List of Government Schemes for UPSC Prelims 2026 Sector Wise

Government schemes in India play a crucial role in socio-economic development and are implemented to promote welfare, growth, and sustainable development. These schemes cover vital sectors such as health, education, agriculture, employment, and infrastructure. For UPSC Prelims 2026, understanding these schemes is essential as they frequently form the basis of direct and application-based questions. A thorough knowledge of central government schemes, their objectives, beneficiaries, and impact is necessary for UPSC aspirants to tackle both Prelims and Mains exams effectively.

Importance of Government Schemes for UPSC Prelims 2026

Government schemes are a crucial part of the UPSC Prelims 2026 syllabus, as they reflect the policy initiatives and welfare measures undertaken by the government. Given the increasing number of questions asked from government schemes in UPSC Prelims, mastering this topic has become a game-changer for aspirants aiming for higher scores.

1. High Weightage in Prelims:
   Every year, UPSC asks at least 10-15 questions related to government schemes directly or indirectly in the General Studies Paper 1.
2. Relevance in Current Affairs:
   Government schemes are frequently in the news, especially during budget announcements, Economic Surveys, and flagship scheme updates, making them highly relevant for the exam.
3. Interdisciplinary Nature:
   These schemes cut across subjects like Economy, Polity, Environment, and Governance, making them crucial for holistic UPSC preparation.
4. Conceptual Clarity:
   Government schemes test conceptual understanding, like the nature of the scheme (Central Sector or Centrally Sponsored), implementing ministries, and target beneficiaries.
5. Dynamic and Evolving Nature:
   New schemes are regularly launched or updated, making it essential to stay current with changes. Aspirants should focus on flagship schemes, amendments, and recent launches.
6. Significance for Mains and Interview:
   Government schemes are integral to Mains as candidates are expected to suggest schemes as solutions for socio-economic issues. In interviews, candidates are often asked to discuss the role and impact of these schemes.

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List of Government Schemes for UPSC Prelims 2026

Government schemes play a pivotal role in the UPSC Prelims 2026 as they showcase the government’s development initiatives aimed at improving socio-economic welfare. Covering diverse sectors like health, education, employment, and infrastructure, these schemes reflect India’s policy priorities. Below is a comprehensive list of important government schemes, their key objectives, and benefits categorized ministry-wise.

1. Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers Welfare

• Soil Health Card Scheme:
  Aims to promote soil health by providing soil health cards to farmers every three years. It assesses soil quality and offers recommendations on nutrient management to boost agricultural productivity.

2. Ministry of AYUSH

• National AYUSH Mission (NAM):
  Focuses on promoting AYUSH healthcare systems (Ayurveda, Yoga, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy) by improving access to AYUSH hospitals, dispensaries, and wellness centers. It also integrates AYUSH with public healthcare.

3. Ministry of Chemicals and Fertilizers

• Nutrient Based Subsidy (NBS) Scheme:
  Provides subsidies to fertilizers based on their nutrient content, encouraging the balanced use of fertilizers like Nitrogen (N), Phosphorus (P), Potash (K), and Sulfur (S). This helps maintain soil health and reduces environmental pollution.

4. Ministry of Defence

• ADITI (Acing Development of Innovative Technologies with iDEX) Scheme:
  Focuses on indigenizing critical defense technologies by supporting startups and MSMEs to develop innovative products for the Indian defense sector. It aims to reduce dependency on imports and strengthen India’s defense capabilities.

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5. Ministry of Education

• Pradhan Mantri Uchchatar Shiksha Abhiyan (PM-USHA):
  Aims to improve the quality of higher education by upgrading infrastructure, enhancing accreditation, and providing financial support to state universities and colleges. It also promotes multi-disciplinary education and vocational training.

6. Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying

• Pradhan Mantri Matsya Kisan Samridhi Sah-Yojana (PM-MKSSY):
  Aims to formalize the fisheries sector and support micro and small fishery enterprises. It facilitates the adoption of aquaculture insurance and improves the fisheries value chain.
• Animal Husbandry Infrastructure Development Fund (AHIDF):
  Provides financial assistance for setting up dairy and meat processing units, animal feed plants, and veterinary vaccine production facilities. The goal is to boost the dairy and meat sector while creating employment opportunities.

7. Ministry of Heavy Industries

• Electric Mobility Promotion Scheme (EMPS):
  Supports the adoption of electric two-wheelers (e-2W) and three-wheelers (e-3W) to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. It aims to promote green mobility and create an EV manufacturing ecosystem in India.
• Production Linked Incentive (PLI) Scheme for Automobile and Auto Component Industry (PLI-AUTO):
  Offers incentives for domestic production of electric vehicles (EVs) and hydrogen fuel cell vehicles. It seeks to increase India’s share in the global automotive trade and reduce dependency on imports.

8. Ministry of Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises (MSME)

• Raising And Accelerating MSME Productivity (RAMP):
  Aims to increase MSME productivity by promoting digitalization, innovation, and technology upgrades. It supports delayed payment resolution and encourages the participation of states in MSME development.

9. Ministry of Mines

• Pradhan Mantri Khanij Kshetra Kalyan Yojana (PMKKKY):
  A welfare scheme aimed at improving the socio-economic well-being of communities in mining-affected areas. The scheme funds development projects in health, education, and infrastructure for affected populations.

10. Ministry of New & Renewable Energy

• PM-Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana:
  Aims to promote residential rooftop solar systems for clean energy production. The scheme provides financial support for rooftop installations to help households generate their own electricity and reduce energy bills.

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11. Ministry of Road Transport & Highways

• Bharatmala Pariyojana Programme:
  A national-level program to build highways, expressways, and economic corridors. It aims to improve connectivity, enhance logistics efficiency, and support India’s trade and industrial growth.

12. Ministry of Statistics and Programme Implementation (MOSPI)

• Member of Parliament Local Area Development Scheme (MPLADS):
  Provides each Member of Parliament (MP) with a fund of ₹5 crore annually to develop infrastructure in their constituency. Funds are used for community asset creation, sanitation, and welfare projects.

13. Ministry of Tribal Affairs

• Pradhan Mantri Janjati Adivasi Nyaya Maha Abhiyan (PM JANMAN):
  Focuses on the socio-economic development of Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Groups (PVTGs) by providing housing, healthcare, education, and employment support. It emphasizes social justice and sustainable livelihoods for tribal communities.

14. Flagship Schemes in Focus

• PM Gati Shakti National Master Plan (NMP) for Multimodal Connectivity:
  An infrastructure-focused initiative to bring together ministries for the coordinated development of roads, railways, ports, airports, and logistic hubs. It aims to reduce time, cost, and inefficiencies in project implementation.
• Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana (PMKSY):
  Seeks to promote food processing and value chain development from farm to market. The scheme creates cold storage chains, food processing units, and agro-processing clusters to reduce wastage and increase farmers’ income.

List of Important Government Schemes for UPSC Prelims 2026

Government schemes are a crucial part of the UPSC Prelims 2026 syllabus as they reflect the government’s policy priorities and welfare initiatives. Here’s a list of the most important schemes categorized by sector, along with their implementing ministries, to help aspirants streamline their preparation.

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By following these strategies and focusing on relevant government schemes, candidates can ensure a comprehensive understanding of their objectives, features, and benefits. This approach will help you answer both direct and conceptual questions in the UPSC Prelims 2026.

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