UPSC NCERT Notes – Indian Economy – Social Welfare Schemes

Social welfare schemes refer to programs mandated and overseen by government entities to deliver social advantages to either the entire community or specific segments thereof. Here are some examples of social welfare schemes initiated by the government:

Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana 

• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Maandhan Yojana is a Central Government initiative designed to provide old age protection and social security to Small and Marginal Farmers (SMF). 
• Eligible farmers, with cultivable landholding up to two hectares and aged between 18 to 40 years, can enroll in the scheme. Participants in the age group of 18 to 40 years are required to make monthly contributions ranging from 55 to 200 per month until they reach the age of 60.

The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY)

• The Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY) aims to boost fish production to 220 lakh metric tonnes by 2024-25, targeting an average annual growth rate of approximately 9%. 
• The PMMSY focuses on various aspects, including the augmentation of fish production and productivity, improving quality, ensuring sustainability, incorporating technology, developing post-harvest infrastructure, modernizing and fortifying the entire value chain in the fisheries sector, maintaining standards and traceability from ‘catch to consumer,’ establishing a robust fisheries management framework, prioritizing fishers’ welfare, and enhancing competitiveness for fisheries exports.

Mission Antyodaya

• Mission Antyodaya, introduced in the Union Budget 2017-18, serves as a convergence and accountability framework to optimize the utilization and management of resources allocated by 27 Ministries/Departments of the Government of India for rural development programs. This state-led initiative positions Gram Panchayats as focal points for convergence efforts. The annual survey in Gram Panchayats, aligned with the People’s Plan Campaign (PPC) of the Ministry of Panchayati Raj, supports participatory planning for the Gram Panchayat Development Plan (GPDP).

Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan

• Aatmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyaan, launched by the Government of India on May 13, 2020, aims to make India self-reliant. This vision for a new India involves five pillars: economy, infrastructure, system, vibrant demography, and demand. On May 12, 2020, the Prime Minister kickstarted the campaign by announcing a special economic and comprehensive package of 20 lakh crore, equivalent to 10% of India’s GDP, to combat the COVID-19 pandemic.

Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM)

• Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan-Dhan (PM-SYM) is a pension scheme for unorganized workers, ensuring old age protection. 
• It operates on a 50:50 contribution basis, with the beneficiary and the Central Government making prescribed age-specific contributions. The scheme provides a minimum assured pension of 3000 per month after the subscriber reaches the age of 60. In the event of the subscriber’s demise before the age of 60, the spouse can continue or exit the scheme.

PM Svanidhi Yojana

• PM Svanidhi Yojana is a Central Sector Scheme under the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, benefiting street vendors in urban areas. 
• The scheme aims to provide working capital loans of up to 10,000 to street vendors, with no collateral required. Timely repayment incentivizes vendors with the opportunity to avail an enhanced limit in the next cycle.

Rural Infrastructure and Development Schemes 

• Rural Infrastructure and Development Schemes encompass the Five Star Villages Scheme, launched by the Department of Posts on September 10, 2020, to ensure 100% rural coverage of postal schemes.
• The scheme aims to address the gaps in public awareness and accessibility of postal products and services, especially in remote villages.
• The Swamitva Yojana is designed to bridge this gap by providing ownership rights to people in rural areas. It is expected to play a significant role in establishing property rights in rural hinterlands and become a tool for empowerment and entitlement, facilitating property monetization, enabling bank loans, and reducing social conflicts over properties.
• Property records for a village will now be maintained at the Panchayat level, allowing for the collection of associated taxes from property owners. The revenue generated from these local taxes will be utilized for building rural infrastructure and facilities.

Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY)

• The rural housing scheme, previously known as the Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), initiated by former Prime Minister Rajiv Gandhi in 1985, has undergone restructuring and is now named Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY) since September 21, 2016. The IAY has been included in the PMAY.
• Under the modified PMAY scheme, the sharing pattern between the Centre and States remains the same, but the grant is directly transferred into the bank accounts of beneficiaries selected based on the socio-economic caste census of 2011. The cost of unit assistance is shared between the Central and State Governments in the ratio of 60:40 in plain areas and 90% for North-Eastern and Himalayan states.
• The PMAY has two components, catering to both urban and rural households, to provide housing for all by 2022. The urban component is operated by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs, while the rural component is operated by the Ministry of Rural Development.

Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission (SPMRM)

• Launched in 2016, the SPMRM aims to deliver integrated project-based infrastructure in rural areas. The scheme includes the development of economic activities and skill development, with a preference for delivery through Public-Private Partnerships (PPPs). The Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas (PURA) scheme is merged with the SPMRM.
• A Rurban Cluster is a cluster of geographically contiguous villages, with a population of about 25,000 to 50,000 in plain and coastal areas and a population of 5,000 to 15,000 in desert, hilly, or tribal areas.
• The benefits of the Rurban Mission include providing city-like facilities to villages, offering electricity, water, roads, and health facilities, and developing villages along the lines of clusters. The population in a cluster will range from 21,000 to 50,000, with 30% of the total expenditure on Center Gap Funding from the budget.

Social Development Schemes

• Several new social development schemes have been introduced to address critical issues in the country. One such scheme is the Mahila Samman Yojana, a newly introduced National Savings Scheme by the Government of India. Announced in the Union Budget 2023-24, this scheme is exclusively available for women and girls. The Mahila Samman Saving Certificate Yojana offers a fixed interest rate of 7.5% per annum, with quarterly compounding, directly credited to the account. The Mahila Samman Bachat Patra Savings Scheme allows deposits starting from a minimum of one thousand rupees in multiples of one hundred rupees.
• Any Indian woman or girl can invest a maximum of 2 lakh rupees for two years under the Mahila Samman Saving Patra Scheme. Multiple Mahila Samman Yojana accounts can be opened under this MSSC scheme, but the second MSSC account can only be opened after a three-month gap from the existing one.

Pradhan Mantri PVTG Development Mission

• The Finance Minister introduced a new scheme called the Pradhan Mantri PVTG (Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups) Development Mission in the Union Budget 2023-24 on February 1, 2023.
• The mission aims to provide particularly vulnerable tribal groups with safe housing, clean drinking water, education, nutrition, road and telecom connections, and livelihood opportunities.
• PVTGs, identified as 75 out of the 705 Scheduled Tribes in India, are spread across 17 States and 1 Union Territory.
• Launched as part of Reaching The Last Mile, one of the seven Saptarishi priorities listed in this year’s budget.

PM Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman Scheme

• The Prime Minister Vishwakarma Kaushal Samman (PM-VIKAS) scheme is announced for traditional artisans and craftsmen in the Budget 2023-24 on February 1, 2023.
• A package of assistance has been devised to encourage traditional arts and handicrafts, helping artisans improve the quality, scale, and reach of their products. This integration with the Micro, Small, and Medium-scale Enterprises (MSME) value chain will connect them with local and global markets.

PM-PRANAM Scheme

• The PM-PRANAM scheme was announced by Union Finance Minister Nirmala Sitharaman on February 1, 2023.
• Stands for PM Programme for Restoration, Awareness, Nourishment, and Amelioration of Mother Earth. The primary objective is to reduce the use of chemical fertilizers and promote the balanced use of chemicals.
• Aiming to promote alternatives to fertilizers for green growth and minimize environmental impact. Launched under the GOBAR DHAN Scheme, standing for Galvanizing Organic Bio-Agro Resources Dhan.
• The PM-PRANAM Scheme will benefit more than one crore farmers in India.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana

• The Cabinet led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi approved a new integrated food security scheme named Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Ann Yojana (PMGKAY), providing free food grains to Antoday Ann Yojana (AAY) and Primary Household (PHH) beneficiaries, effective from January 1, 2023.
• The scheme will benefit more than 8 crore poor and the poorest of the poor. It aims to provide free food grains under PMGKA for 2023 to all PHH and AAY beneficiaries, maintaining uniformity across states.
• The integrated scheme strengthens the provisions of NFSA, 2013, ensuring accessibility, affordability, and availability of food grains for the poor.
• PMGKAY will absorb two subsidy schemes from the Department of Food and Public Distribution, namely, (a) Food Subsidy to FCI and (b) Food Subsidy for decentralized procurement states dealing with the procurement, allocation, and delivery of free food grains to the states under NFSA, ensuring effective and uniform implementation of NFSA 2013.

New India Literacy Programme

• The Government of India has approved the Centrally Sponsored Scheme called the New India Literacy Programme (NILP) in April 2022.
• NILP has received approval for the next five financial years (2022-27) to integrate all aspects of adult education with the National Education Policy, 2020 (NEP).
• The Education Ministry opted for “Education for All” instead of “Adult Education” as the previous terminology did not apply to non-literates aged 15 and above.
• It aims to support states and union territories in promoting literacy among non-literates in the age group of 15 and above, covering 5 crore non-literates across the country during the implementation period from 2022-23 to 2026-27.

Agnipath Scheme

• The Agnipath scheme, launched to enlist young men and women in the Indian Armed Forces, was announced by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on June 14, 2022.
• This scheme becomes the sole method of recruiting soldiers into the three defense services – Armed Forces, Indian Navy, and Air Forces, with no gratuity or pension benefits.
• Agniveers, recruited under the Agnipath scheme, will serve for four years, undergoing training for six months. The starting salary will be 30,000, rising to 40,000 by the end of the fourth year.
• Under the Seva Nidhi package, exempt from Income Tax, they will receive about 11 lakh-12 lakh, including contribution and interest, on completion of service.
• Recruits will contribute 30% of their monthly emoluments to Seva Nidhi, matched by the government, with 25% of recruits being inducted back into the services and serving for a full 15 years in non-officer ranks.

Startup India Seed Fund Scheme

• The Startup India Seed Fund Scheme is designed to offer financial aid to startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market-entry, and commercialization.
• Approved on February 5, 2021, for four years, it aims to provide financial assistance to startups at the initial stage. The Seed Fund is disbursed as follows:
  • Up to 20 lakhs as a grant for the validation of Proof of Concept or prototype development or product trials.
  • Up to 50 lakhs of investment for market entry, commercialization, or scaling up through convertible debentures or debt-linked instruments.

Education

• India, which once had a bottom-heavy population, is now transitioning to an economy with a middle-heavy population.
• To fully capitalize on the demographic dividend, India must provide quality education to its population.
• The preliminary draft of the 12th Plan places a strong emphasis on teacher training, evaluation, and mechanisms for ensuring accountability. Additionally, it highlights the imperative to enhance the capacity of secondary schools to accommodate the increased number of students graduating from expanded primary enrollments.

Schemes for Transformational and Advanced Research in Science (STARS) Project

• Launched in October 2019, the STARS Project aims to enhance monitoring and measurement activities within the Indian School Education System. This initiative aligns with the goals outlined in the National Education Policy of 2020 and receives support from the World Bank. The project is currently implemented in six states: Himachal Pradesh, Rajasthan, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh, Kerala, and Odisha.

Atal Innovation Mission

• Established on April 26, 2018, by NITI Aayog, the Atal Innovation Mission (AIM) serves as the Government of India’s flagship initiative to foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship. AIM focuses on promoting self-employment and talent utilization, providing support and mentorship to innovators to transform them into successful entrepreneurs. It also facilitates the generation of innovative ideas.

DIKSHA Scheme

• Introduced by the Union Ministry of Human Resource and Development (HRD) in September 2017, the DIKSHA (National Digital Infrastructure for Teachers) Portal (diksha.gov.in) offers a digital platform for teachers. 
• This portal serves as the National Digital Infrastructure for teachers, enabling them to enhance their teaching skills. Teachers can create individual profiles showcasing their skills and knowledge.

SWAYAM Scheme

• Launched on July 9, 2017, SWAYAM (Study Webs of Active Learning for Young Aspiring Minds) is a Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs) platform introduced by the HRD. The platform provides various online courses for both school and higher education. NCERT is actively developing MOOC modules for school education in subjects such as accountancy, business studies, biology, chemistry, economics, history, geography, mathematics, physics, political science, psychology, and sociology for classes 9 to 12.

Samagra Shiksha Scheme

• Commencing on May 24, 2018, the Samagra Shiksha Scheme was initiated by the HRD to improve the quality of education at the school level in India. It serves as a comprehensive program that integrates digital technology and introduces skill development into the school education system. The program includes an annual grant ranging from 5,000 to 25,000 to strengthen school libraries.

Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)/Right to Education (RTE)

• The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education (RTE) Act, 2009, became operational on April 1, 2010. Enshrined in Article 21A of the Constitution of India, it ensures every child’s right to elementary education of satisfactory and equitable quality in a formal school. 
• The SSA has played a pivotal role in significantly reducing the number of out-of-school children. Key government education schemes include Shiksha Sahayog Yojana, Sarva Shiksha Abhiyaan, Saakshar Bharat, Kanya Saaksharta Prothsan Yojana, and Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya Yojana.

PM Poshan Scheme

• Renamed on September 20, 2021, the Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman Yojana (PM Poshan) is an enhanced version of the existing Mid-Day Meal scheme. 
• A centrally sponsored initiative, PM Poshan covers all school children in government and government-aided primary schools from class 1 to 8, benefiting an estimated 11.80 crore children across 11.20 lakh schools nationwide. With a budget of 1,30,794.90 crore for the period from 2021-22 to 2025-26, the scheme includes the Central Government’s share of 54,061.73 crore and the State Government’s share of 31,733.17 crore.
• An additional cost of 45,000 crore for food grains will be borne by the Centre. Leveraging Information Technology (IT) systems, the Poshan Tracker application, launched on March 1, 2021, enhances transparency in nutrition delivery systems.

Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA)

• Initiated in March 2009, the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) aims to increase access to secondary education and enhance its quality.
• Implementing quality intervention schemes, RMSA works to ensure that all secondary schools adhere to prescribed norms, eliminating gender, socio-economic, and disability barriers. Objectives include improving the quality of secondary-level education, providing universal access to secondary education by 2017, and achieving universal retention by 2020. The scheme facilitates the provision of essential physical facilities like classrooms, laboratories, libraries, toilet blocks, arts and craft rooms, and residential hostels for teachers.

Global Initiative of Academic Networks (GIAN) Yojana

• GIAN in higher education, launched by the Government of India under the Ministry of Human Resource Development, is a promising scheme. The goal is to leverage the expertise of scientists, experts, and entrepreneurs to engage with higher education institutions in India, enhancing the nation’s academic resources, expediting quality reforms, and strengthening scientific and technological capabilities. The scheme fosters collaboration between India’s top institutions, Central universities, and global faculty to encourage the adoption of new teaching methods, boost research, incorporate cutting-edge technologies, and establish robust academic networks. IIT Kharagpur serves as the nodal institution and national coordinator for the GIAN program.

Saakshar Bharat Mission

• Launched in September 2009, the Saakshar Bharat Mission is a centrally sponsored scheme focused on increasing women’s literacy in India. With the primary aim of reducing gender disparity, the program targets achieving the government’s goal of 80% national literacy. Saakshar Bharat Mission has four key objectives: imparting functional literacy and numeracy to non-literates, creating a conducive environment for literacy, promoting a learning society, and strengthening partnerships for literacy.
• Achieving equivalency with the formal educational system.
• Implementing relevant skill development programs.
• Cultivating a learning society by offering opportunities for continuing education.
• The adult education centers, functioning as the operational arm of the Saakshar Bharat Mission, are tasked with organizing and delivering classes. These centers are established in Gram Panchayats, based on a ratio of one per population of 5,000.
• The mission aims to promote and strengthen adult learning, targeting those who missed formal education opportunities. Beyond basic literacy and education, it encompasses vocational education, skill development, applied science, and sports.

Nai Manzil

• Launched on August 8, 2015, by the Government of India.
• This scheme benefits minority youths lacking a formal school leaving certificate, including school dropouts and those educated in community educational institutions like Madarsas. Its goal is to provide them with formal education and skills, enabling better employment and livelihood opportunities in the organized sector.

Financial Inclusion Mission

• Launched on August 15, 2014, to provide banking services to all households in the country.
• Emphasis on empowering weaker sections, including women, small and marginal farmers, and laborers. The mission proposes opening two bank accounts in each household, eligible for credit.

Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Maan-Dhan Scheme

• Launched on September 12, 2019, as a voluntary and contributory pension scheme.
• Enrolment through Common Service Centres across the country.
• Traders in the age group of 18-40 years, with an annual turnover not exceeding 1.5 crore, can join the scheme. Beneficiaries contribute 50% monthly, matched by the Central Government. Subscribers are eligible for a monthly minimum assured pension of 3000 after reaching the age of 60.

Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana

• Launched on August 28, 2014, recognized for opening approximately 12 crore bank accounts in one week.
• Account holders enjoy benefits, including accidental insurance coverage of 2 lakh for RuPay cardholders aged 18 to 70. Valid RuPay card usage once every 45 days is required. Claim intimation should be given to the bank within 30 days of the accident. The coverage is for the head of the family or an earning member aged 18 to 59, with one person per family eligible for a single cover of 30,000 in case of multiple cards or accounts.
• The beneficiary or nominee(s) of the account holder is entitled to a claim of & 30,000, contingent on the submission of necessary documents to the Nodal Branch of the relevant bank. Government employees (serving/retired) and their families, individuals filing Income Tax Returns or TDS deductees, and those covered under the Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana are not eligible for life insurance under PMJDY. An overdraft facility of up to 10,000 is available.

Direct Benefit Transfer

• The government has opted for the direct transfer of subsidies under various social schemes into beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
• This transfer is facilitated through the Aadhaar Payment Bridge (APB), ensuring funds are directed to any Aadhaar-enabled bank account using the Aadhaar number. This method minimizes the risk of fraud or errors in the cash transfer process, linking the Aadhar number to the beneficiary database to weed out ghosts or duplicates from the list. 
• To facilitate beneficiary withdrawals, micro ATMs will be set up nationwide, particularly with the assistance of SHGs, Community Service Centres (CSCs), post offices, grocery stores, and petrol pumps in rural and accessible areas. The initiative began with 51 pilot districts across the country on January 1, 2013.

PAHAL

• The Direct Benefit Transfer of LPG (DBTL) or Pratyaksh Hastantrit Labh (PAHAL) scheme was initially launched on June 1, 2013, and ultimately covered 291 districts. 
• The modified scheme was relaunched in 54 districts on November 15, 2015, in Phase-I, and in the rest of the country on January 1, 2015. Under the modified scheme, LPG consumers can receive subsidies in their bank accounts through two methods, identified as Cash Transfer Compliant (CTC) in the bank account. 
• The two options are Option I (Primary), where consumers provide their Aadhaar number to the LPG distributor and bank, and Option II (Secondary), allowing LPG consumers without an Aadhaar number to receive subsidies directly in their bank accounts.

Health

• Improving the standard of living and health status of the population has remained a key objective for policymakers in India. Aligned with the National Health Policy, of 2002, the NRHM was launched on April 12, 2005, to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare to the rural population. 
• The involvement of the community in planning and managing healthcare facilities, improved program management, flexible financing, provision of untied grants, decentralized planning, and the augmentation of human resources have been central to the NRHM’s objectives.

Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission

• PM Narendra Modi launched the Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (ABHIM) on October 25, 2021, in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. ABHIM stands as one of the largest pan-India schemes aimed at strengthening healthcare infrastructure, emphasizing accessibility and affordability.
• The primary objective is to establish a resilient public health infrastructure, capable of effectively responding to public health emergencies and disease outbreaks in both urban and rural areas. Additionally, the mission aims to set up an IT-enabled disease surveillance system through a network of surveillance laboratories at various levels, including block, district, regional, and national.
• The mission will extend support to 17,788 Health and Wellness Centres in rural areas across 10 ‘high focus’ states and establish 11,024 Health and Wellness Centres in urban areas nationwide.

Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission

• PM Narendra Modi inaugurated the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission on September 27, 2021, via a video conference.
• The nationwide rollout of the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission coincided with the third anniversary celebration of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY).
• Under the Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission, every citizen will receive a digital health ID containing their securely stored health records. The six key building blocks of the mission include Health ID, DigiDoctor, Health Facility Registry, Personal Health Records, e-Pharmacy, and Telemedicine.
• The health ID, a 14-digit number, can be obtained by registering on the government Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission portal.

Ayushman CAPF Scheme

• The scheme covers approximately 28 lakh Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel and their families in states where Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is operational.

Ayushman Sahakar Scheme

• Launched by the Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare on October 19, 2020, the Ayushman Sahakar Scheme aims to assist co-operatives in creating healthcare infrastructure.
• Under this scheme, the National Co-operative Development Corporation (NCDC) will provide credit facilities of 10,000 to co-operatives undertaking healthcare infrastructure improvement projects in rural areas. Any co-operative society engaged in healthcare-related activities can access the NCDC fund.
• The scheme encompasses the establishment, modernization, expansion, repairs, and renovation of hospitals, healthcare, and education infrastructure. NCDC assistance will be channeled through State Governments/UT Administrations or directly to eligible co-operatives.

Prime Minister Aatmanirbhar Swasth Bharat Yojana (PMASBY)

• Launched on February 1, 2021, for six years, this scheme aims to support the establishment of 17,788 rural Health and Wellness Centres in 10 high-focus states. It includes the establishment of integrated public health labs and critical care hospitals in every district, along with strengthening the National Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) and its regional branches.

National Digital Health Mission

• Launched on August 15, 2020, the National Digital Health Mission aims to create an integrated healthcare system by digitally connecting practitioners with patients and providing real-time access to health records. The National Health Authority (NHA) under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare will implement this scheme.

Suposhit Maa Abhiyaan

• Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla initiated the ‘Suposhit Maa Abhiyaan’ in March 2020 to provide nutritional support to pregnant women and adolescent girls.
• In the inaugural phase of the campaign, 1,000 kits of a 17 kg balanced diet each were distributed to 1,000 pregnant women. Each family could adopt only one pregnant woman under this scheme.

SUMAN Scheme

• The government launched the Surakshit Matritva Aashwasan (SUMAN) scheme on October 10, 2019.
• Union Health Minister Harsh Vardhan inaugurated the scheme to achieve zero preventable maternal and newborn deaths in India. The scheme aims to significantly reduce maternal and infant mortality rates in the country.
• Beneficiaries visiting public health facilities will receive various free services, including zero-cost access to identify and manage complications during and after pregnancy. Additionally, the scheme offers free transport from home to health institutions.

Bharatiya Poshan Krishi Kosh

• The Union Government introduced Bharatiya Poshan Krishi Kosh to combat malnutrition in India.
• WCD Minister Smriti Irani, along with Bill Gates, launched the Kosh on November 18, 2019, in New Delhi.
• Bharatiya Poshan Krishi Kosh serves as a repository of diverse crops across 128 agro-climatic zones, promoting better nutritional outcomes and addressing malnutrition among women and children through a multi-sectoral results-based framework, including agriculture.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

• PMMVY, a maternity benefit program run by the Government of India, was introduced in 2017 and is managed by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• This conditional cash transfer scheme targets pregnant and lactating women aged 19 or above during their first live birth. It provides partial wage compensation for wage loss during childbirth and childcare, ensuring safe delivery and promoting good nutrition and feeding practices.
• Brought under the National Food Security Act, 2013, in 2013, the scheme is currently implemented as a pilot project in 53 selected districts.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)

• Aligned with Ayushman Bharat, PM-JAY is a centrally sponsored health insurance scheme under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare. It offers coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year, encompassing nearly all secondary care and tertiary care procedures.
• The scheme has no limitations on family size and age. Initially announced as the National Health Protection Scheme (NHPS) in the Union Budget, 2018.

Mission Indradhanush

• Launched by the Union Ministry of Health and Family Welfare on December 25, 2014, Mission Indradhanush aims to immunize all children who are either unvaccinated or partially vaccinated against seven vaccine-preventable diseases: diphtheria, whooping cough, tetanus, polio, tuberculosis, measles, and hepatitis-B.

Mission Indradhanush 4.0

• On February 7, 2022, Union Health Minister Mansukh Mandaviya virtually launched the Intensified Mission Indradhanush 4.0, with the goal of safeguarding children and pregnant women from life-threatening diseases.
• The initiative targets pregnant mothers who were unable to receive Td 1, Td 2, and Booster Td vaccines for various reasons. It addresses the vaccination needs of children from birth to two years who were previously omitted from routine vaccination, providing BCG, polio, diphtheria, tetanus, whooping cough, hepatitis-B, haemophilus, influenza-B, rotavirus, pneumonia, meningitis, measles, rubella, and Japanese encephalitis vaccines.
• Mission Indradhanush 4.0 will be executed in three rounds across 416 districts in 33 States/Union Territories.

National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)

• Launched in 2005, the NRHM acts as a comprehensive umbrella for existing health and family welfare programs. Its primary objectives include enhancing access to quality healthcare in rural areas, addressing healthcare gaps, promoting decentralized planning in the health sector, and facilitating inter-sectoral convergence.
• Improvements in infrastructure, availability of manpower, drugs, and equipment, as well as the augmentation of health human resources at different levels, have contributed to enhanced healthcare delivery services and increased utilization of Out Patient Department (OPD) and In Patient Department (IPD) services.
• NRHM embodies health sector reform, structured around five pillars, each comprising overlapping core strategies:
  • Increasing community participation and ownership
  • Improving management capacity
  • Implementing flexible financing
  • Innovating in human resources development for the health sector

Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA)

• A crucial component of the National Rural Health Mission is the provision of a trained female community health activist, ASHA (Accredited Social Health Activist), in every village. ASHA, elected from the village itself, acts as an interface between the community and the public health system.

Key components of ASHA include:

• ASHA should primarily be a woman resident of the village, married, widowed, or divorced, preferably aged 25 to 45.
• She should be a literate woman with formal education up to class 8, with flexibility if no suitable candidate with this qualification is available.
• Continuous capacity building for ASHA involves multiple training episodes to acquire the necessary knowledge, skills, and confidence.
• ASHA mobilizes the community, facilitating access to health services available at the Anganwadi, sub-center, or primary health centers, such as immunization, Ante Natal Check-up (ANC), Post Natal Check-up (PNC), supplementary nutrition, and sanitation.
• She acts as a depot holder for essential provisions like Oral Rehydration Therapy (ORT), Iron Folic Acid Tablet (IFA), chloroquine, Disposable Delivery Kits (DDK), oral pills, condoms, etc.
• ASHA receives institutional support from various committees, health workers, and trainers at the village level to fulfill her roles effectively.
• Launched in 2014 in Gurugram and Delhi, the Urban Slum Health Action (USHA) program targets the detection, treatment, and prevention of anemia and malnutrition among mothers and children up to five years old.
• USHA’s objectives include enhancing maternal and child health, reducing Infant Mortality Rate (IMR) and morbidity, and improving the overall Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice (KAP) of communities regarding maternal and child health and nutrition.

National Urban Health Mission (NUHM)

• As a sub-mission of the National Health Mission (NHM), NUHM focuses on meeting the healthcare needs of the urban population, particularly the urban poor. It aims to provide essential primary healthcare services, reducing out-of-pocket expenses for treatment.
• NUHM strengthens existing healthcare services, targets people in slums, and collaborates with schemes related to wider determinants of health. These include drinking water, sanitation, school education, etc., implemented by the Ministries of Urban Development, Housing and Urban Poverty Alleviation, Human Resource Development, and Women and Child Development.
• NUHM’s goals are achieved through city-specific urban healthcare systems, institutional mechanisms for managing health challenges in a growing urban population, partnerships with communities and local bodies, and resource availability for essential primary healthcare for urban poor service providers and stakeholders.

Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)

• JSY, a continuation of the previous delivery allowance scheme, aims to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting institutional delivery among poor pregnant women.
• Pregnant women from BPL and SC, ST families receive assistance ranging from 500 for home delivery to 1500 for cesarean delivery. The eligibility criteria include being from a BPL family, having the first or second live delivery, being above 19 years, having ANC check-ups at least three times, and taking required medications.
• SC or ST women not in BPL families are also eligible if admitted to a general ward of a government or registered private hospital. Launched in 2005, JSY promotes institutional deliveries conducted by skilled birth attendants.

Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY)

• Launched in March 2006, PMSSY aims to rectify regional imbalances in affordable and reliable tertiary healthcare services and enhance facilities for quality medical education in the country.

Ayurveda, Yoga, and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy (AYUSH)

• The Indian System of Medicines has seen development and promotion through the integration of the AYUSH system into the national healthcare delivery, with a plan outlay of ₹990 crore allocated in 2012-13.
• To integrate AYUSH healthcare with mainstream allopathic services, states receive financial support for co-locating AYUSH facilities at PHCs, CHCs, and district hospitals. Essential drugs are supplied to standalone AYUSH hospitals or dispensaries.

The Anaemia Mukt Bharat Programme

• Launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, the Anaemia Mukt Bharat Programme aims to expedite the decline of anaemia across various age groups. It strengthens existing mechanisms and introduces new initiatives to combat anaemia.
• Initially launched as the National Nutritional Anaemia Prophylaxis Programme (NNAPP) in 1970, it was renamed Anaemia Mukt Bharat in 2018. Aligned with the POSHAN Abhiyan launched in March 2018, the program aims to reduce anaemia by 3% points annually in adults, children, and adolescents from 2018 to 2022.
• The strategy targets a 3% reduction in anaemia prevalence annually among children, adolescents, and women in the reproductive age group (15-49 years) from 2018 to 2022. The 6x6x6 strategy includes six target beneficiaries, six interventions, and six institutional mechanisms for effective implementation.

Women Empowerment Programmes

Several schemes and policies focus on the economic and social empowerment of women and child development:

Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana

• Launched by the National Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation (NSTFDC) on March 8, 2020, the Adivasi Mahila Sashaktikaran Yojana is a concessional scheme for the economic development of eligible ST women, enhancing their standard of living and providing financial independence.

Swadhar Greh

• Run by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, the Swadhar Greh scheme offers temporary accommodation, maintenance, and rehabilitative services to women and girls rendered homeless due to various challenging circumstances.
• The scheme envisions transitional shelter for women in need, creating an institutional framework for empowerment and access to support services. It ensures shelter, food, clothing, health needs, and economic and social security for women without social and economic support, aged 18 and above, including those deserted, survivors of natural disasters, released prisoners without family support, and victims of domestic violence or family discord.

PMMSK Scheme

• The Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra (PMMSK) scheme received approval from the Cabinet Committee on Economic Affairs in November 2017, covering the period from 2017-18 to 2019-20.
• PMMSK is conceived as a comprehensive support service aiming to empower rural women through skill development, digital literacy, health, nutrition, and employment opportunities.
• The Ministry of Women and Child Development will oversee the implementation of this scheme.

Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana

• The government introduced a new scheme, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, with an initial corpus of 100 crore, focused on raising awareness and enhancing the efficiency of delivering welfare services for women.
• The scheme emphasizes campaigns to sensitize the public about the challenges faced by the girl child and women.
• Early sensitization is crucial, leading to the inclusion of a separate chapter on gender mainstreaming in the school curriculum.

National Nutrition Mission (POSHAN Abhiyaan)

• Launched as an expansion of the Beti Bachao Beti Padhao program by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on International Women’s Day (8th March 2018), the National Nutrition Mission has key objectives.
• It aims to achieve proper nutritional status for children (0-6 years), adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers, addressing issues such as stunting, undernutrition, anaemia, and reducing low birth weight.
• The mission involves mapping various schemes related to malnutrition, real-time monitoring through ICT, robust convergence between schemes, incentivizing states and UTs, optimizing Anganwadi center functioning, and conducting social audits.
• The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, is the implementing agency, with NITI Aayog playing a crucial role.

Mission Shakti

• Mission Shakti is a mission-mode scheme focused on strengthening interventions for women’s safety, security, and empowerment. It aims for ‘women-led development’ by addressing women’s issues throughout their life cycle and making them equal partners in nation-building.
• The two sub-schemes, ‘Sambal’ and ‘Samarthya,’ target safety and security and empowerment, respectively.
• ‘Sambal’ includes components from the One Stop Centre, Women Helpline, and Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, with a new addition of Nari Adalats for dispute resolution and gender justice.
• ‘Samarthya’ includes components from Ujjwala, Swadhar Greh, Working Women Hostel, and modifications to existing schemes like the National Creche Scheme and Pradhan.
• The Samarthya scheme now incorporates ICDS under its umbrella, and a new component of Gap Funding for Economic Empowerment has been introduced.

Pradhan Mantri Surakshit Matritva Abhiyaan (PMSMA)

• Launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW), Government of India, the PMSMA aims to provide assured, comprehensive, and quality antenatal care universally and free of cost to all pregnant women.
• The program ensures fixed-day assured antenatal care on the ninth of every month during the second and third trimester. It includes identifying and following up on high-risk pregnancies, with a color-coded sticker system on the MCP card indicating risk factors:
  • Green Sticker for women with no detected risk factors.
  • Red Sticker for women with high-risk pregnancies.
• The initiative involves engaging the private sector systematically, encouraging private practitioners to volunteer, developing awareness strategies, and appealing to the private sector for participation in government health facilities.

Skill Development Schemes

• Launched in 2015 as part of the goal to make India ‘Atmanirbhar’ (self-reliant).
• The National Skill Development Fund (NSDF), established on December 23, 2008, aims to enhance, stimulate, and develop the skills of Indian youth through sector-specific programs.
• The project’s objective is to establish and implement comprehensive skill development training programs that bridge the gap between industry demands and skill requirements, fostering overall national growth.
• Skill India programs offer 100% centrally sponsored demand-driven short-term training courses based on ‘Modular Employable Skills’ in consultation with industry experts.

Startup Seed Fund Scheme

• Unveiled on January 16, 2016, the Startup India Initiative’s action plan included the creation of the Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) by the Department for Promotion of Industry and Internal Trade (DPIIT).
• The SISFS, with an outlay of 945 crores, provides financial assistance to startups for proof of concept, prototype development, product trials, market entry, and commercialization.
• Over the next four years (2021-2025), it aims to support approximately 3,600 entrepreneurs through 300 incubators, overseen by the Experts Advisory Committee (EAC) constituted by DPIIT.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Rin Yojana

• This scheme offers loans to students admitted to technical courses in government-recognized training institutes, schools, colleges, and polytechnics to cover their course fees.
• The loan amount ranges from 5,000 to 1.5 lakhs

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)

• The scheme, initiated in 2015, encourages and promotes skill development in the country by offering free short-duration skill training. It incentivizes youth through monetary rewards for skill certification, aiming to enhance their employability in alignment with industrial demands.

Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana 2.0

• The scheme’s objective is to promote skill development nationwide, aligning with other government missions like Make in India, Digital India, Swachh Bharat, and Smart Cities. Its goals include enabling youth to undergo industry-designed quality skill training, enhancing workforce productivity, and aligning skill training with the country’s actual needs. The aim is to benefit 10 million youth over four years (2016-2020).

SANKALP

• Skill Acquisition and Knowledge Awareness for Livelihood Promotion (SANKALP) is a program launched on January 19, 2018, with World Bank loan assistance, aiming to enhance the quality and quantity of short-term skill training. The program focuses on strengthening institutions, improving market connectivity, and including marginalized sections of society.

Sukanya Samridhi Yojana

• Launched in January 2015 under the BBBP campaign, Sukanya Samridhi Yojana is a small deposit scheme for girl children. The scheme provides social security for girls, allowing parents to open bank accounts for girls under 10 years of age. With an interest rate of 9.1%, the account can be opened in post offices or authorized branches of commercial banks. It remains operative for 21 years, and the girl receives the entire amount when she turns 21. Partial withdrawal for higher education expenses is allowed after the girl turns 18.

Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana

• Launched on May 1, 2016, by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, this scheme aims to provide cooking gas connections to 5 million beneficiaries below the poverty line (BPL) in the next three years. The main objectives include providing free LPG gas connections in the name of the female member, offering a cylinder, and promoting clean cooking fuel accessibility.
• The scheme covers both rural and urban families falling under the Below Poverty Line (BPL) category. A subsidy of 1600 will be credited to Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana banks.

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme

• Launched on October 2, 1975, the ICDS scheme stands as one of the world’s largest and most distinctive programs for early childhood development. It serves as India’s commitment to the well-being of its children, addressing the challenges of providing pre-school education and combating malnutrition, morbidity, learning capacity reduction, and mortality.

National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW)

• Operationalized in 2010-11, this initiative aims for holistic women’s empowerment by enhancing convergence and gendering policies across ministries. The mission establishes institutional structures at the state level, including State Mission authorities and State Resource Centres for Women (SRCWs), to spearhead women’s empowerment initiatives nationwide.

Other Women Empowerment Programmes

• Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEPW) (established in 2003-04) enhances women’s self-reliance and autonomy by boosting productivity and enabling income-generating activities.
• Swayamsiddha (established in 2001) organizes women into self-help groups, forming a robust institutional base.
• Swadhar (established in 1995) supports women in becoming independent in spirit, thought, and action, enabling them to control their lives rather than being victims of others’ actions.
• Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA) (established in 1982) improves the socio-economic status of poor women in rural areas by creating groups for income-generating activities on a self-sustaining basis.
• Dhana Laxmi (established in March 2008) is a conditional cash transfer scheme for the girl child, encouraging families to educate girls and prevent child marriage.
• Ujjwala (established on December 4, 2007) is a comprehensive scheme for preventing trafficking, encompassing prevention, rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration, and repatriation of victims.
• Gender Budgeting Scheme (GBS) (established in 2004) empowers women through budgeting initiatives.
• Swawlamban (NORAD) has been implemented by the Department of Women and Child Development, Government of India, with partial assistance from Norway since 1982. Its objective is to provide training and skills to women for sustainable employment or self-employment, focusing on poor and needy women, including those from Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs).

Social Defence

• Pradhan Mantri Laghu Vyapari Maan-dhan Scheme
• Launched on September 12, 2019, this voluntary and contributory pension scheme caters to traders, shopkeepers, and self-employed persons. Enrolment is done voluntarily, contributing to financial security during old age.
• through its network of 3.50 lakh centers across the country.
• Traders aged between 18 to 40 years, with an annual turnover not exceeding ₹1.5 crore, and not affiliated with EPFO/ESIC/NPS/PM-SYM, or income tax payers, can enroll in the scheme.
• Under the program, the beneficiary contributes 50% monthly, matched by an equal contribution from the Central Government.
• Subscribers become eligible for a minimum monthly pension of ₹3,000 after reaching 60 years of age.

Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)

• This Central Government-backed accident insurance scheme in India was mentioned in the 2015 budget and formally launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 8 in Kolkata. PMSBY aims to provide a beneficial insurance scheme to poor people following the success of Jan Dhan Yojana.
• Benefits include death benefits up to ₹2 lakh and coverage for irrecoverable and total loss of limbs, eyes, or one leg or foot. The premium is ₹12 per annum for each member, and individuals should be between 18 to 70 years old. The scheme was simultaneously launched in 160 cities and towns across India.

Pradhan Mantri Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY)

• PMJJBY, launched on May 9, 2015, is a government-backed life insurance scheme in India. It offers term life insurance coverage on the death of the policyholder. Available to individuals between 18 to 50 years, the policy requires an annual payment of ₹330. The risk coverage provided is ₹2 lakh, and the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC) administers the plan. Other insurers can participate through tie-ups with specific banks.

Atal Pension Yojana (APY)

• Launched on April 9, 2015, APY aims to create a universal social security system, especially for poor and underprivileged Indians, and workers in the unorganized sector. Administered by the Pension Fund Regulatory and Development Authority (PFRDA), APY provides a definite pension to all Indians who contribute accordingly. Eligible contributors are Indian nationals aged 18 to 40 years. In the event of the pension account holder’s death, contributions go to the family or nominee of the account holder.

National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP)

• The National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) is a prominent welfare initiative of the Government of India inaugurated on August 15, 1995. As per Article 41 of the Indian Constitution, the state is mandated to provide public assistance to citizens in cases of unemployment, old age, sickness, disablement, and other instances of undeserved want within its economic capacity and development limits. The scheme represents a significant stride toward realizing the constitutional directive principle.
• NSAP currently encompasses the following components: Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme (IGNOAPS), Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS), Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS), National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS), and Annapurna Scheme.

National Old Age Pension Scheme

• This scheme offers a pension to elderly individuals living below the poverty line.
• Applicants must be 60 years or above (revised from 65 in 2009).
• They may reside in rural or urban areas but must be living below the poverty line.
• The pension amount is ₹300 per month for applicants aged 60 to 79. For applicants aged 80 and above, the amount was revised to ₹500 per month as of the 2012 budget.

National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS)

• In case of the death of the primary breadwinner of a household living below the poverty line, a lump sum grant of ₹20,000 (from fiscal 2012-13) is provided to the household. The primary breadwinner, male or female, must be a substantial contributor to the household income and must have passed away between the ages of 18 and 64.

Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS)

• Launched in 1995 as part of the NSAP, this scheme provides a monthly pension of ₹300 (from fiscal 2012-13) to widows aged 40 to 59 living below the poverty line. The Pradhan of the Gram Panchayat reviews the list of widows and reports cases of re-marriage.

Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS)

• A component of the NSAP, IGNDPS provides a central assistance of ₹300 per month to persons with severe or multiple disabilities aged 18 to 79, belonging to households living below the poverty line according to the criteria prescribed by the Government of India.

Other Social Protection Programmes

• Acknowledging the informal sector’s significant share in the total workforce, the government focuses on expanding social security schemes to offer a minimum level of social protection to workers in the unorganized sector and ensure inclusive development. Some of these programmes include:

Ujjwala 2.0

• Launched in May 2016, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) aims to provide deposit-free LPG connections. The initial target of 5 crore connections was subsequently increased to 8 crore and was achieved in September 2019, seven months ahead of schedule.
• The implementation of PMUY significantly contributed to the increase in national LPG coverage from 61.9% as of April 1, 2016, to 99.8% as of April 1, 2021.
• Furthermore, in the budget speech on February 1, 2021, an announcement was made to cover an additional 1 crore beneficiaries under the Ujjwala scheme.
• In its revised version, the Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana was launched as Ujjwala 2.0 by the Honourable Prime Minister in August 2021. While it covers all existing eligible categories of beneficiaries, Ujjwala 2.0 introduces specific relaxations for migrants who can submit a simple self-declaration as an address proof, a process that used to be a major hassle for migrants. Additionally, all Ujjwala 2.0 beneficiaries are provided with a free first refill and stove. As of December 31, 2021, a total of 96 lakh deposit-free LPG connections have been released under the Ujjwala 2.0 scheme, including 2.2 lakh for migrants.

One Nation One Ration Card Scheme

• Union Minister Ram Vilas Paswan launched the NDA Government’s ambitious One Nation One Ration Card scheme on June 1, 2020. This card enables migrant workers to access affordable food grains with a single ration card across the country.
• The scheme allows all eligible families under the National Food Security Act to obtain ration from any fair price shop in their vicinity based on biometrics. Under the scheme, automation of all 24,980 Fair Price Shops in the states has been completed by installing POS machines. The price of wheat is ₹3 per kg, and rice is ₹2 per kg.

Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana

• The Rashtriya Vayoshri Yojana is a scheme providing physical aids and assisted-living devices for senior citizens belonging to the BPL category. Launched in Nellore, Andhra Pradesh, on April 1, 2017, it is the first-of-its-kind Central Sector Scheme (CCS) in India, fully funded by the Central Government. The expenditure for implementing the scheme will be met from the senior citizen welfare fund.

Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY)

• The Janashree Bima Yojana (JBY) has been merged with the AABY to ensure better administration of life insurance cover for economically backward sections of society. The scheme extends life and disability cover to individuals between the ages of 18 and 59 years living below and marginally above the poverty line. It covers 47 identified vocational and occupational groups, including rural landless households.
• The AABY provides insurance cover of ₹30,000 on natural death, ₹75,000 on death due to an accident, ₹37,500 for partial permanent disability due to an accident, and ₹75,000 on death or total permanent disability due to an accident. The scheme also offers an add-on benefit of a scholarship of ₹100 per month per child, paid on a half-yearly basis, to a maximum of two children per member studying in classes 9 to 12 (including ITI courses).

Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY)

• The government has launched the Pradhan Mantri Vaya Vandana Yojana (PMVVY) to provide social security during old age and protect individuals aged 60 and above against a future fall in their interest income due to uncertain market conditions.
• The scheme ensures old age income security for senior citizens by providing an assured pension/return linked to the subscription amount based on the government’s guarantee to the Life Insurance Corporation of India (LIC).

National Social Security Fund

• A National Social Security Fund for unorganised sector workers, with an initial allocation of ₹1,000 crore, has been set up.
• This fund is designed to support programs benefiting weavers, toddy tappers, rickshaw pullers, beedi workers, etc.

Annapurna Scheme

• On April 1, 2000, the Annapurna scheme was introduced to provide food security for senior citizens who, despite being eligible, remained uncovered by other government schemes. Under the Annapurna scheme, eligible beneficiaries receive 10 kg of food grains free of cost each month. Initially, the scheme aims to benefit 20% of individuals eligible for pensions in states or union territories.

Swachh Bharat (Gramin)

• The Swachh Bharat Mission, launched by the Prime Minister on October 2, 2014, set the goal of declaring all villages, Gram Panchayats, Districts, States, and Union Territories in India Open-Defecation Free (ODF) by October 2, 2019, Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary. The mission focuses on sustaining ODF behaviors, leaving no one behind, and ensuring accessible solid and liquid waste management facilities. The Swachh Bharat Mission has two components: rural (SBM Gramin) and urban (SBM Urban). The Second Phase of SBM Gramin, known as ODF Plus, aims to reinforce ODF behaviors and provide interventions for the safe management of waste in villages by 2024-25.
• The Swachh Bharat Mission Urban (SBM-U) was initiated on October 2, 2014, with the goal of making urban India open defecation-free and achieving scientific municipal solid waste management in statutory towns.

Indian Economy

• SBM Urban’s objectives include eliminating open defecation, eradicating manual scavenging, implementing modern and scientific municipal solid waste management, promoting behavioral change regarding sanitation practices, generating awareness about sanitation and its link to public health, capacity augmentation for urban local bodies, and creating an enabling environment for private sector participation in capital and operational expenditures.

National Health Policy, 2017

• Launched in 2017, the National Health Policy focuses on providing superior health services to all age groups and genders. It aims to offer universal access to high-quality healthcare services at an affordable cost, integrate health orientation into all developmental policies, reduce premature mortality from major diseases by 25% by 2025, and improve overall health status through promotive, palliative, and rehabilitative services.

Nand Ghar Yojana

• The Nand Ghar Yojana modernizes Anganwadis under the Integrated Child Development Scheme (ICDS), incorporating infrastructural improvements.
• The initiative seeks to revolutionize the lives of 70 million children and 20 million women across the 1.37 million Anganwadi centers by offering online education, primary healthcare, nutritional support, and economic skill training for women throughout India.
• The inaugural Nand Ghar was established in the Nagepur district of Varanasi in April 2016.
• In order to create an integrated model, Nand Ghars ensure that women undergo entrepreneurship training, including skill enhancement, to initiate their micro-enterprises. This comprehensive approach includes extensive skill training and credit linkages, enhancing their contribution to the Indian economy.

Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram

• The Rashtriya Kishor Swasthya Karyakram, launched on January 7, 2014, operates on key principles of adolescent participation, leadership, equity, inclusion, gender equity, and strategic partnerships with other sectors and stakeholders.
• The program envisions empowering all adolescents in India to realize their full potential by making informed and responsible decisions related to their health and well-being. The objectives include improving nutrition, sexual and reproductive health, enhancing mental health, preventing injuries and violence, and preventing substance misuse among adolescents.

National Rural Health Mission

• The National Rural Health Mission (NRHM), initiated on April 12, 2005, by the Honorable Prime Minister, aims to provide accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare to the rural population, especially vulnerable groups. The mission focuses on establishing a fully functional, community-owned, decentralized health delivery system, addressing various determinants of health such as water, sanitation, education, nutrition, social, and gender equality.

PM Gati Shakti Scheme

• The PM Gati Shakti scheme, also known as the National Master Plan for multi-modal connectivity, aims to coordinate planning and execute infrastructure projects, reducing logistics costs. It will absorb the National Infrastructure Pipeline launched in 2019 with a focus on integrated planning and implementation. The scheme aims to increase cargo handling capacity, reduce turnaround time at ports, develop industrial and defense corridors, extend 4G connectivity to all villages, and expand the gas pipeline network by adding 17,000 km.
• It aims to achieve the ambitious targets set by the government for 2024-25, including the expansion of the national highway network to 2 lakh km and the establishment of over 200 new airports, heliports, and water aerodromes. This initiative addresses persistent issues such as disjointed planning, lack of standardization, clearance challenges, and timely infrastructure creation and utilization.

Gati Shakti Digital Platform

• This entails the establishment of a unified platform to plan and implement infrastructure projects efficiently. It facilitates real-time coordination among various ministries and departments, addressing challenges related to infrastructure planning and execution.

Power Tex India

• Launched on April 3, 2017, Power Tex India is a comprehensive scheme for the development of the powerloom sector, simultaneously introduced at over 45 locations nationwide. Its components include in-situ upgradation of plain powerlooms, group workshed scheme, yarn bank scheme, common facility center, Pradhan Mantri Credit Scheme for Powerloom Weavers, solar energy scheme for powerlooms, Tex Venture Capital Fund, and grant-in-aid for modernization and upgradation of Powerloom Service Centres (PSCs).

USTAD Yojana

• Initiated on May 14, 2015, by Union Minister Mukhtar Abbas Naqvi, the Upgrading the Skills and Training in Traditional Arts/Crafts for Development (USTAD) scheme in Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, aims to preserve the rich heritage of traditional arts and crafts of minorities. It provides assistance to traditional artisans to enhance their products’ compatibility with modern markets, fully funded by the Union Government.

Setu Bharatam Yojana

• Launched on March 4, 2016, by PM Narendra Modi, the Setu Bharatam project aims to eliminate railway crossings on national highways by 2019. Objectives include constructing bridges, creating over 280 under and over railway track bridges, approving 64 bridges by the end of 2016, and incorporating scientific techniques in bridge construction.

UDAN

• UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Naagrik) is a regional airport development program under the Regional Connectivity Scheme (RCS) to upgrade under-serviced air routes. Launched on June 15, 2016, as part of the National Civil Aviation Policy, UDAN makes air travel affordable and enhances economic development through joint funding by the Central and State Governments.

Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana (RKVY)

• Introduced on September 17, 2021, under the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), Rail Kaushal Vikas Yojana is a training program by the Indian Railway aiming to train 50,000 candidates over three years.
• An initial batch of 1000 candidates will undergo training in four trades—electrician, welder, machinist, and fitter. The training program, encompassing 1000 hours, will be conducted across 75 Railways Training Institutes. The curriculum for this training initiative has been meticulously crafted by Banaras Locomotive Works, the nodal production unit overseeing the scheme.

Government Initiatives to Foster Skill Development

• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY): This initiative aims to offer free skill training opportunities to the youth of India.
• Skills Strengthening for Industrial Value Enhancement (STRIVE): This World Bank-assisted Government of India project concentrates on enhancing the performance of Industrial Training Institutes (ITIs) and apprenticeships, with the goal of improving the relevance and efficiency of skills training.
• Skill Saathi Counselling Programme: Skill Saathi programs are designed to sensitize the youth about various opportunities under the Skill India Mission, fostering an increased aspiration for skill development.
• SANKALP: This centrally sponsored scheme, in collaboration with the World Bank, focuses on creating a district-level skilling ecosystem through convergence and coordination.
• Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Kendra (PMKK): These state-of-the-art model training centers are envisioned to establish benchmark institutions, showcasing aspirational value for competency-based skill development training.
• Industrial Training Centres (ITIs): Aiming to expand and modernize the existing long-term training ecosystem in India, ITIs offer vocational courses and collaborate closely with CBSE to develop Hubs of Excellence in Skills for school students.

Employment, Poverty, Rural and Urban Development Programmes till 2015

Name of the Programmes	Years of Beginning	Objectives/Description	Budget
Training Rural Youth for Self-Employment (TRYSEM)	1979	Programme for training rural youth for self-employment.	2000
Integrated Rural Development Programme (IRDP)	1980	All-round development of the rural poor through a programme of asset endowment for self-employment.
National Rural Employment Programme (NREP)	1980	To provide profitable employment opportunities to the rural poor.
Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme (RLEGP)	1983	For providing employment to landless farmers and laborers.
Jawahar Rozgar Yojana	1989	For providing employment to rural unemployed.
Nehru Rozgar Yojana	1989	For providing employment to urban unemployed.
Scheme of Urban Wage Employment (SUWE)	1990	To provide wage employment after arranging basic facilities for poor people in urban areas with a population less than 1 lakh.
Employment Assurance Scheme (EAS)	1993	To provide employment of at least 100 days in a year in villages.
Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY)	1997	To provide gainful employment to urban unemployed and underemployed poor through self-employment or wage employment.
Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (SGRY)	2001	For eliminating rural poverty and unemployment and promoting self-employment through establishing micro-enterprises in rural areas. Targets to cover 50% SCs/STs, 40% women, 15% minorities, and 3% disabled.
Pradhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana (PMGY)	2001	Proposed in 2002-03 Employment guarantee in most poor districts.
Fidhan Mantri Gramodaya Yojana (PMGY)		Focus on village-level development in five critical areas, i.e., primary health, primary education, housing, rural roads, and drinking water and nutrition, with the overall objective of improving the quality of life of people in rural areas.

Name of the Programs	Years of Beginning	Objectives/Description
Food for Work Programme	2001	To provide food through wage employment in drought-prone areas in eight states, partly in cash and partly in foodgrains.
MGNREGA (Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act)	2nd February, 2006	Aims at enhancing livelihood security by providing at least 100 days of guaranteed wage employment to every unskilled manual worker in rural areas. Scheme was notified throughout the country with effect from 1st April, 2008. Renamed as MGNREGA from 2nd October, 2009. SGRY and Food for Work Programme merged into it.
Prime Minister’s Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP)	2008	To generate employment opportunities in rural and urban areas through setting up new self-employment ventures or projects or micro enterprises.
Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)	2015	To upgrade urban infrastructure across 500 towns and cities.

Rural Development Programmes till 2015 

Name of the Programs	Years of Beginning	Objectives/Description
Council for Advancement of People’s Actions and Rural Technology (CAPART)	1986	To provide assistance for rural prosperity.
Integrated Wasteland Development Programme (IWDP)	1989-90	For the development of wasteland and degraded lands.
District Rural Development Agency (DRDA)	1993	To provide financial assistance for rural development.
Member of Parliament Local Area Development Programme (MPLAD)	1993	Provides 2 crore to each MP for development activities in their constituency. The amount was raised to 5 crore from 2011.
Indira Awas Yojana	1999	To help in the construction of new dwelling units and conversion of unserviceable kutcha houses into pucca or semi-pucca for members of SCs or STs and rural poor below the poverty line by extending grant-in-aid.
Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC)	1999	Follows a community-led and people-centered approach with an emphasis on Information, Communication, and Education (ICE) for the demand generation of sanitation facilities.
Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)	2000	Aims to line all villages with pucca roads.
Annapurna Scheme	2000	To ensure food security for all, create a hunger-free India, and reform and improve the Public Distribution System to serve the poorest of the poor in rural and urban areas.
Valmiki Ambedkar Awas Yojana (VABAY)	2001	Facilitates the construction and upgradation of dwelling units for slum dwellers.
Nirmal Gram Puruskar (NGP)	2003	An incentive scheme to encourage Panchayati Raj Institutions (PRIs) to take up sanitation promotion.
Bharat Nirman Programme	–	Development of rural infrastructure, including components such as irrigation, water supply, housing, road, telephone, and electricity.
Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM)	2005	Has two components: (a) Basic services to urban poor and (b) Integrated Housing and Slum Development Programme. Aims to assist cities and towns in taking up housing and infrastructural facilities for the urban poor in 65 cities in the country.

Name of the Programs	Years of Beginning	Objectives/Description
National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP)	2009	Aims to move forward from achieving habitation level coverage towards household level drinking water coverage through multiple sources like groundwater and surface water.
Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHIP)	2009	Aims to construct 1 million houses for the Economically Weaker Sections (EWS), Low-Income Groups (LIG), or Middle-Income Groups (MIG), with at least 25% for EWS. Seeks to operationalize the National Habitat Policy, 2007.
Saansad Adarsh Gram Yojana	2014	Rural development and cleanliness program.
Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission	2015	Aims to deliver integrated project-based infrastructure in rural areas.
Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana	2015	Power supply to rural areas.
Deendayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana	2015	Skill upgradation of rural youth.
Swadhar	1995	Empowers women to become independent in spirit, thought, and action, and to have full control over their lives.
Swayam Siddha	2001	Organizes women into Self-Help Groups to form a strong institutional base.
Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP)	2003-04	Increases the self-reliance and autonomy of women by enhancing their productivity and enabling them to take up income generation activities.
Ujjwala	2007	A comprehensive scheme for the prevention of trafficking with specific components: prevention, rescue, rehabilitation, reintegration, and repatriation of victims.
Dhan Laxmi	2008	Conditional cash transfer scheme for the girl child to encourage families to educate the girl child and prevent child marriage.
Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY)	2010	Improves the health and nutrition status of pregnant, lactating women, and infants.
National Mission for Empowerment of Women (NMEW)	2010	Aims at achieving empowerment of women socially, economically, and educationally by securing convergence of schemes.
Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG)- Sabla	2010	Empowers adolescent girls (11 to 18 years) by improving their nutritional and health status, upgrading home skills, life skills, and vocational skills.
Reproductive and Child Health Programme	1951	Provides quality integrated and sustainable Primary Health Care services to women in the reproductive age group and young children with a special focus on family planning and immunization.
Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)	1975	Enhances the health, nutrition, and learning opportunities of infants, young children (0 to 6 years), and their mothers.
Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme for the Children of Working Mothers	2006	Focuses on the overall development of children, childhood protection, complete immunization, and awareness generation among parents on malnutrition, health, and education.
Scheme for Welfare of Working Children in Need of Care and Protection	2008-09	Provides non-formal education, vocational training, etc., to working children to facilitate their entry or re-entry into mainstream education.
Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS)	2009-10	Provides a safe and secure environment for the comprehensive development of children who are in need of care and protection, as well as children in conflict with the law.
Bal Bandhu Scheme	2011	Provides protection for children in areas of civil unrest, implemented by NCPCR with a grant from PM’s National Relief Fund.
Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Yojana	2014	Aims to generate awareness and improve the efficiency of the delivery of welfare services meant for women.

Name of the Programmes	Years of Beginning	Objectives/Description
Mid-Day Meal Scheme (largest feeding school programme in the world)	1995	Improving the nutritional status of children in classes 1-8 in government, local body, and government-aided schools and EGS and AIE centers with the end objective of enabling disadvantaged and poor children to attend school regularly.
Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)	2001	All children (6 to 14) complete five years of primary schooling by 2007; all children complete eight years of elementary schooling by 2010; bridge all gender and category gaps at the primary stage by 2007 and at the elementary education level by achieving universal retention by 2010.
National Programme for Education of Girls at Elementary Level (NPEGEL)	2003	Focused intervention to reach the hardest-to-reach girls and provides for model schools in every cluster with more intense community mobilization and support for girls’ enrollment in schools.
Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas (KGBVs) (merged with SSA on 1st April, 2007)	2004	To set up residential schools at the upper primary level for girls belonging to SC, ST, OBC, or Minority communities. The scheme is being implemented in rural and urban areas with female literacy below 30% and the national average, respectively.
Rashtriya Madhyäriik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA) or Scheme for Universalization of Access for Secondary Education (SUCCESS)	2009	Aims at raising the enrollment rate at the secondary stage from 52.26% in 2005 to 75% in the next five years by providing a secondary school within a reasonable distance of 5 km of any habitation; ensure universal access by 2017 and universal retention by 2020.
Saakshar Bharat	2009	National Literacy mission has been recast as Saakshar Bharat. The aim is to target all adults in the age group of 15 and above, with its primary focus on women.
Inclusive Education for the Disabled at Secondary Stage (IEDSS) – replaced Integrated Education for Disabled Children (IEDC)	2009-10	Provides 100% central assistance for the inclusive education of disabled children studying in class IX-XII in government, local body, and government-aided schools.

Name of the Programmes	Years of Beginning	Objectives/Description
National Rural Health Mission (NRHM)	2005	To provide effective healthcare to the rural population with a special focus on 18 states with weak health indices or infrastructure; to raise public spending on health from 0.9% of GDP to 2.3% of GDP, reduction of IMR and MMR, and universal access to healthcare with an emphasis on women.
Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) – a core component of NRHM	2005	Focus on demand promotion for institutional deliveries in states and regions and targets lowering of MMR; it is a conditional cash transfer program to increase births in health facilities.
Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY)	2010	To correct regional imbalance in tertiary healthcare and augment facilities for quality medical education in the country, setting up six AIIMS-like institutions in the first phase, and in the second phase, two more AIIMS-like institutions.
Ayushman Bharat or Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana	2018	Health Insurance Scheme for approximately 10 crore families identified through socio-economic caste census database. The scheme guarantees eligible families expenses of up to 5 lakhs per year in any government or empanelled private hospitals all over India.

Prelims facts

• Atal Innovation Mission is established under the NITI Aayog [IAS (Pre) 2019].
• The National Rural Employment Guarantee (NREG), now MGNREGA scheme, was initially implemented in 200 districts [UPPSC (Mains) 2006].
• The Development of Women and Children in Rural Areas (DWCRA) scheme is related to raising female members living below the poverty line [RAS/RTS (Pre) 1999].
• The Swarna Jayanti Shahari Rozgar Yojana (SJSRY) came into operation on 1st December, 1997 [IAS (Pre) 2000].
• Kaushal Vikas Yojana increases working capital [UPPSC (Mains) 2017].
• Jawahar Rozgar Yojana (JRY) was started in the Seventh Five Year Plan [IPSC (Pre) 2003].
• ‘Skill Development Initiative’ (SDI) was operationalized in 2008 [LIPPSC (Mains) 2010].
• The Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana was launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare [UPPSC (Mains) 2010].
• The Rajiv Gandhi Shilpi Swasthya Bima Yojana was launched by the Ministry of Textiles [UPPSC (Mains) 2010].
• Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS), launched in 1975 in India, is a scheme implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development.
• The concept of ‘Minimum Needs Programme’ is synonymous with the investment in the human approach [RAS/RTS (Pre) 1992, UPPSC (Mains) 2004].
• The scheme for the purpose of social security for the workers of the unorganized sector includes Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension Scheme and Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY) [UPPSC (Pre) 2021].
• Aashray Bima Yojana provides cover to people in case they get unemployed due to any reason and receive 30% of the salary in case of the loss of work [UP UDA/LDA (Pre) 2011].
• The ‘Unorganised Workers Social Security Act’ was passed in 2008 [UPPSC (Pre) 2015].
• ‘Vision 2020’ for India document is related to economic development [UPPSC (Pre) 20141].
• ‘Swavalamban Yojana’ was started in 2010 [UPPSC (Pre) 2016].
• ‘PM Kisan Maan Dhan Yojana’ was launched for the purpose of providing a pension to small  and marginal farmers on 12th September 2019 [RAS/RTS (Pre) 20211].
• In Pradhan Mantri Shram Yogi Maan Dhan Scheme, each subscriber shall receive the minimum assured pension of 3000 months after attaining the age of 60 years [BPSC (Pre) 2019].
• ‘Integrated Child Development Services’ scheme was started in 1975 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development [UPPSC (Pre) 2010].
• The Accessible India campaign is related to persons with disabilities [UPPSC (Pre) 2021].
• Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana was recognized as the world’s largest insurance scheme launched in India in September 2018 [BPSC (Pre) 2018].
• The National Health Authority is responsible for the implementation of Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana [RAS/RTS (Pre) 2021].
• ‘Rashtriya Vyosree Yojana’ for senior citizens was started in 2017 [CGPSC (Pre) 2018].
• The National Social Assistance Programme aims to provide old-age pension for the very poor [UPPSC (Pre) 2008].
• The objective of the Sangam scheme is helping persons with disabilities [UP UDA/LDA 2006, UPPSC (Pre) 2008].
• The ambitious government scheme launched in June 2011 to provide free healthcare facilities to pregnant women and infants is named ‘Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram’ [UPPSC (Mains) 2010, 2011].
• ‘Rupashree Yojana’ for the marriage of poor girls was launched by the West Bengal State Government [BPSC (Pre) 2017, 2018].
• The main aim of the ‘Janani Suraksha Yojana’ program is to promote and provide institutional deliveries and monetary assistance to the mother to meet the cost of delivery [LAS (Pre) 2012].

UPSC NCERT Practice Questions

1. Consider the following statements. IAS (Pre) 2000

1. The National Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) aims to bring together urban planning, economic growth and heritage conservation.

2. As per the announcement, the scheme will involve a partnership and local communities affordable technologies.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

2. Consider the following statements about the Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA).

1. It aims to enhance access to secondary education in India.

2. It has quality intervention schemes to ensure that all secondary schools conform to prescribed norms, removing gender, socio-economic and disability barriers.

3. It has the target to achieve universal retention by 2020.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 1 and 3

(c) 2 and 3

(d) All of these

3. Consider the following norms of the Mid-Day Meal scheme.

1. To provide a minimum of 450 calories of food.

2. To provide a minimum 12 gram of protein.

3. To provide adequate quantities of micro-nutrients like iron, folic acid, and vitamin A.

4. To provide adequate quantities of essential fatty acids and medicine for the common cold and diarrhea.

Which of the norms given above are correct about the Mid-Day Meal scheme?

(a) 1, 3 and 4

(b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 1, 2 and 4

(d) All of these

4. Consider the following statements.

1. Accidental insurance of 1 lakh is available to all RuPay Card holders in the age group of 18-60 where RuPay Card needs to be used once within two months of receipt.

2. Accidental insurance claim intimation should be given to his or her bank where of aunt is maintained within 30 days from the accident.

 Which of the statement(s) given of accidental Whirance coverage under Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana is/are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b)Only 2

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

5. Consider the following. IAS Pre 2012

1. Hotels and restaurants

2. Motor transport undertakings

3. Newspaper establishments

4. Private medical institutions

The employees of which of the above can have the ‘Social Security’ coverage under the Employees State Insurance scheme?

(a) 2 and 4

(c) 2 and 3

(b)1, 2 and 3

(d) All of these

6. How do District Rural Development Agencies (DRDAS) help in the reduction of rural poverty in India? IAS (Pre) 2012

1. DRDAs act as Panchayati Raj institutions in certain specified backward regions of the country.

2. DRDAs undertake an area-specific scientific study of the causes of poverty and malnutrition and prepare detailed remedial measures.

3. DRDAs secure inter-sectoral and inter-departmental coordination and cooperation for the effective implementation of anti-poverty programs.

4. DRDAs watch over and ensure effective utilization of the funds intended for anti-poverty programs. 

Which of the statements given above are correct?

(a) 2 and 4

(b) 1, 2 and 3

(c) 2 and 3

(d) All of these

7. Which one of the following statements is/are correct about the Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY)?

(a) It provides connectivity to all the unconnected habitations of more than 1000 persons in the rural areas by good quality all weather roads.

(b) It was launched in 2005 as a fully funded Centrally Sponsored Scheme.

(c) It provides connectivity to all unconnected habitations of more than 250 persons in the hilly and desert areas by good quality all weather roads. 

(d) Both a and c

(e) All of the above

8. Consider the following statements.

1. MGNREGA was launched in the Eleventh Five Year Plan.

2. Indira Awas Yojana was launched in the Ninth Five Year Plan

 Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) Both 1 and 2.

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

9. Consider the following statements about Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana.

1. Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) is a flagship outcome-based skill training scheme.

2. It was unveiled anveited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on 20th March, 2015. 

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

10. In order to provide pensions to workers of the unorganised sector, which one among the following schemes has been launched by the government?

(a) Swabhiman

(b) Swavalamban

(c) Swadhar

(d) Aadhaar

11. Janani Suraksha Yojana focuses on

1. reducing maternal mortality rates.

2. reducing infant mortality rates.

3. increasing life expectancy among women.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 and 3

(c) Only 1

(d) All of the above

12. Which of the following are the objectives of Nirmal Gram Puruskar?

1. Bringing sanitation to the forefront of rural development discourse

2. Incentivising the PRIs.

3. Increasing social mobilization.

Select the correct answer using the codes given below.

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 1 and 3

(d) All of the above

13. Which of the following are the major strategic shifts under the proposed National Rural Livelihood mission?

1. Focus of allocation- based strategy

2. Making SHGs the prime movers of rural development.

3. Making SHGs a sub-ordinate banking institutions for making available easy credit.

Select the correct answer by using the codes given below.

(a) 1 and 2

(b) 2 and 3

(c) 1 and 3

 (d) None of these

14. Consider the following statements on NREGA (National Rural Employment Guarantee Act) of 2005.

1. It is not a legally enforceable right to 60 days of employment.

2. It provided economic and not social security to rural workers.

3. It is not universal in the sense, it is applicable only to BPL families.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) Only 3

(d) None of the above

15. Consider the following statements.

1. The Poshan Krishi Kosh aims to reduce malnutrition among women and children across the country.

2 . maternal death in India. SUMAN scheme aimed for zero preventable

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

16. Consider the following statements about Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY).

1. Under RSBY the premium is shared on 85: 15 basis by the Centre and State Governments.

2. In the case of the North-Eastern states and Jammu and Kashmir, under RSBY the premium is shared in a 90: 10 ratio.

Which of the statement(s) given above is/are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) Both 1 and 2

(d) Neither 1 nor 2

17. Consider the following statements in relation to Janani Suraksha Yojana. UPPSC (Pre) 2023

1. It is a safe motherhood intervention of the State Health Departments. 

2. Its objective is to reduce maternal and neonatal mortality among poor pregnant women.

3. It aims to promote institutional delivery among poor pregnant women.

4. Its objective includes providing public health facilities to sick infants up to one year of age.

How many of the statement(s) given above are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) Only 3

(d) All of the above

18. Consider the following undertakes in the content of interventions being undertaken under the Anaemia Mukt Bharat Strategy. UPPSC (Pre) 2023

1. It rodes hopy, adolescents supplementation top preschool children, adolescents, and pregnant women.

2. It runs a campaign for delayed cord clamping at the time of childbirth.

3. It provides for periodic deworming to children and adolescents.

4. It addresses non-nutritional causes of anaemia in endemic pocket and huorous on malaria, hemoglobinopathies and fluorosis.

How many of the statements given above are correct?

(a) Only 1

(b) Only 2

(c) Only 3

(d) All of these

Know Right Answer

1 (d)

2 (d)

3 (b)

4 (b)

5 (a)

6 (d)

7 (c)

8 (b)

9 (c)

10 (b)

11 (a)

12 (d)

13 (b)

14 (d)

15 (c)

16 (c)

17 (b)

18 (c)

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: What is a social welfare scheme?

A1: A social welfare scheme is a government-sponsored program designed to improve the well-being and quality of life of citizens, especially those facing economic hardships or specific challenges. These schemes aim to provide financial support, healthcare, education, and other essential services to individuals and communities in need.

Q2: How are social welfare schemes funded?

A2: Social welfare schemes are typically funded through a combination of government budgets, taxes, and sometimes external aid or grants. Governments allocate funds from their budgets to implement and sustain these programs. The funding may come from general taxation or specific earmarked taxes dedicated to social welfare initiatives. Additionally, in some cases, international organizations or donor countries may contribute funds to support social welfare projects.

Q3: What are examples of social welfare schemes?

A3: Examples of social welfare schemes include:

1. Public Health Programs: Initiatives that provide access to healthcare services, vaccinations, and medical facilities for disadvantaged populations.
2. Education Programs: Schemes that offer financial assistance, scholarships, or free education to ensure that all citizens have access to quality education.
3. Social Security Programs: Programs that provide financial assistance, pensions, or disability benefits to elderly individuals, widows, or people with disabilities.

In case you still have your doubts, contact us on 9811333901. 

For UPSC Prelims Resources, Click here

For Daily Updates and Study Material:

Join our Telegram Channel – Edukemy for IAS

• 1. Learn through Videos – here
• 2. Be Exam Ready by Practicing Daily MCQs – here
• 3. Daily Newsletter – Get all your Current Affairs Covered – here
• 4. Mains Answer Writing Practice – here

Visit our YouTube Channel – here