Government Schemes – General Awareness & Current Affairs
(For IIT‑JEE / Competitive Exams – 2024 Edition)
Why this topic?
- Exam‑relevance: Almost every competitive exam (JEE‑Main, JEE‑Advanced, UPSC, RBI, SSC etc.) asks questions on recent government schemes.
- Bigger picture: Understanding schemes strengthens your knowledge of the Indian economy, social policy, and governance.
- Competitive edge: Many examiners give higher weightage to recent schemes (e.g., 2023‑24 budget, 2024 flagship programmes).
1. Classification of Government Schemes
| Category | Key Focus | Representative Schemes |
|---|---|---|
| Agriculture & Rural Development | Crop insurance, credit, subsidies | PMKISHAN, PM-AAN, PM-KISAN, RasaM |
| Health & Nutrition | Primary health, nutrition, disease control | Ayushman Bharat, Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana, National Nutrition Mission |
| Education & Skill Development | Scholarship, digital learning, skill training | PM-KUSUM, Skill India, Bharat Ratna Dr. APJ Abdul Kalam Technical University |
| Housing & Infrastructure | Affordable housing, urban renewal | PMAY‑Urban / Rural, Smart Cities Mission, National Infrastructure Pipeline |
| Employment & Income Generation | Job creation, entrepreneurship | Startup India, PM-CHUGLA, Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana |
| Digital & Financial Inclusion | Digital services, financial literacy | Digital India, Aadhaar, Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana |
| Environment & Climate | Green initiatives, clean energy | National Clean Energy Fund, PM‑FAP (Fossil‑Free Airports Programme) |
| Social Welfare & Minority Development | Welfare for SC/ST, women, elderly | Pradhan Mantri Vayomri Yojana, Ayushman Bharat, PM‑Beti Bacha, Beti Padhao |
Tip: Many schemes overlap across categories. For exam answers, highlight primary objective and target beneficiaries.
2. 2024–25 Flagship Schemes (Key Details)
| Scheme | Launched | Objective | Budget (₹ in crores) | Target Beneficiaries | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN) | 2019 | Income support to farmers | 1,208.68 | 1.5 cr farmers | 100 ₹/month * 12 months * 1.5 cr = ₹18,000 crore |
| Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY) | 2019 | Affordable housing | 2,994 | 5.6 lakh (Rural) + 2.8 lakh (Urban) | 2024 update: PMAY‑R launched new “Green Housing” guidelines |
| Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY) | 2018 | Health insurance | 7,500 | 22 cr families | 2024: Ayushman Bharat now covers COVID‑19 treatment for all |
| Digital India – BharatNet | 2015 | Broadband to every gram panchayat | 7,772 | 1.2 lakh villages | 2024: BharatNet 2.0 – 100 Mbps |
| Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PM‑MUDRA) | 2015 | Micro‑enterprise credit | 2,500 | 3 lakh SMEs | 2024: MUDRA 2.0 – 25 % higher loan limit |
| Skill India Mission | 2015 | Skill development | 4,969 | 1.5 cr skills | 2024: Skill India 10× Vision – double the skill count |
| National Clean Energy Fund (NCEF) | 2011 | Clean energy projects | 10,000 | – | 2024: NCEF receives 4.5 % of Net Surplus of Central Govt. |
Tricky Point: “Budget (₹ in crores)” is often quoted in annually recurring budget (ARBs). For exam answers, convert to ₹ crores or ₹ lakhs as required.
3. Deep‑Dive on a Flagship Scheme – PM‑KISAN
3.1. Scheme Architecture
| Component | Details |
|---|---|
| Direct Income Support | ₹ 60,000 per year per farmer (₹ 5,000/month) |
| Payment Frequency | 2 installments: ₹ 30,000 each (June & December) |
| Eligibility | Landholders with farm land ≤ 5 ha, tenant farmers, casual labourers for 12 months |
| Payment Mode | Direct Bank Transfer (via Aadhaar‑linked bank account) |
| Implementation | Co‑ordination between Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare; Monitoring by State Agriculture Departments |
3.2. Budget Calculation (2024–25)
- Number of beneficiaries = 1.5 cr = 15,000,000
- **Annual per‑beneficiary