Top 10 Most Popular Central Government Schemes in India
From Ayushman Bharat to PM Kisan, explore the most impactful and citizen-friendly schemes launched by the Central Government — with benefits, eligibility, and how to apply, all in one place.
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY)
Housing for All by 2026
- Targets urban poor (PMAY-U) and rural households (PMAY-G).
- Subsidized home loans under Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS).
- Focus on women ownership and eco-friendly construction.
- Beneficiaries include EWS, LIG, and MIG families.
- State governments collaborate for on-ground implementation.
Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
Universal Health Coverage for the Poor
- ₹5 lakh health insurance per family per year.
- Covers over 10 crore low-income families.
- Cashless treatment at empaneled public/private hospitals.
- Includes diagnostics, surgery, hospitalization costs.
- No age, family size, or gender restriction.
Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)
Direct income support to farmers
- ₹6,000 annually, in 3 installments of ₹2,000.
- For small and marginal farmers with up to 2 hectares.
- Fund transferred directly to the farmer’s bank account.
- Aadhaar-based verification mandatory.
- Registration through CSCs or state agricultural departments.
Swachh Bharat Mission (SBM) Yojana (PM-JAY)
Clean India by promoting sanitation and hygiene
- Focus on eliminating open defecation and solid waste.
- Financial assistance for building household toilets.
- Community toilet complexes in rural/urban areas.
- Mass awareness campaigns via schools and media.
- SBM 2.0 includes sustainable waste management.
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana (PMUY)
Promote clean cooking fuel among BPL families
- Provides free LPG connections to women in BPL families.
- ₹1,600 per connection assistance from government.
- First gas stove and refill partially subsidized.
- Reduces health issues from traditional fuels.
- Promotes women empowerment and safety.
Digital India Mission
Transform India into a digitally empowered society
- Aims to increase internet access and digital services.
- Initiatives include DigiLocker, BHIM, e-Sign, UMANG.
- Digital literacy training under PMGDISHA scheme.
- Broadband highways and public Wi-Fi rollout.
- Focus on e-Governance and paperless systems.
Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)
Food security during emergencies like COVID-19
- Free food grains (5 kg per person/month) under NFSA.
- Covers ~80 crore people across India.
- Includes wheat/rice and 1 kg of pulses (initially).
- Extended multiple times post-pandemic.
- Operates alongside regular PDS entitlements.
Atal Pension Yojana (APY)
Provide pension to workers in unorganized sectors
- For individuals aged 18–40; pension starts at 60.
- Monthly contribution depends on chosen pension slab (₹1K–₹5K).
- Government co-contribution for eligible subscribers.
- Auto-debit from savings account ensures regularity.
- Tax benefits under 80CCD(1B).
Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana (PMKVY)
Skill development for employability
- Free short-term skill training for youth (18+).
- Certification after assessment by SSCs (Sector Skill Councils).
- Courses include IT, Retail, Plumbing, Beauty, Healthcare, etc.
- Focus on placement, self-employment, and entrepreneurship.
- Training through approved Training Partners across India.
Stand Up India Scheme
Promote entrepreneurship among SC/ST and women
- Bank loans from ₹10 lakh to ₹1 crore for business setup.
- Targeted at at least one SC/ST and one woman borrower per bank branch.
- For setting up greenfield enterprises in manufacturing, services, trading.
- Support includes handholding and loan facilitation.
- Collateral-free loans backed by Credit Guarantee Scheme.
More Central Government Schemes You Should Know About
Beyond the top 10 popular yojanas, the Government of India runs several other powerful schemes focused on education, women empowerment, agriculture, employment, digital access, and social security. Explore these initiatives to discover benefits you might be eligible for.