UGC NET – General Awareness & Current Affairs
Topic: Government Schemes
Why this topic matters
UGC NET exams test your knowledge of current affairs. A strong grasp of major government schemes demonstrates policy awareness, a key skill for academics, researchers, and future educators.
1. Simple Explanation
- Government schemes are structured programmes launched by central or state governments to address social, economic, or developmental needs.
- They are usually time‑bound, target‑specific, and funded through the national or state budgets (and sometimes through external aid).
- Schemes cover diverse areas: education, health, agriculture, rural development, digital inclusion, women empowerment, etc.
- Most schemes are publicly announced in the Union Budget, the Annual Reports of ministries, or via press releases.
2. Key Points to Remember
| Sector | Representative Scheme(s) | Objective | Target Group | Launch Year | Key Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Education | Right to Education (RTE) Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) UGC/CSIR scholarships |
Provide free, compulsory schooling; skill development; higher‑education support | 6‑14 yrs children; youth; students | 2009; 2015; 1995 | 14‑yr free schooling; 4‑hr skill training; merit‑based scholarships |
| Health | Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) |
Universal health coverage; accident insurance | All citizens; below‑poverty | 2018; 2018 | 5 lakh coverage for 5,000 families; free hospitalization |
| Agriculture | Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) |
Crop insurance; income support | Farmers | 2016; 2019 | 80% crop coverage; ₹60k support |
| Rural Development | Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY‑R) Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana (DAY) |
Affordable housing; poverty alleviation | Rural poor | 2015; 2015 | 90% of homes to be KBC certified |
| Digital India | Digital India Mission e‑Sanjeevani |
Digital infrastructure; e‑health | All citizens | 2015 | 1.5 lakh ‘India Stack’ applications |
| Women & Children | Beti Bachao Beti Padhao Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) |
Gender equality; employment | Girls; rural families | 2015; 2005 | 3‑year support to girl children; 100 days work |
| Environment | National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) Pradhan Mantri Jal Shakti Yojana (PMJSY) |
Clean energy; water conservation | Rural & urban | 2019 | 10% of energy bill to NCEF |
| Employment | Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) Startup India |
Skill development; entrepreneurship | Youth; start‑ups | 2015; 2016 | 4‑hr training; 25% subsidy |
| Infrastructure | Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY) | Rural road connectivity | Villages | 2000 | 24‑hr connectivity to every village |
| Housing | Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) | Affordable housing | Poor families | 2015 | 1.5 lakh homes per year |
General Features of a Scheme
- Goal – what problem it solves.
- Target Beneficiary – who qualifies.
- Eligibility Criteria – age, income, location, etc.
- Benefits/Concessions – cash, subsidies, insurance, services.
- Funding Source – central, state, or both.
- Monitoring & Evaluation – audits, performance indicators.
3. Worked Example
Scenario
Rahul, a 25‑year‑old farmer from a small village in Uttar Pradesh, wants to:
- Protect his crops from natural calamities.
- Receive income support during lean seasons.
- Improve his skills for better productivity.
How to Use Government Schemes
| Step | Scheme | How it Helps Rahul | How to Apply |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) | Insures 80% of his crop area against crop loss. | Visit the local Agricultural Insurance Office; submit crop details & proof of ownership. |
| 2 | Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM‑KISAN) | Receives ₹60,000 annually in three installments. | Register online at https://www.pmkisan.gov.in/; link bank account. |
| 3 | Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY) | Attends a 4‑hour skill training in modern irrigation. | Enroll via the Ministry of Skill Development portal; check local training centres. |
Outcome
Rahul secures crop insurance, receives a steady income support, and gains new skills—making his farming more resilient and profitable.
4. Quick Revision Summary
- Definition – Government schemes are planned programmes to address specific societal needs.
- Common Sectors – Education, Health, Agriculture, Rural Development, Digital India, Women & Children, Environment, Employment, Infrastructure, Housing.
- Typical Scheme Features – Goal, target group, eligibility, benefits, funding, monitoring.
- Major Schemes to Remember
- RTE, PMKVY, PMFBY, PM‑KISAN, AB‑PMJAY, PMAY, PMGSY