India’s government has launched numerous Sarkari Yojnas (government schemes) aimed at addressing the diverse needs of its citizens. These initiatives cover everything from healthcare and education to financial inclusion and social welfare, providing essential support to different sections of society. Here is the ultimate list of Sarkari Yojnas that every citizen should be aware of in 2024.
1. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
The Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana is a revolutionary financial inclusion initiative that aims to bring every Indian household into the banking system.
Key Features:
- Zero Balance Accounts: Allows citizens to open bank accounts without the requirement of maintaining a minimum balance.
- RuPay Debit Card: Issuance of a RuPay debit card with built-in accident insurance coverage.
- Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT): Facilitates the direct transfer of government subsidies and welfare payments into bank accounts, ensuring transparency and reducing leakage.
Importance:
- PMJDY has empowered millions of previously unbanked individuals, giving them access to the formal financial system and government benefits directly.
2. Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)
Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana is the world’s largest government-funded health insurance scheme, aimed at providing quality healthcare to the economically vulnerable sections of society.
Key Features:
- Health Coverage: Offers coverage of up to ₹5 lakhs per family per year for secondary and tertiary healthcare.
- Cashless Treatment: Provides cashless treatment across more than 24,000 empaneled public and private hospitals nationwide.
- Wide Scope: Covers a range of medical treatments, surgeries, and diagnostics, ensuring comprehensive healthcare.
Importance:
- PMJAY has been a game-changer in making healthcare accessible to all, particularly in rural and underserved areas, thereby preventing families from falling into poverty due to medical expenses.
3. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)
The Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana aims to provide affordable housing to all by the year 2024, with the motto of “Housing for All.”
Key Features:
- Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS): Offers interest subsidies on home loans to economically weaker sections (EWS), lower-income groups (LIG), and middle-income groups (MIG).
- Affordable Housing: Encourages the construction and purchase of affordable housing units for eligible beneficiaries.
- Urban and Rural Components: Includes separate schemes for urban (PMAY-U) and rural (PMAY-G) areas.
Importance:
- PMAY is instrumental in providing secure housing to millions of Indian families, promoting homeownership and improving living standards.
4. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
The Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi provides direct income support to small and marginal farmers, ensuring financial stability for agricultural families.
Key Features:
- Direct Income Support: Provides ₹6,000 annually to eligible farmers in three equal installments.
- Simple Enrollment: Farmers can easily enroll through the official portal or at local government offices.
- Transparency: Payments are made directly to the bank accounts of farmers, ensuring transparency and reducing delays.
Importance:
- PM-KISAN plays a crucial role in supporting the agricultural sector, helping farmers manage expenses related to farming and daily needs.
5. Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY)
The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana is designed to provide financial support to small and micro enterprises, fostering entrepreneurship and economic growth.
Key Features:
- Collateral-Free Loans: Offers loans up to ₹10 lakhs under three categories: Shishu (up to ₹50,000), Kishor (₹50,001 to ₹5 lakhs), and Tarun (₹5 lakhs to ₹10 lakhs).
- Encouragement of Small Businesses: Focuses on helping small businesses grow, particularly those owned by women, SC/STs, and other disadvantaged groups.
- Flexible Use: Funds can be used for various purposes, including capital investment and working capital needs.
Importance:
- PMMY has been pivotal in empowering small entrepreneurs, contributing significantly to employment generation and economic diversification.
6. Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
The Atal Pension Yojana is a government-backed pension scheme aimed at providing financial security to workers in the unorganized sector after retirement.
Key Features:
- Guaranteed Pension: Offers a fixed pension ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 per month, depending on contributions.
- Government Contribution: The government co-contributes to eligible subscribers’ pension accounts, encouraging participation.
- Tax Benefits: Contributions to APY are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80CCD.
Importance:
- APY ensures a steady income for unorganized sector workers post-retirement, reducing their dependency on family or state support.
7. Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana (PMSBY)
The Pradhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojana offers affordable accidental insurance coverage to the masses, providing financial protection in the event of accidents.
Key Features:
- Accident Insurance: Provides a coverage of ₹2 lakhs for accidental death and full disability, and ₹1 lakh for partial disability.
- Low Premium: An annual premium of ₹12 makes this scheme highly accessible to all sections of society.
- Easy Enrollment: Citizens can easily enroll through their bank accounts.
Importance:
- PMSBY has provided financial security to millions of families, particularly those from lower-income groups, against unforeseen accidents.
8. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)
The Beti Bachao Beti Padhao initiative is aimed at addressing gender discrimination and promoting the welfare of the girl child through education and empowerment.
Key Features:
- Awareness Campaigns: Nationwide campaigns to change societal attitudes towards girls, emphasizing their importance in society.
- Educational Support: Financial incentives and scholarships to encourage the education of girls.
- Legal Framework: Strengthened laws and policies to protect the rights of the girl child.
Importance:
- BBBP has led to a significant improvement in the child sex ratio and has increased the enrollment of girls in schools, fostering gender equality.
9. Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM)
The Swachh Bharat Mission is a national campaign aimed at cleaning up the streets, roads, and infrastructure of India’s cities and rural areas, with a special focus on eliminating open defecation.
Key Features:
- Sanitation Infrastructure: Provides financial assistance for constructing individual household toilets, particularly in rural areas.
- Solid Waste Management: Encourages waste segregation, recycling, and proper disposal.
- Behavioral Change: Promotes cleanliness and hygiene through education and public awareness campaigns.
Importance:
- SBM has drastically improved sanitation across India, contributing to better health outcomes and a cleaner environment.
10. National Pension System (NPS)
The National Pension System is a voluntary, defined-contribution retirement savings scheme that provides long-term financial security for all Indian citizens.
Key Features:
- Flexible Contributions: Individuals can choose their contribution amount and frequency.
- Market-Linked Returns: Investments are made in a mix of equity, corporate bonds, and government securities, offering the potential for higher returns.
- Tax Benefits: Contributions to NPS are eligible for tax deductions under Section 80C and Section 80CCD.
Importance:
- NPS is an important tool for financial planning, helping citizens build a substantial retirement corpus and ensuring financial independence in old age.
Conclusion
Being aware of these key Sarkari Yojnas is essential for every citizen, as they offer a range of benefits that can significantly improve quality of life. From financial inclusion and healthcare to housing and social security, these schemes are designed to empower individuals and foster a more equitable and prosperous society. Take advantage of these opportunities and ensure that you and your family benefit from the government’s efforts to create a better future for all.