Under Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s leadership, several government schemes have been introduced or expanded, aiming to transform India’s economic and social landscape. These initiatives have focused on a wide range of sectors such as infrastructure, healthcare, education, digitalization, and poverty alleviation. Here’s an overview of some of the top schemes that have made a significant impact:
Top Government Schemes:
1. Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY)
Launched: 2014
This financial inclusion scheme aimed at providing access to financial services to the unbanked population of India. It focuses on providing a basic savings account, credit, insurance, and pension to millions of people, especially in rural areas. By 2024, the scheme had achieved opening over 46 crore bank accounts, making it one of the largest financial inclusion programs in the world.
2. Swachh Bharat Abhiyan (Clean India Mission)
Launched: 2014
This nationwide initiative aimed at improving sanitation and eliminating open defecation in India. The scheme encouraged the construction of millions of toilets in rural and urban areas. It also aimed at promoting cleanliness through mass awareness campaigns and the proper disposal of waste. This initiative significantly improved sanitation facilities, especially in rural areas.
3. Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)
Launched: 2016
The goal of this scheme was to provide free LPG connections to women from below-poverty-line households. It aimed at replacing unhealthy cooking methods like using firewood, which leads to health problems, with cleaner, more efficient LPG stoves. The initiative has benefited over 8 crore women across the country.
4. Make in India
Launched: 2014
This initiative aimed at boosting India’s manufacturing sector by encouraging domestic and foreign investments, creating job opportunities, and improving the country’s ease of doing business. The program has attracted global companies to set up manufacturing units in India, thus contributing to industrial growth and job creation.
5. Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
Launched: 2015
This pension scheme was targeted at workers in the unorganized sector to provide them with a steady income post-retirement. Under this scheme, subscribers contribute to the pension fund, which guarantees them a monthly pension ranging from ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 once they attain the age of 60.
6. Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)
Launched: 2015
PMAY aims to provide affordable housing to all by 2022. It offers subsidies on home loans and assists in constructing houses for economically weaker sections (EWS), low-income groups (LIG), and middle-income groups (MIG). Under this initiative, millions of houses have been built or are under construction.
7. Digital India
Launched: 2015
This ambitious scheme aimed at transforming India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy. The program focuses on enhancing internet connectivity, digital literacy, and e-governance. It has played a crucial role in expanding access to online services such as education, healthcare, and government benefits.
8. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
Launched: 2015
This social initiative was created to address gender discrimination and improve the welfare of girls in India. It aims to promote the education and empowerment of girls, curb female foeticide, and ensure that girls receive equal opportunities in education and society. The scheme has helped improve sex ratio and has encouraged the enrollment of girls in schools.
9. Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
Launched: 2019
This program offers direct financial support to farmers, aiming to provide them with ₹6,000 per year, disbursed in three equal installments. The scheme is aimed at helping farmers with their expenses on seeds, fertilizers, and other agricultural needs.
10. National Health Protection Scheme (Ayushman Bharat)
Launched: 2018
Ayushman Bharat is one of the world’s largest public health insurance schemes, providing free medical insurance coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization. The scheme is aimed at ensuring that vulnerable populations have access to quality healthcare.
11. Surgical Strike on Black Money (Demonetization)
Launched: 2016
Though controversial, the government’s decision to demonetize ₹500 and ₹1,000 notes aimed at curbing black money, counterfeit currency, and corruption. The move led to a significant shift toward digital transactions and formalization of the economy.
12. Pradhan Mantri Fasal Bima Yojana (PMFBY)
Launched: 2016
This crop insurance scheme provides farmers with a safety net against losses from natural disasters, crop failures, or market fluctuations. The scheme is designed to offer affordable insurance to farmers, protecting them from financial losses.
13. Skill India Mission
Launched: 2015
This initiative was aimed at providing training and skill development programs to youth, enabling them to acquire new skills for better job opportunities. It includes various sub-schemes like the Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY), which offers short-term training in vocational fields.
14. National Electric Mobility Mission Plan (NEMMP)
Launched: 2013 (Enhanced under Modi’s leadership)
The scheme promotes the adoption of electric vehicles (EVs) in India by offering incentives for EVs and setting up infrastructure for charging stations. It is designed to reduce pollution and dependency on fossil fuels, supporting India’s goal of becoming a global leader in electric mobility.
15. Bharatmala Pariyojana
Launched: 2017
This program focuses on building roads and highways across India, particularly in underdeveloped regions, to enhance connectivity. It aims at improving logistics, reducing traffic congestion, and enhancing economic development through better infrastructure.
These schemes reflect the government’s vision of creating a more inclusive, sustainable, and digitally advanced India. However, their success and challenges have been topics of much discussion, with critics pointing out issues like implementation hurdles and disparities in the benefits across regions. Nonetheless, they have made significant strides toward achieving socio-economic development for the nation.