Learning Outcomes:
- Identify and describe key social welfare schemes implemented by the Indian government.
- Understand the focus areas and benefits of each scheme.
- Recognize the target groups and objectives behind rural infrastructure and development initiatives.
- Grasp the implications of educational and health improvement programs.
- Evaluate financial inclusion efforts and their impact on various segments of society.
Social development schemes have been introduced to address the country’s critical issues. These include various initiatives aimed at skill development, employment, education, and social welfare.
1. Solar Charkha Mission: Launched on June 27, 2018, with a government subsidy of ₹550 crore. This mission aims to employ 400-2000 artisans in each of the 50 clusters identified across India, especially in the Northeast. A Sampark portal was also launched, connecting five lakh job seekers to the Ministry of Micro Small and Medium Enterprises (MSME).
2. ‘Nai Manzil’ Scheme: Introduced on August 8, 2015, for individuals aged 17-35 from all minority communities, including Madarasa students. It seeks to address educational and livelihood needs, particularly for Muslims. It provides new directions for school dropouts and Madarasa students who lack formal certificates.
3. USTAD Scheme: Launched on May 14, 2015, to upgrade the skills of artisans from minority communities, beginning with Varanasi. ₹17 crore was allocated for the scheme in 2014 to promote traditional arts and crafts through improved design and global buyer connections.
4. Van Bandhu Kalyan Yojana: Aimed at tribal welfare, this pilot scheme allocates ₹100 crore to 10 states. It focuses on holistic tribal development with an enabling environment based on community needs.
5. Skill Upgradation Programme for Minorities: Designed to preserve traditional arts and crafts, it received an additional ₹100 crore for Madarsa modernization, enriching the heritage of minority communities.
Several initiatives have been launched to improve rural infrastructure, sanitation, housing, and general development.
1. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan: Launched with a total sanitation goal by 2019, coinciding with Mahatma Gandhi’s 150th birth anniversary. It relaunches the Nirmal Bharat Abhiyan to promote cleanliness and sanitation in rural India.
2. GOBAR-Dhan Yojana: Introduced on April 30, 2018, focusing on converting solid waste and cattle dung into biogas and manure. It aims to enhance the living conditions in villages and promote open defecation-free practices.
3. Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana (PMAY): Initially Indira Awaas Yojana (IAY), PMAY was restructured on September 21, 2016. The goal was to build one crore houses by 2019. The scheme involves direct transfer of grants into the beneficiaries’ bank accounts.
4. Shyama Prasad Mukherjee Rurban Mission (SPMRM): Started in 2016 to provide integrated infrastructure in rural areas, it combines economic activities and skill development using PPP (Public-Private Partnerships) and government schemes.
5. Sansad Adarsh Gram Yojana: Aimed at rural development, cleanliness, and social mobilization. Launched on October 11, 2014, it encourages MPs to adopt villages for integrated development.
6. Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojana (PMGSY): A 2000 initiative focusing on connecting habitations with roads, aiming to complete Phase-I by 2019. The scheme targets habitations with populations of 500 and above in plains and 250 and above in hilly areas.
Important Note: The Atal Bhujal Yojana, launched in June 2018, emphasizes groundwater conservation with an allocation of ₹6,000 crore.
Aimed at improving educational access and quality, these schemes emphasize skill development and inclusive learning.
1. Samagra Shiksha Scheme: Launched on May 24, 2018, to improve school education quality through digital technology and skill development. Schools receive an annual grant of ₹5,000 to ₹20,000 for library enhancement.
2. Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA)/Right to Education (RTE): Implemented in 2010, ensuring every child has the right to quality elementary education. Major interventions have led to a significant reduction in out-of-school children.
3. Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyan (RMSA): Begun in 2009, this program focuses on removing barriers to secondary education, including gender, socio-economic, and disability challenges. It aims for universal access to secondary education by 2017.
4. Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDM): Provides cooked meals to children in government schools, offering 450-700 calories and 12-20 grams of protein. It covers 11.08 lakh schools and includes a monitoring system for effective implementation.
Schemes under this category focus on bringing banking services to all households and extending financial security.
1. Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana (PMJDY): Launched on August 28, 2014, with the highest number of bank accounts (12 crore) opened in one week. Benefits include accidental insurance of ₹1 lakh for RuPay cardholders, provided the card is used once every 45 days.
2. Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Introduced to directly transfer subsidies into beneficiaries’ bank accounts using the Aadhar Payment Bridge (APB). This reduces fraud and ensures prompt fund distribution.
3. PAHAL (Pratyaksh Hastantrit Labh): Relaunched in 2015, it offers a cash transfer scheme for LPG consumers, allowing subsidies directly into their bank accounts through either Aadhaar linkage or bank account verification.
Important Note: The Atal Pension Yojana (APY) targets individuals aged 18-40, providing definite pension benefits with the option to transfer contributions to nominees in case of the account holder’s death.
India’s health programs aim to improve healthcare access, affordability, and quality, particularly in rural regions.
1. Ayushman Bharat Scheme: Launched by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, this scheme covers ₹5 lakh per family annually for secondary and tertiary care procedures without limitations on family size or age.
2. Mission Indradhanush: Initiated on December 25, 2014, it targets full immunization for children against seven preventable diseases. The mission aims to cover all unvaccinated or partially vaccinated children.
3. National Rural Health Mission (NRHM): Launched in 2005, NRHM provides affordable healthcare, emphasizing quality services and community involvement in 18 weak states with poor health indices.
Important Note: Accredited Social Health Activist (ASHA) workers act as interfaces between the community and health systems, facilitating health-related services at the village level.
Various schemes support women’s economic and social empowerment.
1. PMMSK Scheme: The Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendra Scheme was introduced in 2017 for skill development, health, and employment opportunities for rural women, providing a one-stop convergence service.
2. Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao Yojana: Launched with an initial fund of ₹100 crore, this scheme aims to promote gender equality and welfare services for women through campaigns and sensitization programs.
3. Sukanya Samridhi Yojana: A deposit scheme under the Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao campaign, allowing parents to open bank accounts for girls under 10 years. Offers 9.1% interest, tax benefits, and permits partial withdrawals for higher education.
Concept: Ujjwala Scheme: Launched in 2016, provides free LPG gas connections to 5 million BPL families, empowering women by reducing health hazards from using traditional fuels.
4. Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY): Conditional Maternity Benefit (CMB) scheme offering cash incentives to pregnant and lactating women. The benefit is disbursed through bank or post office accounts upon fulfilling specific conditions.
| Scheme | Objective | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Solar Charkha Mission | Employment for rural artisans | 2018 |
| Nai Manzil | Education and livelihood for minorities | 2015 |
| PMAY | Affordable rural housing | 2016 |
| Samagra Shiksha | Improve school education quality | 2018 |
| Ayushman Bharat | Health insurance for families | 2018 |
MCQ: Which scheme focuses on full immunization coverage for children by 2020?
- Nai Manzil
- Mission Indradhanush
- Rashtriya Madhyamik Siksha Abhiyan
- Pradhan Mantri Jan-Dhan Yojana
Answer: 2. Mission Indradhanush