SSC GD Constable – General Awareness
Topic: Government Schemes
Why it matters
SSC GD Constable exam tests your ability to understand and explain the governance framework that shapes India’s socio‑economic landscape. Knowing prominent schemes, their objectives, beneficiaries, and key features gives you a competitive edge and demonstrates policy awareness.
1. Classification of Schemes
| Category | Typical Objective | Representative Schemes |
|---|---|---|
| Poverty alleviation & welfare | Reduce hunger & destitution | PMJP, PMGSY, PMKVY, PMMY |
| Employment & livelihood | Create jobs & skills | MGNREGA, PMKVY, Skill India, AMRUT |
| Health & Insurance | Universal health coverage | Ayushman Bharat (AB‑PMJAY), PMSBY, PMJJBY |
| Education & Skill Development | Inclusive learning & vocational training | Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan, RKVY |
| Agriculture & Rural Development | Increase productivity | PMFBY, PM-KISAN, PMUY |
| Housing & Sanitation | Provide safe homes & clean environment | PMAY, SBM |
| Energy & Infrastructure | Energy for all & urban planning | Ujjwala, AMRUT, NITI Aayog’s Smart Cities |
Tip – When memorising, pair scheme name → objective in mental flashcards.
2. Key Government Schemes (2024‑level)
For each scheme, note down:
Launch year, Central/State level, Target group, Key benefit, Tricky point.
| Scheme | Launch | Target | Key Benefit | Tricky Point |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) | 2014 | All adults (₹₹ 12 lakh accounts) | 24/7 banking, savings, credit | 12 lakh limit often mis‑remembered |
| Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY‑U) | 2019 | Below‑middle‑class families | ₹2 lakh subsidies (₹1.5 lakh for construction, ₹0.5 lakh for transfer) | Different subsidy for Rented vs. Owned homes |
| Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Rural (PMAY‑R) | 2016 | Rural households | ₹1 lakh for construction | Subsidy applies only to first house |
| Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) | 2005 | Rural households | 100 days of wages | Exponentially increases with labor demand |
| National Food Security Act (NFSA) | 2013 | 75% of population | 5 kg wheat + 2.5 kg pulses per family per month | “Free” only for Below Poverty Line (BPL) families |
| Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB‑PMJAY) | 2018 | BPL & APL families | ₹5 lakh insurance coverage | Not “government health” |