The Government of India has social welfare and social security schemes for India's citizens funded either by the central government, state government or concurrently. Schemes that the central government fully funds are referred to as "central sector schemes" (CS). In contrast, schemes mainly funded by the center and implemented by the states are "centrally sponsored schemes" (CSS).[1] In the 2022 Union budget of India, there are 740 central sector (CS) schemes.[2] [3] and 65 (+/-7) centrally sponsored schemes (CSS).[4]
From 131 CSSs in February 2021, the union government aimed to restructure/revamp/rationalize these by the next year.[5] In 2022 CSS's numbered 65 with a combined funding of .[6] In 2022, there were 157 CSs and CSSs with individual funding of over each.[7] Central sector scheme actual spending in 2017-18 was,[8] in 2019-20 it was while the budgeted amount for 2021-22 is .[9] Schemes can also be categorised as flagship schemes.[10] 10 flagship schemes were allocated in the 2021 Union budget of India. The subsidy for kerosene, started in the 1950s, was slowly decreased since 2009 and eliminated in 2022.[11] [12]
Implementation of government schemes varies between schemes, and locations, and depends on factors such as evaluation process, awareness, accessibility, acceptability, and capability for last-mile implementation.[13] Government bodies undertaking evaluations and audits include NITI Aayog, Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation, and the Comptroller and Auditor General of India.
| Scheme | CS/CSS | — width="70px" | Lead Ministry | Year of Launch | Sector | Summary | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| PM Vishwakarma Yojana | CSS | MoMSME | 2023 | CSS | On September 17, 2023, the Prime Minister unveiled the PM Vishwakarma scheme, a groundbreaking initiative designed to offer comprehensive support to artisans and craftspeople who skillfully use their hands and tools. This central sector scheme is dedicated to enhancing the livelihoods of those engaged in 18 distinct trades, including: | ||
| Agnipath Scheme | CS implemented on 14 June 2022 | Ministry of Defence (India) | 2022 | Defense | For recruitment of soldiers below the rank of commissioned officers into the three services of the armed forces. The Agnipath Scheme will be the only route for recruitment into the military. All recruits will be hired only for four years. Personnel recruited under this system will be called Agniveers which will be a new military rank. | ||
| Mahila Samman Savings Certificate (MSSC) | - | - | 2023 | Finance | MSSC Scheme was launched by the Government of India in Budget 2023 for women and girls in India. | ||
| PM Poshan Shakti Nirman Abhiyaan (PM-POSHAN, Prime Minister's Overarching Scheme for Holistic Nourishment, () PM Nutrition Power Building Scheme) | CSS | MoWCD | Health, Education | Revamped version of 1995 Midday Meal Scheme (Madhyanh Bhojan Yojana) to provide free lunch to school children. Financial outlay in 2022 was . POSHAN Abhiyaan was launched in 2018.[14] Grouped under the umbrella scheme "Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0".[15] Expanded aims include reducing stunting, under-nutrition, anemia, and low birth weight.[16] | |||
| - | Strengthening Teaching-Learning and Results for States (STARS) | CSS | MoE | 2020 | Education | To improve school education in six states covering 10 million teachers. Financial support by World Bank.[17] [18] This is a continuation of GOI-World Bank efforts since 1994 towards the same goal. Implemented through Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan. | |
| Svamitva Yojana (Survey of Villages Abadi and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Area) | CS | MoPR | 2020 | Rural development | To help in mapping of properties in villages with the help of drones. Aims in helping to reduce disputes over property. The portal will help in making it easier for villagers to avail bank loans.[19] | ||
| Garib Kalyan Rojgar Abhiyaan (Poor Welfare Employment Campaign) | CS | 12 ministries | 2020 | Employment | Employment campaign for the poor following coronavirus pandemic covering 12 ministries and 6 states. Launched on 20 June 2020 and ended on 22 October 2020.[20] | ||
| PM Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY, PM Fish Resources Scheme) | CSS | MoFAHD | 2020 | Fisheries | Nationwide welfare measures for farmers in the fisheries sector. For the period 2020-2024 estimated allocation of for implementation.[21] | ||
| - | PM Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM KISAN, PM Farmer's Tribute Fund) | CS | MoF | 2019 | Agriculture | Income support of per year to eligible farmers through Direct Benefit Transfer.[22] | |
| - | Jal Jeevan Mission (Water Life Mission) | CSS | MoJS | 2019 | Rural development | Accelerated Rural Water Supply Programme began in 1972.[23] Restructured into National Rural Drinking Water Programme (NRDWP) in 2009.[24] To provide water to each rural household through individual taps. Financial outlay in 2022 is . Consists of 'Har Ghar Nal Se Jal' or 'Nal Se Jal Scheme'.[25] Also Har Ghar Jal. | |
| - | Atal Bhujal Yojana (Atal Jal, Atal Groundwater Scheme) | CS | MoJS | 2019 | Water | World Bank funded scheme (50:50) to improve ground water management with focus on Panchayats. Implementation in seven states between 2020 and 2025 with initial funding of .[26] | |
| PM Kisan Urja Suraksha Evam Utthan Mahabhiyan (PM KUSUM Scheme, PM Energy Security and Upliftment Campaign) | CS | MoNRE | 2019 | Agriculture | For the installation of solar pumps and other renewable power plants across the nation targeted towards farmers.[27] Towards Paris Agreement targets for renewable energy.[28] | ||
| PM Shram Yogi Mandhan (PM SYM) | CS | MoLE | 2019 | Financial security | Social security to unorganized sector and through voluntary contribution and monthly pension after 60 through direct benefit transfer. Implemented by LIC and CSCs. | ||
| PM Annadata Aay Sanrakshan Abhiyan (PM AASHA, Farmer Income Protection Scheme) | CS | MoAFW | 2018 | Agriculture | For farmer welfare through creating a profitable ecosystem for selected products. Consists of sub-schemes such as Price Support Scheme (PSS) and Price Deficiency Payment Scheme (PDPS).[29] | ||
| - | Ayushman Bharat Yojana (AB PM-JAY, Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana, People's Health Scheme) | CSS | Health | Ayushman Bharat National Health Protection Scheme (AB-NHPS) aims to provide free access to healthcare for 50 crore people in the country.[30] Implemented across India expect 3 states/UTs.[31] By July 2021 Ayushman cards issued numbered 16.14 crore. By March 2022 hospitalisations under the scheme had crossed 30 million with a valuation of .[32] | |||
| Samagra Shiksha (National Education Mission) | CSS | MoE | 2018 | Education | To improve overall effectiveness of schools from pre-nursery to class 12 and other measures.[33] In 2022 it financial outlay allocated . Subsumes Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan and others. World Bank supported. | ||
| PM Jan Vikas Karyakaram (PMJVK, PM People Progress Programme) | CSS | MoMA | 2018 | Development | Started in 2008 as Multi-sectoral Development Programme (MSDP).[34] Development of minority concentration areas. | ||
| Rashtriya Gram Swaraj Abhiyan (RGSA, National Village Swaraj Campaign) | CSS | MoPR | 2018 | Rural development | To strengthen Panchayati Raj institutions and support them towards achieving Sustainable Development Goals.[35] | ||
| World Class Institutions Scheme | CS | MoE | 2017 | Education | To enable 10 private and public institutions to attain world class academic and research facilities. Aim is to create Institutes of Eminence.[36] | ||
| Khelo India – National Programme for Development of Sports | CS | MoYAS | 2017 | Sports | Sporting infrastructure, sponsorship, excellence. Competitions such as Khelo India University Games and Winter Games. General fitness of the population. | ||
| Krishonnati Yojana | CSS | MoAFW | 2017 | Agriculture | Umbrella scheme subsuming 11 schemes.[37] | ||
| PM Matritva Vandana Yojana (PM Maternity Support Scheme) | MoWCD | Mother Care | Launched as the Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana in 2010. Renamed in 2017. A cash incentive of not less than to pregnant/lactating women.[38] [39] | ||||
| PM Ujjwala Yojana (PM Lighting Scheme) | CSS | MoP&NG | 2016 | Energy, Health, Poverty | Launched to provide free LPG connections to women from below poverty line families.[40] While the scheme mainly addresses distribution of cylinders, their usage has been in question.[41] [42] | ||
| - | PM Fasal Bima Yojana (PM Crop Insurance Scheme) | CS | Multiple | 2016 | Agriculture | Insurance and finance scheme for farmers.[43] | |
| Stand-Up India | CS | MoF, MoSJE | 2016 | Entrepreneurship | Loans for scheduled castes, scheduled tribes and women entrepreneurs for greenfield enterprises. Loans can be applied online.[44] By July 2021, 1.16 lakh loans disbursed amounting to .[45] By 2022, 81% of loan beneficiaries are women.[46] | ||
| - | National Hydrology Project | CS | MoJS | 2016 | Water | Multi-pronged project to improve hydrology related practices. World Bank supported.[47] [48] Australian Water Partnership (AWP) provides technical assistance. The Hydrology Project started in 1995 and was expanded through the National Hydrology Project in 2016.[49] | |
| - | PM Krishi Sinchai Yojana (PMKSY, PM Agriculture Irrigation Scheme) | CSS | Multiple | 2015 | Agriculture | Multi-pronged scheme focusing on improving agricultural productivity through irrigation support and better practices. In 2022 financial outlay is . Part of Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojna. | |
| PM Mudra Yojana (PM Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency Scheme) | CS | MoF | 2015 | Financing | MUDRA is a financial institution for funding small businesses.[50] 34,42,00,000 beneficiaries have received .[51] New entrepreneurs consist 22% of the beneficiaries.[52] | ||
| Smart Cities Mission | CSS | MoHUA | 2015 | Urban | Redevelopment, retrofitting, greenfield development of 100 cities.[53] [54] Large diversity in success of implementation.[55] | ||
| Digital India | CS | MeitY, MoF | IT | It aims to ensure that government services are available to citizens electronically and people get benefits from the latest information and communication technology.[56] Has expanded into production linked incentives, promotion of electronics manufacturing, R&D and improvement of the National Knowledge Network and electronic governance. | |||
| - | Faster Adoption and Manufacturing of Electric (& Hybrid) Vehicles in India Scheme (FAME India Scheme) | CS | MoHI | 2015 | Transport, Fuel security | Part of the National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP) 2020.[57] | |
| PM Awas Yojana - (Gramin) (PMAY-G, PM Housing Scheme Rural) | CSS | MoRD | Housing, Rural | Original form 1985.[58] Provides financial assistance to rural poor for constructing their houses themselves. This generates income and employment as well.[59] Sample housing designs have been proposed through UNDP, MoRD and IIT, Delhi collaboration.[60] [61] | |||
| PM Awaas Yojana - (Urban) (PMAY-R, PM Housing Scheme Urban) | CSS | MoHUA | Housing, Urban | To enable better living and drive economic growth stressing on the need for people centric urban planning and development. It envisages a "Slum Free India" in which every citizen has access to basic civic infrastructure and social amenities.[62] By March 2024, 56,20,000 units had been delivered to beneficiaries.[63] | |||
| Atal Pension Yojana (Atal Pension Scheme) | CS | MoF | Pension | Original form in 2010 as the Swavalamban Yojana.[64] A pension program that allows people to make voluntary contributions within a certain range with a matching government contribution to receive pension in the future. By September 2021, non-metros subscribers numbered 3,77,00,000.[65] | |||
| PM Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY, PM Safety Insurance Scheme) | CS | MoF | Insurance | This accident insurance scheme is for individuals and can be renewed every year. By May 2021, over 80,000 claims valuing registered.[66] | |||
| PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana (PMJJBY, PM Life Light Insurance Scheme) | CS | MoF | Insurance | This life insurance scheme for individuals can be renewed every year.[67] | |||
| Unnat Jyoti by Affordable LEDs for All (UJALA) | CS | Replaced the "Bachat Lamp Yojana". Reduces the cost of energy-saving compact fluorescent lamps. By the end of 2021, 36,78,00,000 LEDs were distributed resulting in energy savings and reduction in emissions.[68] | |||||
| PM Kaushal Vikas Yojna (PM Skill Development Scheme) | CS | MoSD&E | Skill development initiative schemes | To provide encouragement to youth for development of employable skills by providing monetary rewards by recognition of prior learning or by undergoing certification training at affiliated centres.[69] [70] | |||
| Heritage City Development and Augmentation Yojana (HRIDAY) | CSS | MoUD | Urban Development | The scheme seeks to preserve and rejuvenate the rich cultural heritage of the country.[71] | |||
| Sukanya Samridhi Yojana (Girl Child Prosperity Scheme) | MoWCD | Girl child | The scheme under Beti Bachao Beti Padhao primarily ensures equitable share to a girl child in resources and savings of a family in which she is generally discriminated as against a male child.[72] | ||||
| PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PM Skill Development Scheme) | CS | MoSD&E | Skill Development | Seeks to provide the institutional capacity to train people in hirable skills. It had a 20% placement rate in 2021.[73] | |||
| PM Bhartiya Jan Aushadhi Kendra (PM Indian Public Medicine Scheme, PMBJK) | MoCF | 2015 | Generic Medicine | The scheme launched by the Department of Pharmaceuticals, Govt. Of India, to provide quality medicines at affordable prices to the masses.[74] [75] | |||
| Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana | CSS | MoRD | Skill Development | Started as Aajeevika - National Rural Livelihoods Mission (NRLM) in 2011.[76] Self-employment programme to raise the income-generation capacity of target groups among the poor. The scheme has been merged with another scheme named Swarnajayanti Gram Swarozgar Yojana (SGSY). | |||
| National Career Service (NCS) | MoLE | 2015 | Employment | The objective of this project is to help job-seekers land up at the job they deserve. Under this scheme, an online job-portal named as National Career Service portal has been launched which acts as a common platform for job-seekers, employers, skill providers, government departments, placement organisations and counsellors.[77] [78] | |||
| Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana | CS | MoP | Rural Electrification | Programme for creation of rural electricity infrastructure and household electrification for providing access to electricity to rural households.[79] Initially Rajiv Gandhi Grameen Vidyutikaran Yojana launched 2005. | |||
| Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT) | CSS | MoUD | 2015 | Urban | Preceded by Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission started in 2005. Water based project to cover urban water ecosystem including taps, conservation and reducing flooding.[80] | ||
| - | Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission) | CSS | MoDWS, MoHUA | 2014 | Sanitation, Behaviour | Central Rural Sanitation Programme (CRSP) launched in 1986. In 1999 it became the Total Sanitation Campaign (TSC).[81] Multiple objectives including elimination of open defecation, addressing manual scavenging, and good sanitation and waste related practices. | |
| PM Jan Dhan Yojana (PM's People's Wealth Scheme) | CS | MoF | Financial inclusion | National Mission for Financial Inclusion to ensure access to financial services. Replaced 2011 Swabhiman. The scheme resulted in 36.86 crore new in-use bank accounts by mid-2021.[82] [83] | |||
| Deendayal Upadhyaya Grameen Kaushalya Yojana (DDU-GKY, Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Rural Skills Schemes) | MRD | Skill Development | A scheme to engage rural youth, especially BPL and SC/ST segments of the population, in gainful employment through skill training programmes[84] | ||||
| - | Namami Gange Programme | CS | MoWR | Clean and protect River Ganga | National Ganga Plan was launched in 1985. Integrates the efforts to clean and protect River Ganga in a comprehensive manner.[85] | ||
| Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Boys (Saksham) | CS | MoWCD | Skill Development | Aims at all-round development of adolescent boys and make them self-reliant, gender-sensitive and aware citizens, when they grow up. It covers all adolescent boys (both school going and out of school) in the age-group of 11 to 18 years.[86] | |||
| Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana (SAGY, Saanjhi, Member of Parliament Model Village Scheme) | MoRD | 2014 | Development, Rural | To develop model villages.[87] [88] 223 CS/ CSS and 1,806 state schemes converge under SAGY.[89] By 2016, members of parliament adopted 703 Gram Panchayats.[90] | |||
| Rashtriya Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (National Higher Education Mission) | CSS | MoE | 2013 | Education | Improving the quality of higher education in India.[91] | ||
| One Stop Crisis Centre (Sakhi) | MoWCD | 2013 | Women | Centre to provide multiple form of aid and shelter to women who have face violence.[92] By 2018, 234 centres had been set up.[93] By 2021 there were 700 centres with plans to set up centres in foreign countries.[94] Some centres lack required facilities.[95] [96] | |||
| Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) | 2013 | Finance | State level electronic benefit transfer and Direct Cash Transfer piloted before.[97] [98] [99] Under the Cabinet Secretariat and Ministry of Finance.[100] By 2022, over 300 schemes and 50 ministries are implemented using DBT.[101] | ||||
| Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG, Adolescent Girls (AG) Scheme) | CSS | MoWCD | Skill Development | Formed in 2010 by combining Kishori Shakti Yojana and Nutrition Programme for Adolescent Girls (NPAG) schemes into the Rajiv Gandhi Scheme for Empowerment of Adolescent Girls (RGSEAG) or Sabla.[102] Implemented with Umbrella Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme,[103] and then placed under Saksham Anganwadi & Mission Poshan 2.0.[104] Empowering adolescent girls aged 11–18 years with focus on out-of-school girls by improvement in their nutritional and health status and upgrading various skills like home skills, life skills and vocational skills.[105] | |||
| PM Adarsh Gram Yojana (PM Model Village Scheme) | MoRD | Model Village | Integrated development of Schedule Caste majority villages.[106] | ||||
| Promotion of University Research and Scientific Excellence (PURSE) | CS | MoST | 2009 | Infrastructure | To improve infrastructure towards excellence in science and research. Universities to have benefitted include Cochin University of Science and Technology,[107] Mahatma Gandhi University, Kottayam,[108] Kashmir university,[109] Jammu University,[110] Punjab University,[111] University of Delhi,[112] Jadavpur University[113] and Amity University, Rajasthan.[114] | ||
| Clean Energy Research Initiative (CERI) | CS | MoST | 2009 | Improving research capacity with regard to clean energy.[115] | |||
| Innovation in Science Pursuit for Inspired Research Programme (INSPIRE Programme) | CS | MoST | 2008 | Science | Scholarships and internships for top science students, fellowships for pursuing PhD, research grants to researchers.[116] | ||
| Cognitive Science Research Initiative (CSRI) | CS | MoST | 2008 | Science, Health | To work towards scientific quality of life improvements for those with cognitive disorders. | ||
| Rashtriya Swasthya Bima Yojana (RSBY, National Health Insurance Programme) | CSS | MoHFW | Insurance | Health insurance to poor (BPL), domestic workers, MGNERGA workers, rikshaw-pullers, building and other construction workers, and many other categories as may be identified by the respective states.[117] | |||
| National Action Plan for Climate Change (NAPCC) | CCP | MoST | 2008 | Climate | Improving science and technology capabilities with regard to climate change.[118] | ||
| PM's Employment Generation Programme (PMEGP) | CS | MoMSME | 2008 | MSME, employment | Aimed at providing employment and self-employment to unemployed.[119] [120] Implemented by Khadi and Village Industries Commission as nodal agency.[121] | ||
| Gramin Bhandaran Yojana (Rural Godown Scheme) | MoA | Agriculture | Now subsumed under Agricultural Marketing Infrastructure (AMI).[122] Creation of scientific storage capacity with allied facilities in rural areas to meet the requirements of farmers for storing farm produce, processed farm produce and agricultural inputs. Improve their marketability through promotion of grading, standardisation and quality control of agricultural produce.[123] | ||||
| Rashtriya Krishi Vikas Yojana (RKVY, National Agriculture Development Programme) | CSS | MoA | Agriculture | Allocation in 2022-23 crossed .[124] Includes Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchai Yojna (Per Drop More Crop) and agricultural mechanization. | |||
| National Mission on Nano Science and Technology | CS | MoST | 2007 | Science | "Umbrella capacity-building programme" targeted towards Nano Science and Technology.[125] | ||
| Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MG-NREGA) | CSS | MoRD | Rural Wage Employment | Legal guarantee for one hundred days of employment in every financial year to adult members of any rural household willing to do public work-related unskilled manual work at the statutory minimum wage of Rs. 120 per day in 2009 prices.[126] [127] | |||
| Pooled Finance Development Fund Scheme (PFDF) | MoUD | Urban Infrastructure Development | The scheme enables Urban Local Bodies (ULBs) including small and medium-sized municipalities to raise credit from the market on a sustainable basis to meet their investment needs. PFDF will provide credit enhancement to ULBs to access market borrowings based on their credit worthiness through state level pooled mechanism.[128] [129] [130] | ||||
| National Creche Scheme | CSS | MoWCD | 2006 | Rajiv Gandhi National Crèche Scheme for Working Mothers[131] [132] | |||
| Janani Suraksha Yojana (Maternity Safety Scheme) | CSS | MoHFW | Mother Care | One-time cash incentive to poor pregnant women and Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) for institutional/home births through skilled assistance to reduce child-mother mortality.[133] | |||
| National Health Mission | CSS | MoHFW | 2005 | Health | To improve India's health sector. Financial outlay in 2022 was . Includes a number of (subsumed) programes such as National Mental Health Programme (1982), National Blindness Control Programme (1976) and National Vector Borne Diseases Control Programme (2003). | ||
| Livestock Insurance Scheme | CSS | MoA | 2005 | Agriculture | Initiated as a pilot in 2005 and scaled up to all districts by 2014. Insurance to cattle and attaining qualitative improvement in livestock and their products.[134] | ||
| Special Accelerated Road Development Programme (SARDP-NE) | CS | MoRTH | 2005 | Transport | To improve road connectivity in Northeast India.[135] | ||
| Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (Kasturba Gandhi Girls School) | CSS | MoHRD | Education | Educational facilities (residential schools) for girls belonging to SC, ST, OBC, minority communities and families below the poverty line (BPL) in educationally backward blocks. | |||
| National Pension System | MoF | Pension | Contribution-based pension system. For government employees in 2004 and the general public in 2009. | ||||
| Deendayal Disabled Rehabilitation Scheme | CS | MoSJE | Social Justice | Original form was the 1999 scheme to Promote Voluntary Action for Persons with Disabilities, with the aim of implementing Persons With Disabilities Act, 1995. DDRS to create an enabling environment to ensure equal opportunities, equity, social justice and empowerment of persons with disabilities.[136] [137] | |||
| PM Swasthya Suraksha Yojana (PMSSY, PM Health Protection Scheme) | CS | MoHFW | 2003 | Health | Improving distribution and accessibility of health services. New AIIMS will be constructed under the scheme.[138] | ||
| Sampoorna Grameen Rozgar Yojana (Universal Rural Employment Scheme) | MoRD | Rural Self Employment | Providing additional wage employment and food security, alongside creation of durable community assets in rural areas. | ||||
| Swadhar Greh Scheme(Swadhar, Self-reliance Home Scheme) | CSS | MoWCD | 2001 | Female welfare | For women in tough circumstances.[139] | ||
| - | PM Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY, PM Village Road Scheme) | CSS | MoRD | Rural Development | Good all-weather road connectivity to unconnected villages. World Bank supported.[140] | ||
| Antyodaya Anna Yojana (AAY, Antyodaya Food Scheme) | MoCAFPD | Hunger | Under the scheme, 1 crore of the poorest among the poor (BPL, below poverty line) families covered under the targeted public distribution system are identified. Issue of ration cards following the recognition of Antyodaya families; unique quota cards to be recognised and "Antyodaya Ration Card" must be given to the Antyodaya families. The scheme has been further expanded twice by additional 50 lakh BPL families each in June 2003 and in August 2004, thus covering 2 crore families under the AAY scheme.[141] | ||||
| Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (Young Scientist Incentive Plan) | CS | MoST | Science | National fellowship and scholarship programme to encourage students to take up research careers in the areas of basic sciences, engineering and medicine. Exam administered by the Indian Institute of Science.[142] [143] | |||
| National Social Assistance Programme | CSS | MoRD | 1995 | Pension | Financial assistance to pensioners, widows and other target categories.[144] [145] | ||
| Members of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS) | CS | MoSPI | Development | Each MP has the choice to suggest to the District Collector for works to the tune of Rs 5 crores per annum to be taken up in their constituency. The Rajya Sabha Member of Parliament can recommend works in one or more districts in the State from where he/she has been elected. | |||
| National Scheme on Welfare of Fishermen | CSS | MoA | 1992 | Agriculture | Financial assistance to fishermen for construction of house, community hall for recreation and common working place and installation of tube-wells for drinking water. | ||
| National Social Assistance Scheme | CSS | MoRD | Pension | Public assistance to its citizens in the case of unemployment, old age, sickness and disablement and in other cases of undeserved want. | |||
| Eklavya Model Residential School (EMRS) | CS | MoTA | 1997 | Education | Setting up of new Eklavya Model Residential Schools and improving existing ones. Improvement of enrollment. | ||
| National Tuberculosis Elimination Program (NTEP) | CSS | MoHFW | Health | Tuberculosis control initiative. | |||
| Voluntary Disclosure of Income Scheme | MoF | Opportunity to the income tax/ wealth tax defaulters to disclose their undisclosed income at the prevailing tax rates. | |||||
| Infrastructure Facilities for Judiciary | CSS | MoLJ | 1993 | Infrastructure | This includes residential facilities, digital facilities, Gram Nyayalayas.[146] | ||
| National Child Labour Projects (NCLP) | MoLE | 1987 | Child labour | Launched in 9 districts in 1987 and has been expanded in 2005 to 250 districts in 21 different states. The objective of this project is to eliminate child labour in hazardous industries by 2010. Under this scheme, the target group is all children below 14 years of age who are working in occupations and processes listed in the Schedule to the Child Labour (Prohibition & Regulation) Act, 1986. | |||
| Interlinking of Rivers Project (ILR, NPP, National Perspective Plan) | CSS | MoJS | 1980 | Water | Development of water resources.[147] | ||
| Urea subsidy | CS | MoCF | 1977 | Subsidy | The first urea subsidy scheme was in 1977 in the form of Retention Price cum Subsidy scheme (RPS). From in 1990 to in 2008. As %ofGDP this is an increase from 0.8% to 1.5%. In 2022-23 financial outlay is .[148] [149] | ||
| Integrated Child Development Services | CSS | MoWCD | Child, Mother care | The scheme aims to tackle malnutrition and health problems in children below 6 years of age and their mothers by providing cash incentives conditional upon registration at Anganwadi centres and vaccination of newborn children. | |||
| Food subsidy | CS | MoCAFPD | 1972 | Subsidy | In 1972 the total food subsidy was . In 1980 it was and in 1995.[150] In 2022 financial outlay was . Allocation in 2020-21 had reached, an all-time peak.[151] [152] | ||
| National Service Scheme | CS | MoYAS | 1969 | Public service | Personality development through social (or community) service. | ||
| - | Kerosene subsidy | CS | 1956 | Subsidy | Eliminated in 2021.[153] |
The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO) under the NITI Aayog is responsible for evaluations. Evaluation problems exist.[154] Ministries such as the transport ministry can show immediate physical outcomes of its schemes whereas in health related schemes, in certain cases, there is no output to show for. Surveys trying to ascertain whether someone has benefitted from a scheme or not can result in someone denying being benefitted with the hope of receiving the benefit again.[155] This kind of respondent bias in its various form is being addressed by Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation. The Comptroller and Auditor General of India also assesses the implementation of these schemes.[156]
A number of schemes of successive governments are effective, while others are not effective.[157] [158] [159] [160] [161] Despite various schemes and programmes targeted towards hunger, nutrition remains a severe challenge.[162] The Supreme Court has advised the government to keep finances in mind when coming out with schemes.[163] An example given was the Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act, 2009, a shortage of both schools and teachers. Since their inception, flagship welfare schemes of the Modi government such as Namami Gange and Ayushman Bharat have been sanctioned more than what has been spent.[164] A key issue is identifying who to transfer scheme benefits to and how.[165] In 2017 Comptroller and Auditor General of India (CAG) called Beti Bachao Beti Padhao a failure as per its own objectives.[166]
The government runs various initiatives to increase awareness of government schemes.[167] [168] [169] [170] Awareness of schemes affects the implementation of the schemes as well as who beneficiaries vote for and who they hold responsible for the success or failure of a scheme - the state or center.[171] [172] In 2021-2022 the Government of Goa launched a scheme Swayampurna Goa which involves a government official making eligible beneficiaries aware of the schemes and how to avail them.[173] [174] Nearly 80% of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao funds during 2016-2019 was spent on media advocacy.[175]
There is no official or legalised credit-sharing mechanism between the center and states for the schemes.
In 2014 Congress blamed the Modi government for taking credit for schemes undertaken by previous governments.[176] [177] In 2017 Bhartiya Janata Party (BJP) blamed Telangana Rashtra Samithi (TRS) for taking credit.[178] The Himachal Pradesh government blamed NITI Aayog for a cut in funding to centrally sponsored schemes.[179] In 2019 Mamata Banerjee blamed Modi for taking credit for Ayushman Bharat.[180] In 2020 Modi blamed Aam Aadmi Party for not implementing a centrally sponsored sector scheme.[181] In 2021 Smriti Irani blamed Mamata Banerjee for taking credit of schemes of the central government.[182] BJP blamed Jharkhand Mukti Morcha for not implementing schemes properly.[183]
Welfare schemes are used as electoral campaigns, beneficiaries as voters.[184] Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) has used its implementation of schemes as a vote bank in the 2017 and 2022 Uttar Pradesh Legislative Assembly elections, and the 2019 Indian general election.
Rationalisation is a means to improve governance of schemes.[185] In 2002 there were about 360 CSSs.[186] In 2022 there were 704 CSs. In 2016 a committee came out with the recommendation of rationalising, revamping and restructuring 66 CSSs, grouping them into umbrella schemes, core schemes and optional schemes on the basis of which identification would be easier and funding patterns would differ, among other recommendations.[187] [188]
In the case of a mission, or a scheme or programme becoming a mission or being coupled under a mission, it can mean a signal of prioritization with regard to implementation and funding. Similar schemes can be merged into each other and revamped. A mission can be merged into a new scheme.