📚 Study Notes – Government Schemes
Subject: General Awareness & Current Affairs
Exam: SAT (Sarkari Astitva Test)
1️⃣ Simple Explanation
Government schemes are structured programmes launched by the Indian government (central, state or local) to achieve specific socio‑economic objectives—such as poverty alleviation, health, education, rural development, or digital inclusion.
They usually provide financial assistance, subsidies, or services directly to eligible citizens.
Why it matters for SAT?
• Most questions test knowledge of scheme names, objectives, and eligibility.
• Understanding the purpose helps you connect to current headlines.
2️⃣ Key Points – Must‑Know Schemes (2024)
| Scheme (Year) | Objective | Target Group | Main Benefit | Key Dates |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) | Financial inclusion | Every adult | 12,000 ₹ in 5 years (interest + insurance) | Launched 2014 |
| Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY‑Rural/Urban) | Affordable housing | Low‑income families | 90% subsidy on construction | 2015 |
| Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) | Income support for farmers | Small/ marginal farmers | 6,000 ₹/month for 6 months | 2019 |
| Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY) | Crop insurance | Farmers | Loss coverage up to 90% | 2016 |
| Digital India / BharatNet | Digital connectivity | Rural households | 100‑Mbps broadband | 2015–ongoing |
| Swachh Bharat Abhiyan | Cleanliness | All citizens | Free toilets, waste‑management | 2014 |
| Saubhagya (Ujjwala Yojana) | Clean cooking fuel | BPL families | 1,000 ₹ subsidy for LPG connection | 2019 |
| Aadhaar Card | Universal ID | All residents | 120 ₹ subsidy for first 5 years | 2015 |
| Make in India | Manufacturing | Industries | 10% tax incentive | 2014 |
| Startup India | Entrepreneurship | Start‑ups | 2‑year tax holiday + funding | 2016 |
| Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) | Health insurance | BPL families | 30,000 ₹/year | 2013 |
| Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) | Employment | Rural labourers | 100 days wage guarantee | 2005 |
| Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU‑GKY) | Skills | Rural youth | 1,200 ₹ per month | 2011 |
| National Skill Development Mission (NSDM) | Skill training | Youth | 15% training subsidy | 2015 |
Tip: Focus on objective + beneficiary; that’s the “hook” in most SAT questions.
3️⃣ Worked Example – PM‑KISAN
Scenario
A small‑holding farmer receives the PM‑KISAN subsidy for 6 months. The scheme offers ₹6,000 per month.
Question (SAT style)
How much total subsidy will the farmer receive in one year?
Calculation
Monthly subsidy = ₹6,000
Number of months = 6
Total subsidy = 6,000 × 6 = ₹36,000
Answer
The farmer receives ₹36,000 in total for the year.
Why this helps: Practising with simple arithmetic familiarises you with numeric questions that often appear in SAT.
4️⃣ Quick Revision Summary
| Topic | What to Remember |
|---|---|
| Scheme names | PMJDY, PMAY, PM‑KISAN, PMFBY, Saubhagya, Swachh Bharat, Digital India, etc. |
| Primary objective | Financial inclusion, housing, crop insurance, employment, digital connectivity, clean energy. |
| Target group | Adults, farmers, BPL families, rural youth, start‑ups, etc. |
| Key benefit | Interest + insurance, subsidies, tax incentives, free services, insurance coverage. |
| Launch year | 2014–2019 (most recent). |
| Typical exam cue | “Which scheme provides ₹6,000/month to farmers?” → PM‑KISAN. |
| Common trick | Schemes with “PM” prefix are central government programmes. |
| Current affairs check | Verify latest amendments (e.g., PMFBY 2024 revamp). |
Final Tips for SAT
- Flashcards – Make a card for each scheme: name, objective, target, benefit.
- Timeline – Sketch a quick 2014‑2024 timeline of scheme launches.
- Link to Headlines – Read a news article about a scheme (e.g., latest PM‑KISAN disbursement) to reinforce recall.
- Practice MCQs – Use SAT‑style multiple choice questions to test quick recall.
Good luck! 🍀