UPSC CAPF – General Awareness
Government Schemes: Study Notes
Why it matters –
CAPF exams test the aspirant’s knowledge of current affairs and policy impact.
Knowing the major schemes helps you:
- Understand the Government’s priorities.
- Relate policies to rural/urban livelihood.
- Answer questions on policy impact and implementation.
1. Simple Explanation
Government schemes are policy programmes launched by the Indian government to achieve specific social, economic, or developmental objectives. They are usually time‑bound, have a defined target population, and are funded through the annual budget.
Key characteristics
| Feature | What it means |
|---|---|
| Objective | The problem the scheme addresses (e.g., poverty, health, education). |
| Target Group | Who benefits (e.g., women, farmers, children). |
| Implementation | Ministry/Department + execution bodies (e.g., state governments, NGOs). |
| Monitoring & Evaluation | Mechanisms (e.g., audits, data reporting). |
| Funding | Budget allocation + any external assistance. |
2. Key Government Schemes (Selected for CAPF)
| Scheme | Ministry | Launch Year | Core Objective | Target Beneficiary | Main Benefit |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) | Ministry of Finance | 2014 | Universal financial inclusion | All households (especially the poor) | Zero‑balance accounts, credit, insurance, pension |
| Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Gramin (PMAY‑G) | Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs | 2017 | Affordable housing for rural poor | Rural households, especially landless | Subsidised houses, interest‑free loans |
| Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM‑Kisan) | Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare | 2019 | Income support to small & marginal farmers | Farmers with ≤2 ha land | ₹6000/yr in 3 tranches |
| Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PM‑FBY) | Ministry of Agriculture & Farmers Welfare | 2016 | Crop insurance | All farmers | Insurance against crop loss |
| Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY) | Ministry of Finance | 2015 | Accident & fire insurance | All citizens | ₹1–5 lakh coverage |
| Saakshar Bharat (SB) | Ministry of Education | 2014 | Adult literacy | Adults 15+ | Literacy training |
| National Rural Health Mission (NRHM) | Ministry of Health & Family Welfare | 2005 | Universal health coverage | Rural population | Primary health centres, free medicines |
| Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) | Ministry of Drinking Water & Sanitation | 2014 | Clean India | All citizens | Sanitation, waste management |
| Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY) | Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas | 2016 | LPG for poor families | Women in below‑poverty‑line families | Free LPG connections |
| National Skill Development Mission (NSDM) | Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship | 2015 | Skill upgradation | Youth 15-35 | Training, certification |
| Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP) | Ministry of Women & Child Development | 2015 | Promote girl child welfare | Girls 0‑18 | Awareness, scholarships |
| Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PM‑FBY) | Ministry of Agriculture | 2016 | Crop insurance | All farmers | Insurance cover up to 90% |
| Ujjwala Yojana | Ministry of Petroleum & Natural Gas | 2016 | LPG for poor families | Women in BPL households | Free LPG connection & subsidy |
| PM-CO (Co‑Operation) Mission | Ministry of Cooperation | 2014 | Strengthen co‑op sector | Farmers, artisans | Credit, insurance, marketing |
| Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY) | Ministry of Health & Family Welfare | 2008 | Health insurance for poor | Families below poverty line | Coverage on hospitalization |
Tip: Remember the PM prefix – many flagship schemes start with Pradhan Mantri.
3. Worked Example – Applying a Scheme
Scenario
A 28‑year‑old farmer in Rajasthan owns 1.5 ha of land. He has two children, no health insurance, and rarely uses LPG. He wants to secure his income, health, and his family's hygiene.
Which schemes help?
| Scheme | How it helps the farmer |
|---|---|
| PM‑Kisan | ₹6000/yr for his land (3 tranches). |
| PM‑FBY | Crop insurance covering up to 90% of loss. |
| PM SBI (PMSBY) | Accident & fire insurance for him & family. |
| PMUY | Free LPG connection + subsidised price. |
| NRHM | Free medicines & health check‑ups at local PHC. |
| Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana | Hospitalisation coverage for 3‑4 families. |
| Swachh Bharat Mission | Access to toilets & waste management. |
Implementation steps
- Register for PM‑Kisan at the nearest agriculture office.
- Book insurance under PM‑FBY via the Agricultural Credit Cooperative Bank.
- Apply for PMSBY through the Insurance Regulatory & Development Authority website.
- Submit proof of residence at the local Panchayat to get PM