launched in: 2018
Coordinating department: Department of Drinking Water and Sanitation.
Part of: Solid and Liquid Waste Management component under the Swachh Bharat Mission (Grameen)
Aim: To keep villages clean, increase the income of rural households, and generate energy and organic manure from cattle waste.

Key features:

GOBARDHAN (Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources – DHAN)

Program Overview: A waste-to-wealth initiative focusing on organic waste conversion and rural entrepreneurship

Key Components:

Implementation Structure:
- Beneficiary identification by Gram Panchayats
- Integration of various ministerial schemes and programs
- Common platform for organic waste management initiatives
Core Objectives:
- Convert organic waste into biogas/CBG/Bio CNG
- Generate manure and energy from waste
- Support rural entrepreneurship
- Promote environmental sanitation
- Control vector-borne diseases
Unified Registration Portal:
- One-stop platform for biogas/CBG plant setup
- Pan-India registration system
- Open to government, cooperative, and private entities
- Centralized documentation and processing
Target Beneficiaries:
- Rural entrepreneurs
- Self Help Groups (SHGs)
- Youth Groups
- Rural communities

Significance:

Promotes cooperative federalism
Creates rural livelihood opportunities
Supports sustainable waste management
Enhances rural sanitation and health

3. PLATFORM FOR REAL-TIME ANALYSIS OF YAMUNA, GANGA AND THEIR TRIBUTARIES (PRAYAG) PLATFORM

Key features:

For planning and monitoring projects and river water quality through various online dashboards.
Monitoring will be done through various online dashboards such as Ganga Tarang Portal, Jajmau Plant through Online Drone Data, PMT Tool Dashboard, Ganga Districts Performance Monitoring System, etc.

MINISTRY OF MICRO, SMALL AND MEDIUM ENTERPRISES

1. PM VISHWAKARMA SCHEME

Launched in: 2023
Type of scheme: Central sector scheme
Implementing agency: Jointly implemented by the MoMSME, the Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship and the Department of Financial Services, Ministry of Finance, Government of India.
Aim: To provide end-to-end support to artisans and craftspeople who work with their hands and tools.

Key features:

The scheme will support artisans in accessing both domestic and global value chains, thereby increasing their market opportunities and to preserve and promote India’s traditional crafts, while also assisting artisans in transitioning to the formal economy and integrating them into global value chains.
This scheme covers artisans and craftspeople engaged in 18 trades, viz.
(i) Carpenter (Suthar/Badhai);
(ii) Boat Maker;
(iii) Armourer;
(iv) Blacksmith (Lohar);
(v) Hammer and Tool Kit Maker;
(vi) Locksmith; (vii) Goldsmith (Sonar);

2. MSME COMPETITIVE (LEAN) SCHEME

Aim: For enhancing the competitiveness of MSME Sectors through implementation of Lean Tools and Techniques.

Coverage and Eligibility:

All MSMEs registered with the UDYAM registration portal (of the MoMSME) will be eligible to participate in MSME Competitive (Lean) Scheme and avail related benefits/incentives.
Scheme is also open to Common Facilities Centres (CFCs) under SFURTI (Scheme of Fund for Regeneration of Traditional Industries) and Micro & Small Enterprises – Cluster Development Program (MSE-CDP) Schemes.
Key features: The objective of the scheme is to enhance the Domestic and Global Competitiveness of MSMEs through the application of various Lean Techniques that inter-alia includes:
Reduction in: Rejection Rates; Product and Raw Material Movements;
Production Cost
Enhancement of: Quality in Product and Process; Production & Export Capabilities; Workplace Safety; Knowledge & Skill Sets; Innovative Work Culture; Social & Environmental Accountability etc.
Scheme Components:
Industry Awareness Programmes/Workshop
Training Programmes: Stakeholders like the MSME Officers, Assessors and Consultants

3.RAISING AND ACCELERATING MSME PRODUCTIVITY (RAMP)

Launched in: 2022
Type of scheme: Central sector scheme
Financed by: World Bank
Aim: To scale up the implementation capacity and coverage of MSMEs in the States, with impact enhancement of existing MSME schemes.

Key features:

It will complement the Atma Nirbhar Bharat Mission by fostering innovation, encouraging ideation, and incubating new business and entrepreneurship by developing quality standards, improving practices and processes, enhancing market access, deploying technological tools, and Industry 4.0 to make MSMEs competitive and self-reliant.
The scheme shall implement regulatory, financial, and implementation reforms as well as firm-level access reforms to provide targeted interventions to MSMEs across recognized challenge areas.

4.Startup India Seed Fund Scheme

Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) has been approved for the period of next four years starting from 2021-22.

Seed Fund Scheme

The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry and commercialization.
945 Crore corpus will be divided over the next 4 years for providing seed funding to eligible startups through eligible incubators across India.
The scheme is expected to support about 3600 startups.

5.PM Formalization of Micro Food Processing Enterprises Scheme

Launched under the Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan, the PM-FME Scheme is a centrally sponsored scheme.

It aims to enhance the competitiveness of existing individual micro-enterprises in the unorganized segment of the food processing industry and promote formalization of the sector.
It seeks to provide support to Farmer Producer Organizations, Self Help Groups, and Producers Cooperatives along their entire value chain.

Under the PM-FME scheme, capacity building is an important component.
The scheme envisages imparting training to food processing entrepreneurs, various groups, viz., SHGs / FPOs / Co-operatives, workers, and other stakeholders associated with the implementation of the scheme.

Features of the scheme

The Scheme adopts One District One Product (ODODP) approach to reap the benefit of scale in terms of procurement of inputs, availing common services and marketing of products.
The States would identify food product for a district keeping in view the existing clusters and availability of raw material.
The ODOP product could be a perishable produce based product or cereal-based products or a food product widely produced in a district and their allied sectors.
An illustrative list of such products includes mango, potato, litchi, tomato, tapioca, kinnu, bhujia, petha, papad, pickle, millet-based products, fisheries, poultry, meat as well as animal feed among others.
The Scheme also place focus on waste to wealth products, minor forest products and Aspirational Districts

6.Viability Gap Funding (VGF) Scheme

Viability Gap Finance means a grant to support projects that are economically justified but not financially viable.
The scheme is designed as a Plan Scheme to be administered by the Ministry of Finance and amount in the budget are made on a year-to-year basis.
Such a grant under VGF is provided as a capital subsidy to attract the private sector players to participate in PPP projects that are otherwise financially unviable.
Projects may not be commercially viable because of the long gestation period and small revenue flows in future.
The VGF scheme was launched in 2004 to support projects that come under Public-Private Partnerships.
Funds for VGF will be provided from the government’s budgetary allocation. Sometimes it is also provided by the statutory authority who owns the project asset.
If the sponsoring Ministry/State Government/ statutory entity aims to provide assistance over and above the stipulated amount under VGF, it will be restricted to a further 20% of the total project cost.

MINISTRY OF MINORITY AFFAIRS

1. MAULANA AZAD NATIONAL FELLOWSHIP

Launched in: 2009
Implementing agency: University Grants Commission (UGC).
Aim: For educational empowerment of students belonging to minority communities. K
Beneficiaries: Six notified minority communities viz. Buddhist, Christian, Jain, Muslim, Parsi and Sikh.
Scope: The Fellowship will cater to the minority community students pursuing regular and full time research studies leading to award of M.Phil/Ph.D degree within India only.
Mode of selection: On the basis of UGC-NET and CSIR-NET merit list.
Fellowship: A monthly fellowship amount of INR 31,000 for initial two years to Junior Research Fellowship (JRF). A fellowship amount of INR 35,000 per month for remaining tenure to Senior Research Fellowship(SRF).
Duration of fellowship: The fellowship is usually provided for a duration of two years for M.Phil. students and five years for Ph.D. students, with certain relaxations available.
Objective: To provide five year fellowships in the form of financial assistance to students from six notified minority communities, notified by the Central Government, to pursue M. Phil and Ph.D.

2.Nai Roshni Scheme

Objective:

Leadership Development of Minority Women
To empower and instil confidence among minority women by providing knowledge, tools and techniques for interacting with Government systems, Banks and other institutions at all levels.

MINISTRY OF NEW & RENEWABLE ENERGY

1. PM SURYA GHAR: MUFT BIJLI YOJANA

Launched in: 2024
Aim: To provide free electricity to households in India.
Beneficiaries:
The household must be an Indian citizen. o The household must own a house with a roof that is suitable for installing solar panels.
The household must have a valid electricity connection.
The household must not have availed any other subsidy for solar panels.

Key features:

Under the scheme, households will be provided with a subsidy to install solar panels on their roofs. o The subsidy will cover up to 40% of the cost of the solar panels.
The households will apply for subsidy through the National Portal and will be able to select a suitable vendor for installing rooftop solar.
The National Portal will assist the households in their decision-making process by providing relevant information such as appropriate system sizes, benefits calculator, vendor rating etc.
Households will be able to access collateral-free low-interest loan products of around 7% at present for installation of residential Rooftop Solar (RTS) systems up to 3 kW.
A Model Solar Village will be developed in each district of the country to act as a role model for adoption of rooftop solar in rural areas.
Urban Local Bodies and Panchayati Raj Institutions shall also benefit from incentives for promoting RTS installations in their areas.
The scheme is expected to benefit 1 crore households across India.

2. PRADHAN MANTRI KISAN URJA SURAKSHA EVAM UTTHAN MAHABHIYAN SCHEME FOR FARMERS (PM KUSUM)

Launched in: 2019
Aim: To make cutting-edge technology available to our farmers and provide sources for de-dieselized irrigation to the agricultural sector.
Beneficiaries: An individual farmer, group of farmers, FPO or Farmer producer organization, Panchayat, Cooperatives and Water User Associations.

Key features:

Each farmer will receive a 60% subsidy to set up tube wells and pump sets. They will also get 30% of the total cost as a loan from the Government.
The solar pumps assist our farmers in much more effective and eco-friendly irrigation as these are capable of generating safer energy.
In addition, the pump sets comprise an energy power grid that generates more energy than diesel-driven pumps. Farmers will be able to sell the extra power to our Government directly to enhance their income.

MINISTRY OF RURAL DEVELOPMENT

1. LAKHPATI DIDI SCHEME

Launched in: 2023
Aim: To catalyze economic empowerment and financial independence among women in rural areas.
Criteria for identifying potential lakhpati Didi:
A Self Help Group member who has completed a minimum of two years and has availed of the Community Investment Fund (CIF).
A beneficiary of livelihood intervention through DAY-NRLM the and practising at least two livelihood activities.

Key features:

A Lakhpati Didi is a Self-Help Group Member.
The government aims to train 3 crore women to become influencers both at home and in their communities.
The objective is to shift the focus from social and financial inclusion to entrepreneurial success.
The programme is aimed at training women in self-help groups (SHGs) to earn a sustainable income of at least Rs 1 lakh per annum per household.
Women will be trained in various skills and after completing the training, women will be provided with opportunities to earn income using their skills.
It facilitates diversified livelihood activities, by ensuring convergence across all Government departments/ Ministries, Private sector and Market players.

Subset of the programme:

Drone Didi: Under this scheme, drones will be provided to approximately 15,000 women SHGs for agricultural activities. Drones have the potential to revolutionize agriculture by enabling precision farming, crop monitoring, and pest control. o Skill training: Women under this scheme receive training in diverse skills such as LED bulb making, plumbing, and more.

2.MAHATMA GANDHI NATIONAL RURAL EMPLOYMENT GUARANTEE ACT

Introduced in: 2005.
Aim: For improving the purchasing power of the people living in rural areas. Primarily semi or unskilled work was given to people living below the poverty line in rural India. Also aims to guarantee the ‘right to work’ (Article 41).
Mandate: To provide at least 100 days of guaranteed employment in a financial year to every rural household whose adult members volunteer to do unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage.

Key features of the act:

It is a demand-driven wage employment programme and resource transfer from the Centre to the states is based on the demand for employment in each state.
Adult members of rural households submit their name, age and address with a photo to the Gram Panchayat, for job card.
The registered person can submit an application for work in writing (for at least fourteen days of continuous work) either to Panchayat or to Programme Officer.
If work is not provided within 15 days of applying, applicants are entitled to an unemployment allowance.

3. DEEN DAYAL UPADHYAYA ANTYODAYA YOJANA- NATIONAL RURAL LIVELIHOODS MISSION (DAY-NRLM)

Launched in: 2011
Type of scheme: Centrally Sponsored scheme
Aim: Reducing poverty by organizing impoverished rural households into Self-Help Groups (SHGs).
Restructured version: Swarna Jayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojna (SGSY)

Key features of the scheme:

Social mobilisation and promotion and strengthening of self-managed and financially sustainable community institutions of the rural poor women, at least one woman member from each identified rural poor household, is to be brought under the Self Help Group (SHG) network in a time bound manner.
It addresses financial inclusion from the supply and the demand sides, as the demand side, helps the underprivileged become more financially literate and gives the SHGs and their federations access to catalytic money and In terms of supply, promote the use of financial technologies based on information, communication, and technology (ICT).
Beneficiaries identified by Participatory Identification of Poor (PIP) method instead of the BPL.
Community Investment Funds (CIF) and Revolving Funds (RF) as resources in perpetuity to the institutions of the poor.
Encourages public sector banks to set up Rural Self Employment Training Institutes (RSETIs) in all districts.

4.PRADHAN MANTRI AWAAS YOJANA-GRAMIN

Background: Indira Awaas yojana (IAY) has been restructured into PMAY-G.
Launched in: 2016.
Type of scheme: Centrally Sponsored Scheme.
Aim: To ensure the provision of pucca housing for all individuals who are homeless or living in dilapidated houses in rural areas except Delhi and Chandigarh by 2024, instead of the previous goal of 2022.
Target: Construction of 2.95 crore houses by March 2024.
Eligible Beneficiaries: All the houseless households living in zero, one, or two-room houses with kutcha walls and kutcha roofs. Criteria for Automatic/Compulsory Inclusion:
- Households without shelter
- Destitute/ living on alms
- Manual scavengers
- Primitive Tribal Groups
- Legally released bonded labourer.
Selection of Beneficiaries: Through a three stage validation – Socio Economic Caste Census 2011, Gram Sabha, and geo-tagging.

Benefits:

Financial Assistance of ₹ 1,20,000 per unit for plain areas, and ₹ 1,30,000 per unit for hilly areas, difficult areas, and Integrated Action Plan districts.
Can avail of institutional finance (loan) of up to ₹ 70,000 at 3% lower interest rate.
The minimum size of the house shall be is 25 sq m including a dedicated area for hygienic cooking. o In convergence with Swachh Bharat Mission-Gramin (SBM-G), get financial assistance of up to ₹ 12,000 for the construction of toilets.
In convergence with MGNREGA, the beneficiary is entitled to employment as unskilled labour at ₹ 90.95 per day for 95 days.
In convergence with Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana, one LPG connection per house is provided.
Payments are made electronically directly to bank accounts or post office accounts that are linked to Aadhaar.

MINISTRY OF SCIENCE & TECHNOLOGY

1. NATIONAL QUANTUM MISSION (NQM)

Aim: To seed, nurture and scale up scientific and industrial R&D and create a vibrant & innovative ecosystem in Quantum Technology (QT).

Key features:

It will accelerate QT led economic growth, nurture the ecosystem in the country and make India one of the leading nations in the development of Quantum Technologies & Applications (QTA).
Develop intermediate-scale quantum computers with 50-1000 physical qubits in 8 years in various platforms like superconducting and photonic technology.
Satellite-based secure quantum communications between ground stations over a range of 2000 kilometers within India, long-distance secure quantum communications with other countries, inter-city quantum key distribution over 2000 km as well as multi-node Quantum networks with quantum memories are also some of the deliverables of the Mission.
Will focus on developing magnetometers with high sensitivity in atomic systems and Atomic Clocks for precision timing, communications, and navigation.
Mission Implementation includes setting up of four Thematic Hubs (T-Hubs) in top academic and National R&D institutes in the domains
The hubs which will focus on generation of new knowledge through basic and applied research as well as promote R&D in areas that are mandated to them.

2.VAISHVIKBHARATIYA VAIGYANIK(VAIBHAV)FELLOWSHIP

Implementing agency: Department of Science and Technology (DST)
Collaboration between: Scientists of the Indian Diaspora with Indian Higher Educational Institutions (HEIs), Universities and/or Public Funded Scientific Institutions
Aim: To connect the Indian Science, technology, engineering, mathematics and medicine (STEMM) diaspora with academic and R&D institutions in India for collaborative research.

Key features:

The fellowship would identify an Indian Institution for collaboration and may spend up to two months in a year for a maximum of 3 years.
The selected fellows would be invited to work in 18 identified knowledge verticals including quantum technology, health, pharma, electronics, agriculture, energy, computer sciences, and material sciences amongst others.
Fellowship in ₹4,00,000/- roughly (equivalent to USD 5000 per month), for a minimum of 1 month and a maximum of up to 2 months per year for a period of a maximum of 3 years.
Total eligible grant will be released to the Indian host Institute and these institutes will be providing a Fellowship amount to the VAIBHAV Fellow and extend other support.
The financial support (up to ₹5 Lakhs per year for 3 years) will be given to the host institution to facilitate the VAIBHAV fellow for research work
75 VAIBHAV fellowships would be awarded to outstanding scientists/technologists of Indian origin (NRI/OCI/PIO) , that engaged in research activities in their respective countries.

MINISTRY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE & EMPOWERMENT

1. PM YOUNG ACHIEVERS’ SCHOLARSHIP AWARD SCHEME FOR A VIBRANT INDIA (PM YASASVI)

Type of scheme: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
Aim: To award scholarships to eligible candidates belonging to Other Backward Class (OBC), Economically Backward Class (EBC), and De-Notified, Nomadic & Semi Nomadic Tribes(DNT/SNT) categories.
Scholarships: Ranging from Rs 75,000 to Rs 1,25,000.
Eligibility: Income from all sourcems does not exceed Rs.2,50,000/- per annum. Students can avail Pre-Matric Scholarship from Class 9 to 10 and Post Matric Scholarship for their higher studies at post-matriculation or postsecondary stage.
Benefits: Under this Scheme Students who excel in their studies also get an opportunity of Scholarship to study in Top Class Schools and Colleges. Hostel facilities are also provided to OBC students.
Selection Procedure: Through a written test called YASASVI ENTRANCE TEST conducted by the National Testing Agency.

Components of the scheme:

Pre-Matric Scholarship: For students studying in class IX and X on a full-time basis in Government Schools only.
Post-MatricScholarship: Scholarship is awarded to students studying at post-matriculation or postsecondary stage to enable them to complete their education.
Top Class School Education: The scheme provides premium education to the meritorious students belonging to OBC, EBC and DNT categories by funding their education from Class 9 onwards till they complete Class 12.
Top Class College Education: To recognize and promote quality education amongst Students belonging to OBC, EBC and DNT categories by providing full financial support.
Construction of Hostel for OBC Boys and Girls: To provide hostel facilities to students belonging to socially and educationally backward classes, especially from rural areas to enable them to pursue secondary and higher education in the Govt. schools, universities, institutions and institutes.

2.PRADHAN MANTRI ANUSUCHIT JAATI ABHYUDAY YOJANA (PM-AJAY)

Aim: To enhance socio-economic development indicators by providing necessary infrastructure and essential services in villages dominated by Scheduled Castes (SC).
Schemes merged:
3 Centrally Sponsored Scheme namely:
Pradhan Mantri Adarsh Gram Yojana (PMAGY)
Special Central Assistance to Scheduled Castes Sub Plan (SCA to SCSP) &
Babu Jagjivan Ram Chhatrawas Yojana (BJRCY) .
Components of the scheme:
Development of SC dominated villages into an Adarsh Gram: To ensure integrated development of SC majority villages so that they have adequate infrastructure.

3.NATIONAL ACTION FOR MECHANISED SANITATION ECOSYSTEM (NAMASTE) SCHEME

Type of scheme: Central sector scheme
Joint initiative: Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment (MoSJE) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA).
Aim: To eradicate unsafe sewer and septic tank cleaning practices.

Key features:

It envisages identifying the Sewer/Septic Tank Workers (SSWs).
Occupational Training and distribution of PPE Kits to SSWs.
Assistance for Safety Devices to Sanitation Response Units (SRUs).
Extending Health Insurance Scheme Benefits to identified SSWs and their families under the Ayushman Bharat- Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY).
The Action Plan will promote mechanization and enterprise development by providing funding support and subsidy (capital +interest) to the sanitation workers, to procure sanitation related equipments. o Massive campaigns would be undertaken jointly by the ULBs & NSKFDC to spread awareness about the interventions of NAMASTE.

4. ATAL VAYO ABHYUDAY YOJANA (AVYAY)

Implementing agency: Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.
Aim: To take care of various needs of Senior Citizens including shelter, food, healthcare and human interaction / life of dignity.

Components:

Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC)
State Action Plan for Senior Citizens (SAPSrC)
Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana (RVY)
Elderline – National Helpline for Senior Citizens
Senior-care Ageing Growth Engine (SAGE)
Geriatric Caregivers Training
Integrated Programme for Senior Citizens (IPSrC): Under which grant in aid is provided to NonGovernmental/ Voluntary Organizations for running and maintenance of Senior Citizens’ Homes

5.Midday meal scheme

Context -The Centre has decided to give about ₹100 each to children studying in Class 1 to Class 8 in government schools, who are beneficiaries of the Mid Day Meal scheme.

The Midday Meal Scheme is a school meal programme in India designed to better the nutritional standing of school-age children nationwide.
It is a wholesome freshly-cooked lunch served to children in government and government-aided schools in India.
The programme supplies free lunches on working days for children in primary and upper primary classes in government, government-aided, local body and alternate innovative education centres, Madarsa and Maqtabs.
Serving 120,000,000 children in over 1,265,000 schools and Education Guarantee Scheme centres, it is the largest of its kind in the world.
The programme has undergone many changes since its launch in 1995. The Midday Meal Scheme is covered by the National Food Security Act, 2013.

Schemes aims to

avoid classroom hunger
increase school enrolment
increase school attendance
improve socialization among castes
address malnutrition
empower women through employment

6.National pension scheme

Context– The National Pension System (NPS) will no longer compel investors to convert 40% of their accumulated retirement corpus into an annuity.

NPS is a government-sponsored pension scheme. It was launched in January 2004 for government employees.
It was extended to all citizens of Indian on a voluntary basis from May 2009 and to corporates in December 2011 and to Non-Resident Indians in October 2015.
PFRDA is the statutory authority established by an enactment of the Parliament, to regulate, promote and ensure orderly growth of the NPS and pension schemes to which this Act applies.
The scheme allows subscribers to contribute regularly in a pension account during their working life.
On retirement, subscribers can withdraw a part of the corpus in a lump sum and use the remaining corpus to buy an annuity to secure a regular income after retirement.

Who can join NPS?

Any Indian citizen between 18 and 60 years can join NPS.
The only condition is that the person must comply with know your customer (KYC) norms.
An NRI can join NPS. However, the account will be closed if there is a change in the citizenship status of the NRI.
Now, any Indian citizen, resident or non-resident and OCIs are eligible to join NPS till the age of 65 years.

7.National Creche scheme

The Ministry of WCD implements the NCS for the children of working mothers as a Centrally Sponsored Scheme

It aims to provide daycare facilities to children (age group of 6 months to 6 years) of working mothers.
The Scheme provides an integrated package of the following services:
Daycare facilities including sleeping facilities.
Early stimulation for children below 3 years and pre-school education for 3 to 6 years old children

MINISTRY OF TOURISM

1.THE NATIONAL MISSION ON PILGRIMAGE REJUVENATION AND SPIRITUAL AUGMENTATION DRIVE (PRASAD)

Launched in: 2014-15
Type of scheme: Central sector scheme
Aim: To promote local culture and arts

Key features

The HRIDAY scheme of Ministry of Housing and Urban Development was discontinued and the program of Heritage development was included in the PRASAD scheme in 2017.
Promote pro-poor concept of tourism to make pilgrimage affordable for all.
The scheme also focuses on the beautification of cities identified under the HRIDAY scheme.
Development of world-class infrastructure in religious places, which would in turn generate employment opportunities for local populations
For improved sustainability of the projects, the channel of Corporate Social Responsibility and Public-Private partnership is to be utilised as well.

2. HANDLOOM MARK SCHEME

Launched in: 2006
Aim: To provide a collective identity to the handloom products in India and can be used not only for popularizing the hand woven products but can also serve as a guarantee for the buyer that the product being purchased is genuinely hand woven from India.

Key features:

Branding of high-quality handloom products with zero defects and zero effect on the environment to encourage and give a distinct identity to the products, apart from highlighting the sustainability and uniqueness of the products.
The Mark is also a symbol of social cause to promote the livelihood, welfare, and growth of more than 6.5 million weavers.
It also serves a guarantee for the buyer that the product being purchased is genuinely handwoven.

3. ADOPT A HERITAGE 2.0 PROGRAMME

Aim: To ensure the preservation of this rich cultural heritage, these heritage sites require periodic improvements in their amenities.

Key features:

The Archaeological Survey of India (ASI) is responsible for safeguarding 3696 monuments located across the nation.
Under this program, ASI invites corporate entities to use their CSR (Corporate Social Responsibility) funds to enhance the amenities at these monuments. This initiative is an updated version of a scheme initially launched in 2017.
The scheme clearly outlines the specific amenities required for various monuments in accordance with the Ancient Monuments and Archaeological Sites and Remains (AMASR) Act of 1958.

4. ADOPT A HERITAGE SCHEME, ‘APNI DHAROHAR, APNI PEHCHAAN’

Launched in: 2017
Collaborative effort: Between the Ministry of Tourism, Ministry of Culture ASI, and State/UTs governments.
Aim: To elevate the tourism experience for all travellers by enhancing the accessibility and tourist-friendliness of destinations.

Key features

The endeavour to establish sustainable tourism at the country’s heritage tourism destinations involves a collaboration between various entities, including public sector companies, private sector companies, NGOs, and corporate individuals.
To finance these efforts, organizations or companies are expected to utilize their Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) funds for the development and upkeep of heritage sites, monuments, archaeological sites, and other culturally significant tourist destinations.
These organizations, actively involved in enhancing and upgrading these sites, are collectively known as “Monument Mitras.”
The various monuments and heritage sites are categorized as Green, Blue, or Orange based on their visitor numbers and recognition.

5. SWADESH DARSHAN SCHEME 2.0

Type of scheme: Central sector scheme
Aim: To enhance the tourist attractiveness in a sustainable manner by developing world class infrastructure in the circuit/destinations.

Key features

Efforts are made to achieve convergence with other schemes of Central and State governments and also to leverage the voluntary funding available for Corporate Social Responsibility initiatives of Central Public Sector Undertakings and Corporate Sector.
A Special Purpose Vehicle may also be created, to spell out specific milestone to be achieved indicating the works to be undertaken by them in physical and financial terms contribution. including State Government’s.
The States/ UT Administration shall appoint a State Level Monitoring Committee for timely implementation of project. o Major themes have been identified for tourism under the Scheme: Culture and Heritage; Adventure Tourism; Eco-Tourism; Wellness Tourism; MICE Tourism; Rural Tourism; Beach Tourism; Cruises – Ocean & Inland.

MINISTRY OF TRIBAL AFFAIRS

1. PRADHAN MANTRI JANJATI ADIVASI NYAYA MAHA ABHIYAN (PM-JANMAN)

Launched in: Budget of 2023-24
Type of scheme: Centrally Sponsored Scheme
Corpus: Rs 24,104 crore
Aim: To bring basic government services like power, water, road connectivity, housing, education, and healthcare to the PVTG communities living in remote villages.

Key features:

This scheme comprising Central Sector and Centrally Sponsored Schemes to focus on 11 critical interventions through 9 Ministries including Ministry of Tribal Affairs.
Under the program, about 11 initiatives including PM-Gram Sadak Yojana, PM-Gram Awaas Yojana, Jal Jeevan Mission, and others will be implemented in these targeted villages through the collaborative efforts of nine ministries.
Furthermore, complete coverage will be ensured for schemes such as Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojna, Sickle Cell Disease Elimination, TB Elimination, 100% immunization, PM Surakshit Matritva Yojana, PM Matru Vandana Yojana, PM Poshan, and PM Jan Dhan Yojana.
Eklavya Model Residential School that is being established in every block having 50% or more tribals.
To build 2,500 anganwadi centres, set up 1,000 mobile medical units (10 per district), instal mobile towers in 3,000 villages, and set up 500 Van Dhan Vikas Kendras to facilitate the sale of forest produce.
The Ministry of Ayush will set up Ayush Wellness Centre to PVTG habitations through mobile medical units.
The Ministry of Skill Development and Entrepreneurship will facilitate skill and vocational training in PVTG habitations, multi-purpose centres and hostels as per suitable skills of these communities.
Significance: This scheme will develop the human development index (HDI) OF 75 PVTGs communities across India.

2.MARKETING AND LOGISTICS DEVELOPMENT FOR PROMOTION OF TRIBAL PRODUCTS FROM NORTH EASTERN REGION (PTP-NER 2.0) SCHEME

Type of scheme: Central sector scheme
Aim: To strengthen livelihood opportunities for tribal artisans through increased efficiency in procurement, logistics and marketing of tribal products from North Eastern States.
Nodal Agency: Tribal Cooperative Marketing Development Federation (TRIFED)
Implementing agency: North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC), India Post and other North Eastern State Government Departments/ Agencies.
Applicability: States of Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Tripura and Sikkim.
Phases: The scheme has been implemented in two phases: o In the 1st Phase, 38 districts were covered, organisation of 64 Tribal Artisans Empanelment Melas (TAeM) were done by the teams of TRIFED and North Eastern Handicrafts and Handlooms Development Corporation (NEHHDC). A variety of products were procured ranging from textiles, forest produce, bamboo items, jewellery, pottery, paintings, etc.
In the 2nd Phase, 29 districts will be covered by the teams of TRIFED and NEHHDC to reach out to tribal artisans and showcase their cultural heritage.

Key features:

TAeMs will be organised in consultation and support of District Administration and other relevant organisations/ departments working in the field etc. o Facilitates backwards and forward linkages through incubation support, aggregation, skill and entrepreneurship development, sourcing and procurement, marketing, transportation, and publicity.
Significance of the Scheme: Will strengthen the job opportunities for tribal artisans by promoting their products and uplift the socio-economic status of tribal artisans.

3. EKLAVYA MODEL RESIDENTIAL SCHEME (EMRS)

Type of scheme: Central sector scheme

Aims: To provide quality education to Scheduled Tribes students from Class 6 to Class 12 in remote areas to enable them to access the best opportunities in education and bring them at par with the general population.

Key features:

Government plans to establish one EMRS in every block with more than 50% Scheduled Tribe population and at least 20,000 tribal population as per 2011 census, subject to availability of suitable land to be provided by State Government
om In blocks, where density of ST population is higher than 90%, Eklavya Model Day Boarding Schools (EMDBS) can be set up on an experimental basis for providing additional scope for ST students seeking to avail school education without residential facility.
These schools focus not only on academic education but on the all-round development of students. These schools have special facilities for preserving local art & culture besides providing training in sports and skill development.
Each school has a capacity of 480 students and is on par with Navodaya Schools.
States can also run EMRS in alternative buildings preferably in Government buildings till the construction of schools is completed. o Education is provided free of cost to tribal students in EMRS.

MINISTRY OF WOMEN & CHILD DEVELOPMENT

1. MISSION SHAKTI

An umbrella scheme for ensuring holistic and development of women.
It is a unified citizen-centric lifecycle support for women through integrated care, safety, protection, rehabilitation, and empowerment to unshackle women as they progress through various stages of their life.

2.SAKSHAM ANGANWADI AND POSHAN 2.0 (MISSION POSHAN 2.0)

Type of scheme: Centrally-sponsored scheme
Schemes merged: Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), POSHAN (Prime Minister’s Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment) Abhiyaan, and Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG).
Aim: To address challenges of malnutrition in children, adolescent girls’ and pregnant women and lactating mothers through a strategic shift in nutrition content, delivery and by creation of a convergent eco-system.
Beneficiaries: Children up to the age of 6 years, adolescent girls (14-18 years) in Aspirational Districts and North Eastern States and pregnant and lactating women.

Key features:

Technology platform POSHAN TRACKER will enhance transparency.
Dynamic identification of nutrition deficiencies among beneficiaries using growth monitoring devices (Stadiometer (height), Infantometer (baby’s length), Weighing scale).
Mandate the inclusion of millets at least once a week in Take Home Ration and Hot Cooked Meals, integrating them in a palatable form.
POSHAN Vatikas (kitchen gardens and nutri-gardens) shall be set up at or near Anganwadi Centres.
Reduce child wasting and under-weight prevalence besides stunting and anaemia through AYUSH practices.
District Magistrate (DM) shall be the Nodal Point in the district for monitoring nutritional status and quality standards o Scheme evaluation should be conducted by a reputable third party nominated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development (MoWCD).

3.MISSION VATSALYA

Aim: Create a safe and secure environment for comprehensive development of children who need care and protection, children in conflict with law and other vulnerable children.
Formed by restructuring Child Protection Scheme which was a part of erstwhile Umbrella ICDS scheme.
It also aims to assist states in delivering the mandate of Juvenile Justice Act, 2015 and achieve SDG goals.

COMPONENTS OF MISSION VATSALYA

Improving functioning of statutory bodies
Strengthen service delivery services
Upscale institutional care by childcare institutions.
Supports after care programs i.e., provision of care for all children, including children with special needs, after they have reached 18 years of age and are discharged from Children’s Homes/Special Homes. (Young Adults).
Encourage non-institutional community-based care. For ex. Family based non-institutional care through sponsorship, foster care & adoption.
Emergency outreach services through Childline and Child Tracking System.
Training & capacity building of duty-holders

NIRBHAYA FUND

Dedicated fund towards projects designed to improve safety and security of women.
It is a non-lapsable corpus fund, being administered by Department of Economic Affairs, Ministry of Finance. MWCD is the nodal ministry to appraise/recommend proposals and schemes.

Key features:

Directly impact on safety of women
Optimum use of existing infrastructure
Innovative use of technology
No duplication of existing schemes/programs
Provision of real time intervention as far as possible.
Strict privacy and confidentiality of women’s identity
Defined monitoring mechanism
Support of State WCD/ Social Welfare Department/ State Home Department etc.

MINISTRY OF YOUTH AFFAIRS & SPORTS

1. MERA YUVA BHARAT (MY BHARAT)

Body: Autonomous body
Aim: To provide youth with an opportunity to play active role in various Government programmes.
Beneficiaries: Youth in the age group of 15-29 years, with a special focus on those aged 10-19 years.

Key features:

It is a ‘Phygital Platform’ (physical + digital) comprising physical activity along with an opportunity to connect digitally.
Will help in setting the focus of Government on Youth led development and make youth ‘active drivers’ of development and not merely ‘passive recipients.
Leadership Development in the Youth through improving the leadership skills and investing in youth to make them social innovators, and leaders in the communities.
Better alignment between the aspirations of the youth and the community needs.
Enhanced efficiency through Convergence of existing programmes.
Act as a one-stop shop for young people and Ministries.
Create a centralized youth database.
Improved two-way communication to connect youth government initiatives and activities of other stakeholder that engage with youth.

2. YUVA UTSAV- INDIA @ 2047

Organised by: Nehru Yuva Kendra Sangathan (NYKS)
Aim: To rekindle the spirit of patriotism and values of India’s Freedom Struggle by engaging the youth in various events progressing from District level to State and National levels.

Key features:

Young Artists, writers, photographers, practitioners of traditional art forms shall lead this movement from the grass-root level to the national level, to bring the rich heritage, culture and values of our nation to the central stage of public discourse.
The theme for the Yuva Utsav will be Panch Pran:
Goal of developed India;
To remove any trace of slavery or colonial mindset;
Take pride in our heritage and legacy;
Unity and solidarity and
Sense of duty among citizens.

3.KHELO INDIA RISING TALENT IDENTIFICATION (KIRTI) PROGRAMME

Part of: Khelo India Mission
Eligibility: Between 9 and 18 years
Aim: To hunt talent from every nook and corner of the country and to use sports as a tool to curb addiction towards drugs and other gadgetry distractions.

Key features:

It is athlete-centric programme is conspicuous by its transparent selection methodology based on Information Technology.

MISCELLANEOUS

Science for Women-A Technology & Innovation (SWATI)

Developed hosted and maintained by: National Institute of Plant Genome Research (NIPGR), New Delhi.
Initiative of: Inter Academy Panel (IAP) on Women in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine (STEMM)
Objective: To create a single online portal representing Indian Women and Girls in Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics & Medicine (STEMM).

Key features

It contains a comprehensive database profiling Indian women across STEMM fields.
It includes profiles of women awardees (Padma / Shanti Swarup Bhatnagar / Stree Shakti Science Samman) & Directors, Secretaries Academy Presidents.
Also include each and every Indian woman in science, across all career stages and subjects, spanning both academia and the industry, enabling reliable and statistically significant long term research on the issues of equality, diversity and inclusivity in India.

Sandbox for Agriculture, Rural Security, Technology and Insurance (Sarathi)

Assist insurance companies in reaching farmers and rural populations with tailored products and government-subsidized insurance schemes like Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY).
It aimed to simplify insurance processes for farmers by providing a single-window platform for viewing, purchasing, and availing insurance products.
The platform will have digital payment options and streamlined premium collection.

Arogya Maitri Disaster Management Cube – BHISHM

It is a world’s first portable hospital, this cube is a part of the broader initiative named “Project BHISHM” – Bharat Health Initiative for Sahyog, Hita and Maitri to develop a world-class disaster hospital.
It is tailored to treat up to 200 casualties, emphasizing rapid response and comprehensive care.
It integrates Artificial Intelligence (AI) and data analytics to facilitate effective coordination, real-time monitoring, and efficient management of medical services in the field.
The Aid Cube is equipped with several innovative tools such as a mini-ICU, an operation theatre, cooking station, food, water, a power generator, blood test equipment, an X-ray machine, and more, designed to enhance disaster response and medical support during emergencies.
These cubes are robust, waterproof, and light, designed for various configurations, making them ideal for diverse emergency scenarios. From airdrops to ground transportation, the cube can be rapidly deployed anywhere, ensuring immediate response capability.
Two such ‘Aarogya Maitri’ mother cubes combine to form a “brick” to complete the kit. The design of these cubes draws inspiration from the “Rubik’s Cube.

National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC)

Set up in 1989 as a Company “not for profit” under Section 8 of the Companies Act 2013 (earlier under Companies Act, 1956). Its functioning exclusively for the development of the Scheduled Castes
Objectives: To finance the income generating activities of SC beneficiaries having annual family income up to Rs. 3.00 lakh.
Financial assistance of target group: By way of loans, Skill Training, Entrepreneurship Development Programmes and providing Marketing Support through State Channelizing Agencies (SCAs), RRBs, Public Sector Bank & other institutions. Managed by: Board of Directors with representation from Central Government, State Scheduled Castes Development Corporations, Financial Institutions and nonofficial members representing Scheduled Castes.
Share Capital: Rs 1500 crores and the Paid up Capital is Rs. 1500.00 crore (as on 2021).

QR Code on Food Labels to help visually disabled

The information on food labels includes product name, shelf life, nutrition facts, vegetarian/non-vegetarian logos, ingredient lists, allergen warnings, and other product specific labelling requirements.
This information is aimed at empowering consumers to make informed choices when selecting food products.
To ensure access to safe food for all including individuals with special needs such as visually impaired individuals.
Also to ensure inclusive access to information is a fundamental right of citizens under Article 19.
The Rights of Persons with Disabilities Act 2016 recognises the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities, which emphasises accessibility and the promotion of health for persons with disabilities

Automated Permanent Academic Account Registry (APAAR) ID.

It is a special ID system for all students in India to create a positive change, allowing state governments to track literacy rates, dropout rates, and more, helping them make improvements.
Under the initiative, each student would get a lifelong APAAR ID, making it easy for the learners, schools, and governments to track academic progress from preprimary education to higher education.
It is part of the ‘One Nation, One Student ID’ initiative outlined in the National Education Policy of 2020.
Registration for creating APAAR ID is voluntary, not mandatory.
Every individual will have a unique APAAR ID, which will be linked to the Academic Bank Credit (ABC), which is a digital storehouse that contains information of the credits earned by students throughout their learning journey.
With the APAAR ID, students would be able to store all their certificates and credits, whether they come from formal education or informal learning.

Rajmargyatra app

By National Highway Authority of India (NHAI) has launched, to improve user experience on highways and create a ‘citizen-centric unified mobile application’.
It will help provide travellers with comprehensive information about India’s highways and also offer them an efficient grievance redressal mechanism.
Act as a “one-stop repository of essential information” for national highways.

Space Science and Technology Awareness Training (START)

It is online training programme, for postgraduate and final-year undergraduate students of Physical Sciences and Technology.
The programme will cover various domains of Space Science, including Astronomy and Astrophysics, Heliophysics and Sun-Earth interaction, Instrumentation, and Aeronomy.
It will be delivered by scientists from Indian academia and ISRO centres.
It is part of the ISRO’s efforts to enable Indian students to become professionals in Space Science and Technology, as the organisation’s Space Science exploration programme continues to expand into new domains.
The programme is intended to provide students with an introductory-level training in Space Science and Technology, giving them an overview of different facets of the field, research opportunities, and career options

Mission 50KEV4ECO

It is a scheme of Small Industries Development Bank of India (SIDBI).
SIDBI will directly provide loans to eligible small and medium enterprises (SMEs) for the purchase of EVs and developing charging infrastructure, including battery swapping.
Focuses on increasing the uptake of electric 2, 3 and 4 wheelers through direct and indirect lending support to vehicle aggregators, fleet operators and leasing companies.

Grassroots Innovations Accelerator program

To help grassroots innovators in farming with support for entrepreneurial, product and market development.
The program is a result of a partnership between the NIF Incubation and Entrepreneurship Council (NIFientreC), a Technology Business Incubator(TBI) hosted by the National Innovation Foundation and Publicis Sapient, a digital business transformation company.
This program is in sync with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 to build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation. Learning Science via Standards Initiative
It focuses on a series of lesson plans aimed to use scientific concepts, principles and laws to help students understand their practical applications in manufacturing, functioning and testing of quality characteristics of different products as stated in the relevant Indian Standards.
Initiative of the Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS)

Rapid Innovation and Start-up Expansion (RISE) Accelerator

To support start-ups and small to mid-sized enterprises (SMEs) working on circular economy technologies and solutions in India and Australia.
Partnership between CSIRO, Australia’s National Science Agency and Atal Innovation Mission (AIM).
With a focus on Environment and Climate Technology, the program will be tailored to accelerate start-ups working on a range of areas:
Climate smart agriculture
Clean energy
Circular economy and waste management.
Climate smart mobility.

Comprehensive Rubber Information System Platform (CRISP) application

It has been developed by the Rubber Research Institute of India (RRII) in collaboration with the Digital University of Kerala.
Gives information about rubber cultivators related to production and productivity enhancement, reduction of cultivation cost, maintenance of soil fertility, disease control measures, etc.

Meira Paibis

They are known as women torch bearers because of the flaming torches that they hold aloft while marching in the streets, often at night.
Also known as Imas or Mothers of Manipur, are Meitei women who come from all sections of society in the Imphal valley, are widely respected, and represent a powerful moral force.
They are loosely organised, usually led by groups of senior women, but have no rigid hierarchy or structure, or any overt political leanings.
They may become more visible during certain times, but their presence and importance in Manipuri civil society are permanent and palpable, and their role as society’s conscience keepers is widely acknowledged.
It was formed in 1977. One of the largest grassroots movements in the world.
Focus: Its initial focus of fighting alcoholism and drug abuse has now expanded to countering human rights violations and the development of society at large.
Over the decades, they have led numerous social and political movements in the state, including some powerful protests against alleged atrocities by Indian security forces, leveraging their strong position in society in the interest of the causes they have espoused.

Rozgar Melas

It is a drive to recruit 10 lakh people.
The recruitments are being conducted in collaboration with Central Government Departments as well as State Governments and Union Territories.
The new recruits, hailing from various parts of the country, will be joining the Government in departments such as Financial Services, Posts, School Education, Higher Education, Defence, Revenue, Health and Family Welfare, Atomic Energy, Railways, Audit and Accounts, and Home Affairs, among others.
The recruitments are largely in posts of Group B and Group C level.
All the recruitments taking place through the recruitment agencies like Staff Selection Commission (SSC), Union Public Service Commission (UPSC), and Railway Recruitment Board(RRBs) in a time-bound and transparent manner
The newly inducted appointees are also getting an opportunity to train themselves through Karmayogi Prarambh, an online module on the Integrated Government Online Training (iGOT) Karmayogi portal, where more than 400 e-learning courses have been made available for ‘anywhere any device’ learning format.

National Exit Test (NExT)

The National Medical Commission Act has paved the way for NExT with the intent to enhance the competence of MBBS graduates.
By replacing the final MBBS examination and serving as a licentiate exam, NExT aims to standardize the assessment of medical graduates, facilitating a more practical and skill-oriented evaluation over the traditionally theoretical NEET-PG.

AICTE Investor Network

• It is launched with the objective of empowering educational institutions to become innovation hubs, fostering a conducive environment for start-up development, facilitating entrepreneurship by transforming innovative ideas.

Mulya Pravah 2.0
As part of its Quality Mandate initiative in 2019, the UGC developed guidelines on “Mulya Pravah — Inculcation of Human Values and Professionals Ethics in Higher Educational Institutions”.
These guidelines have now been revised to include the key recommendations of the National Education Policy, 2020 (NEP-2020).
It proposes the curriculum and pedagogy of Higher Education Institutions (HEIs) to develop deep respect towards Fundamental Duties and Constitutional Values among the students and bonding with one’s country, and conscious awareness of the roles and responsibilities in a changing world.

Food Street Project

Objective: To promote safe and healthy food practices among food businesses and communities to reduce foodborne illnesses and enhance public health.

Implementation Details:

Funding:
- Rs. 1 crore per food street
- Pilot project covering 100 locations nationwide
- Implemented through National Health Mission (NHM)
Financial Support for Infrastructure:
- Safe drinking water facilities
- Hand washing and toilet facilities
- Tiled flooring in common areas
- Waste disposal systems
- Common storage space
- Specialized carts for specific trades
- Lighting and branding elements
- Signage and façade preparation
Implementation Partners:
- Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (through NHM)
- Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA)
- FSSAI (technical support)

Grassroots Innovations Accelerator Program

Purpose: To support grassroots farming innovators in entrepreneurial, product, and market development.

Key Features:

Partnership:
- NIF Incubation and Entrepreneurship Council (NIFientreC)
- Publicis Sapient (digital business transformation company)
Alignment:
- Supports UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 9
- Focuses on infrastructure development
- Promotes sustainable industrialization
- Fosters innovation

To encourage safe and healthy food practices among food businesses and community members, thus, reducing foodborne illnesses and improving overall health outcomes.
To operationalize the food streets, the National Health Mission (NHM) of the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will provide assistance of Rs. 1 crore per food street as a pilot project to support 100 such food streets at different locations across the country.
Financial assistance would be provided for activities such as the provision of safe drinking water, hand washing, toilet facilities, tiled flooring of common areas, appropriate liquid & solid waste disposal, provision of dustbins, using billboards, façade preparation and signage of permanent nature, common storage space, lighting, specialized carts for a specific type of trades, branding etc.
The initiative will be implemented through NHM in convergence with the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), apart from FSSAI’s technical support. Grassroots Innovations Accelerator program
To help grassroots innovators in farming with support for entrepreneurial, product and market development.
The program is a result of a partnership between the NIF Incubation and Entrepreneurship Council (NIFientreC), a Technology Business Incubator(TBI) hosted by the National Innovation Foundation and Publicis Sapient, a digital business transformation company.
This program is in sync with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 9, adopted by the United Nations General Assembly in 2015 to build resilient infrastructure, promote sustainable industrialization and foster innovation.

Pension Fund Regulatory & Development Authority (PFRDA)

It is a statutory regulatory body set up under PFRDA Act with an objective to promote old age income security and protect the interests of NPS subscribers.
The Authority consists of a Chairperson and not more than six members, of whom at least three shall be whole-time members, to be appointed by the Central Government.

Schemes managed by PFRDA: Atal Pension Yojana (APY) and National Pension System (NPS)

Lisu tribe

• Lisu tribe, also called ‘Yobin’ in India, live in the most eastern corner of the country in Shidi Valley and Nibodi village of Arunachal Pradesh, surrounded by Namdapha National Park. • It is one of the minority tribes of Arunachal Pradesh of India.

Singphos tribe

Singphos an ethnic group inhabiting 27 countries, including China’s Yunnan province.
The Singpho tribe is one of the important frontier tribes of North-East India. The tribe is known in China as Jingpo and in Burma as Kachin.
In India, the Singphos are found in the states of Assam and Arunachal Pradesh adjoining the Patkai Mountain range
. They speak Singpho language.
Shapawng Yawng Manau Poi is an annual festival of Singpho tribe of Arunachal Pradesh. It is also the most important dance festival of Singpho (Jinghpaw) community. Also known as Manau Poi, it is the national festival of the Kachins (Singphos) residing in Myanmar.
The festival is primarily organised to show the varied and rich culture, customs and exotic flora and fauna of vast Arunachal Pradesh.
The Lisus and Singphos have similar usage of numbers in their names, probably because they belong to the Wunpong group, which has four more communities in the Kachin State of Myanmar

Phani Yerava

The Yerava people were a thriving, agriculture and forest-based tribe, in the southern Indian states of Kerala and Karnataka.
They speak Revula language and their settlements is known as Kunju.
They follow Hinduism but also hold beliefs in spirits that dwell in natural features such as trees, mountains, and rivers.
Their primary occupation is working as agricultural laborers on coffee and tea plantations.
Most of them also end up working as low paid, unskilled laborers. Many have alcohol problems or spend their money and day chewing betel nuts.
The Yerava marry within their community.

Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with Innovations For Defence Excellence(ADITI) scheme

Defense Innovation Organization (DIO) Program

Managing Authority:

Defence Innovation Organization (DIO), Ministry of Defence

Core Objective: To create an ecosystem fostering innovation and technology development in defense and aerospace through industry, startup, and academic collaboration.

Focus Areas: Ammunition and explosives, Armaments, Aerospace, Surveillance systems, Sensors, Propulsion systems, Artificial Intelligence, Other emerging technologies

Key Targets:

Development of approximately 30 critical and strategic technologies within specified timeline
Implementation of Technology Watch Tool to bridge gap between armed forces’ requirements and innovation ecosystem capabilities

Purpose: To strengthen India’s defense capabilities through indigenous technological advancement and innovation ecosystem developmen.

Government Schemes and Programs for UPSC Prelims 2025

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