Government Schemes are a foundational element of UPSC CSE Exam 2025 preparation, as they play a major role in the nation’s developmental priorities and the execution of public policy. Spanning across various sectors such as health, education, agriculture, and the economy, these Important Government Schemes provide insights into governance frameworks, social inclusion, and public service delivery framework. Questions related to government initiatives are frequently asked across the Prelims, Mains, and Interview stages of the UPSC Exam 2025.
Government Schemes for UPSC CSE Exam 2025 Prelims
In Prelims, UPSC often has factual questions about the Important Government Scheme. Aspirants must know the launch year, objectives, implementing ministry, beneficiaries, and key features of Important Government Schemes. Focus should be on those featured in the Union Budget, Economic Survey, and PIB updates from the past two years. Schemes like PM-KISAN, Ayushman Bharat, or PM Gati Shakti have often appeared.
Government Schemes for UPSC CSE Exam 2025 Mains
In Mains, especially in GS Paper II (Governance, Social Justice) and GS Paper III (Economy, Environment), Important Government Schemes are used to support arguments and showcase awareness. Topics like rural development, women empowerment, MSMEs, and health require references to relevant schemes. Writing answers with examples like MGNREGA, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, or Jal Jeevan Mission adds credibility.
Government Schemes for UPSC CSE Exam 2025 Interview
In Interview stage, during the UPSC CSE Exam 2025 often evaluates the understanding of ongoing government initiatives and their real-world impact. Questions may be asked about schemes related to home states, optional subjects, or academic background. Knowledge of schemes like Aspirational Districts Programme or Ayushman Bharat helps form informed opinions. Referring to Government Schemes also reflects your awareness of national development issues and policy implementation, which can leave a strong impression on the board.
Government Schemes for UPSC Importance
- Important Government Schemes are directly linked to topics in GS Paper II (Governance, Social Justice) and GS Paper III (Economy, Environment, Agriculture, Infrastructure).
- UPSC regularly asks factual questions about schemes, launch year, objectives, ministry, and features making them important areas for Prelims.
- Citing Important Government Schemes in Mains answers adds credibility, relevance, and depth to your arguments, especially in topics like rural development, health, and employment.
- Important Government Schemes reflect governance values like transparency, accountability, and social justice making them valuable in Ethics and Essay papers.
- Government Schemes are frequently covered in PIB, Yojana, Budget, and Economic Survey, making them an essential part of dynamic preparation.
- Understanding Important Government Schemes shows your awareness of real-world policy implementation, especially during discussions on your home state or optional subject.
- The Important Government Schemes provide insights into how the government tackles national challenges such as poverty, education, health, infrastructure, etc. through targeted interventions.
How to Study Government Schemes for UPSC
To study Government Schemes for UPSC effectively, first categorize them under GS Papers, e.g., health under GS II, economy under GS III. Refer to authentic sources such as PIB, Yojana, Kurukshetra, and the official portals of relevant ministries. Focus on the objectives, launch year, key features, budgetary allocation, challenges, and impact. Create mind maps, flowcharts, and comparative tables for revision. Practice MCQs and answer writing based on schemes for better elaboration.
Important Government Schemes List for UPSC
Below in the table including newly launched and strategically Important Government Schemes relevant for UPSC Exam 2025:
| Important Government Schemes for UPSC | ||||||
|
Scheme Name |
Launch Date |
Department |
Key Features |
Budget |
Beneficiaries |
Completion Date |
|
PM Awas Yojana |
2015 |
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs |
Affordable housing for all by 2022 |
₹6.85 lakh crore |
Urban and rural poor |
2022 |
|
Model Skill Loan Scheme |
2015 |
Ministry of Skill Development |
Provides loans for skill development courses |
N/A |
Students pursuing skill development |
Ongoing |
|
Mudra Yojana |
2015 |
Ministry of Finance |
Financial support to small businesses |
₹3 lakh crore |
Small entrepreneurs |
Ongoing |
|
PMGSY (Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana) |
2000 |
Ministry of Rural Development |
Rural road connectivity |
₹1.8 lakh crore |
Rural population |
Ongoing |
|
Urban 2.0 Initiative |
2021 |
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs |
Urban renewal and smart city development |
₹2.05 lakh crore |
Urban residents |
Ongoing |
|
PM Vishwakarma Scheme |
2023 |
Ministry of MSME |
Skill enhancement for traditional artisans |
₹13,000 crore |
Traditional artisans |
Ongoing |
|
Amrit Bharat Station Scheme |
2023 |
Ministry of Railways |
Redevelopment of railway stations |
₹10,000 crore |
Railway passengers |
2025 |
|
Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment) |
2022 |
Ministry of Environment |
Promoting sustainable living practices |
N/A |
General public |
Ongoing |
|
National Logistics Policy (NLP) |
2022 |
Ministry of Commerce & Industry |
Improve efficiency in logistics sector |
N/A |
Logistics companies |
Ongoing |
|
PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan |
2021 |
Ministry of Commerce & Industry |
Integrated infrastructure planning |
₹100 lakh crore |
Infrastructure sector |
2025 |
|
PM Schools for Rising India (PM SHRI) |
2022 |
Ministry of Education |
Strengthen schools with modern facilities |
₹27,360 crore |
Students and educators |
2026-27 |
|
Rashtriya Udyamita Vikas Pariyojana |
2024 |
Ministry of Skill Development |
Entrepreneurship development for youth |
N/A |
Young entrepreneurs |
Ongoing |
|
Pradhan Mantri Janjatiya Unnat Gram Abhiyan |
2024 |
Ministry of Tribal Affairs |
Development of tribal villages |
₹7,000 crore |
Tribal communities |
2026 |
|
Vatsalya Scheme |
2024 |
Ministry of Women & Child Development |
Child welfare and protection |
N/A |
Children in need |
Ongoing |
|
Purvodaya |
2024 |
Ministry of Steel |
Boosting Eastern India’s steel sector |
N/A |
Steel industry |
2030 |
|
Pradhan Mantri Surya Ghar Yojana |
2024 |
Ministry of New & Renewable Energy |
Solar energy adoption in households |
₹75,000 crore |
Residential households |
2027 |
|
Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme |
2024 |
Ministry of Heavy Industries |
Promotion of electric vehicles |
₹10,000 crore |
EV manufacturers and buyers |
2030 |
|
Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Nidhi |
2021 |
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare |
Health infrastructure funding |
₹64,180 crore |
Health institutions |
Ongoing |
|
Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Aarogya Yojana |
2018 |
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare |
Health insurance for the poor |
₹64,180 crore |
Low-income families |
Ongoing |
|
National Digital Health Mission |
2020 |
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare |
Digital health records for all citizens |
₹1,600 crore |
General public |
Ongoing |
|
Pradhan Mantri Swasthya Suraksha Yojna |
2006 |
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare |
Establish AIIMS-like institutions across India |
₹14,970 crore |
Medical students, patients |
Ongoing |
|
Intensified Mission Indradhanush 3.0 |
2021 |
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare |
Immunization drive for children and pregnant women |
N/A |
Children and pregnant women |
Ongoing |
|
STARS Project |
2020 |
Ministry of Education |
Strengthening teaching-learning outcomes |
$500 million (World Bank) |
School students |
2025 |
|
Institutions of Eminence Scheme |
2018 |
Ministry of Education |
Promote world-class higher education institutions |
₹10,000 crore |
Universities |
Ongoing |
|
Mid-Day Meal |
1995 |
Ministry of Education |
Free meals to school children |
₹11,000 crore |
School students |
Ongoing |
|
Swach Vidyalaya Abhiyan |
2014 |
Ministry of Education |
Build separate toilets for boys and girls in schools |
N/A |
School students |
Completed 2019 |
|
Kala Utsav |
2015 |
Ministry of Education |
Promote art and cultural activities in schools |
N/A |
School students |
Ongoing |
|
Shikshav Parv Initiative |
2020 |
Ministry of Education |
Discuss and implement NEP 2020 |
N/A |
Educators, students |
Ongoing |
|
Scheme for Promotion of Academic and Research Collaboration (SPARC) |
2018 |
Ministry of Education |
Promote research collaboration between Indian and foreign institutions |
₹418 crore |
Researchers |
Ongoing |
|
Higher Education Financing Agency (HEFA) |
2017 |
Ministry of Education |
Finance infrastructure projects in higher education |
₹1 lakh crore |
Educational institutions |
Ongoing |
|
Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojna |
2017 |
Ministry of Women & Child Development |
Maternity benefit scheme for pregnant and lactating women |
₹12,661 crore |
Pregnant women |
Ongoing |
|
Poshan Abhiyan |
2018 |
Ministry of Women & Child Development |
Improve nutritional outcomes for children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers |
₹9,046 crore |
Women and children |
Ongoing |
|
Rashtriya Poshan Maah |
2018 |
Ministry of Women & Child Development |
Nutrition awareness campaign |
N/A |
General public |
Annual event |
|
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojna |
2015 |
Ministry of Skill Development |
Skill development and certification |
₹12,000 crore |
Youth |
Ongoing |
|
Unique Land Parcel Identification Number (ULPIN) Scheme |
2021 |
Ministry of Rural Development |
Assign unique IDs to land parcels |
N/A |
Landowners |
Ongoing |
|
National Social Assistance Programme (NSAP) |
1995 |
Ministry of Rural Development |
Social pensions for elderly, widows, and disabled persons |
₹9,200 crore |
Vulnerable groups |
Ongoing |
|
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS) |
2006 |
Ministry of Rural Development |
Guarantee 100 days of wage employment to rural households |
₹1.11 lakh crore |
Rural workers |
Ongoing |
|
Rashtriya Aajivika Mission |
2011 |
Ministry of Rural Development |
Promote self-employment and skilled wage employment |
₹5,000 crore |
Rural poor |
Ongoing |
|
Gram Panchayat Development Plans |
2015 |
Ministry of Panchayati Raj |
Bottom-up planning at Gram Panchayat level |
N/A |
Rural population |
Ongoing |
|
Startup Village Entrepreneurship Programme |
2016 |
Ministry of Rural Development |
Promote entrepreneurship in rural areas |
₹700 crore |
Rural entrepreneurs |
Ongoing |
|
DDU Grameen Kaushalya Yojna |
2014 |
Ministry of Rural Development |
Skill training for rural youth |
₹1,500 crore |
Rural youth |
Ongoing |
|
Global Housing Technology Challenge |
2019 |
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs |
Promote innovative construction technologies |
N/A |
Construction sector |
Ongoing |
|
Safaimitra Suraksha Challenge |
2020 |
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs |
Promote mechanized cleaning of sewers |
N/A |
Sanitation workers |
Ongoing |
|
PM SVANIDI |
2020 |
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs |
Micro-credit scheme for street vendors |
₹10,000 crore |
Street vendors |
Ongoing |
|
Climate-Smart City Assessment Framework |
2021 |
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs |
Evaluate climate actions in cities |
N/A |
Urban residents |
Ongoing |
|
Swachh Sarvekshan |
2016 |
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs |
Annual cleanliness survey |
N/A |
Urban population |
Annual event |
|
Rashtriya Swachhta Kendra |
2020 |
Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs |
National center for cleanliness awareness |
N/A |
General public |
Ongoing |
|
Grand ICT Challenge |
2020 |
Ministry of Electronics & IT |
Promote innovative ICT solutions |
N/A |
Tech startups |
Ongoing |
|
Ambekar Social Innovation & Incubation Mission |
2019 |
Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment |
Promote social entrepreneurship |
N/A |
Social entrepreneurs |
Ongoing |
|
Saral Jeevan Bima |
2021 |
IRDAI |
Standard term life insurance policy |
N/A |
Insurance buyers |
Ongoing |
|
One District One Product Scheme |
2018 |
Ministry of Commerce & Industry |
Promote district-specific products |
₹6,000 crore |
Local entrepreneurs |
Ongoing |
|
PRARAMBH: Startup India International Summit |
2021 |
Ministry of Commerce & Industry |
Global platform for startups |
N/A |
Startups |
Annual event |
|
Merchandise Export From India Scheme |
2015 |
Ministry of Commerce & Industry |
Incentives for goods exporters |
₹40,000 crore |
Exporters |
Ongoing |
|
SAMARTH Scheme |
2017 |
Ministry of Textiles |
Skill development in textile sector |
₹1,300 crore |
Textile workers |
Ongoing |
|
National Technical Textile Mission |
2020 |
Ministry of Textiles |
Promote technical textiles |
₹1,480 crore |
Textile industry |
2024 |
|
Sagarmala Sea Plane Services |
2020 |
Ministry of Ports, Shipping & Waterways |
Enhance coastal and inland water connectivity |
N/A |
Tourists, travelers |
Ongoing |
|
Atal Beemit Vyakti Kalyan Yojna |
2018 |
Ministry of Labour & Employment |
Provide financial support to unemployed insured persons |
₹6,500 crore |
Unemployed persons |
Ongoing |
|
Nation Career Service Project |
2015 |
Ministry of Labour & Employment |
Employment services and career counseling |
₹1,000 crore |
Job seekers |
Ongoing |
|
Vision 2035 |
2020 |
NITI Aayog |
Long-term policy vision for India |
N/A |
Policy makers |
2035 |
|
NPMPF (‘National Program and Project Management Policy Framework’) |
2020 |
NITI Aayog |
Improve project management practices |
N/A |
Government agencies |
Ongoing |
|
Aatmanirbhar Bharat ARISE-Atal New India Challenge |
2020 |
Atal Innovation Mission |
Support startups with innovative solutions |
₹500 crore |
Startups |
Ongoing |
|
Startup India Seed Fund Scheme (SISFS) |
2021 |
Department for Promotion of Industry & Internal Trade |
Financial support to early-stage startups |
₹945 crore |
Startups |
2025 |
Last updated on July, 2025
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Important Government Schemes FAQs
Q1. How many government schemes should I study for UPSC 2025?+
Q2. Which government source is best for reading about schemes?+
Q3. How to remember so many schemes effectively?+
Q4. Should I quote schemes in Ethics and Essay papers?+
Q5. Are schemes relevant for all UPSC stages?+
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