Government schemes are one of the most important areas in UPSC Prelims, Mains, and State PCS exams. Every year, 8–12 questions in prelims and multiple questions in mains come directly from government initiatives, making them a high-scoring subject.

In 2025, the government has continued key welfare and development programs while also launching new schemes. Aspirants must know the objectives, ministries, beneficiaries, and significance of these schemes to answer both factual and analytical questions.

This blog highlights the most important government schemes in 2025 that every UPSC and PCS aspirant should prepare.

Why Government Schemes Matter in Exams?

• Frequently asked in Prelims MCQs.

• Important for GS Paper 2 (Governance, Social Justice).

• Useful for Essay & Ethics papers.

• Helps in answer enrichment with real-life examples.

List of Most Important Government Schemes in 2025

1. Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY)

• Ministry: Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food & Public Distribution

• Objective: Provides free food grains to poor families.

• Why Important in 2025: Extended to ensure food security under National Food Security Act (NFSA).

2. Ayushman Bharat – PM Jan Arogya Yojana (PMJAY)

• Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

• Objective: Health insurance of ₹5 lakh per family per year for poor households.

• Relevance: Key part of Universal Health Coverage, often linked with health sector reforms.

3. Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN)

• Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare

• Objective: Direct income support of ₹6,000 annually to farmers in three installments.

• Update 2025: Continuous releases of installments make it a favorite for exam questions.

4. Jal Jeevan Mission (Har Ghar Jal)

• Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti

• Objective: To provide safe piped drinking water to all rural households.

• Why Important: Target year 2024–25; progress reports and achievements are asked in exams.

5. Digital India Programme

• Ministry: Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology

• Objective: To transform India into a digitally empowered society and knowledge economy.

• Relevance in 2025: AI, digital governance, and digital payments are central themes.

6. PM SVANidhi (Street Vendor’s Atmanirbhar Nidhi)

• Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

• Objective: Provides loans to street vendors for self-reliance.

• Why Important: Ongoing expansion with digital payments and credit support.

7. Skill India Mission (Pradhan Mantri Kaushal Vikas Yojana – PMKVY)

• Ministry: Ministry of Skill Development & Entrepreneurship

• Objective: Provide industry-relevant skills to youth.

• Relevance in 2025: Linked to employment generation & demographic dividend.

8. National Education Policy (NEP) Implementation Schemes

• Ministry: Ministry of Education

• Objective: Transforming school and higher education as per NEP 2020 vision.

• Relevance: Ongoing rollouts in 2025 are important for UPSC questions on education reforms.

9. Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment)

• Ministry: Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change

• Objective: Promote sustainable living and climate-friendly practices.

• Why Important: Global recognition, relevant for GS-3 (Environment) and Essay.

10. Startup India & Stand-Up India Schemes

• Ministries: Ministry of Commerce & Industry, Ministry of Finance

• Objective: Encourage entrepreneurship, credit support to SC/ST and women entrepreneurs.

• Relevance: Boosting MSMEs and job creation in 2025.

Notes for Quick Revision

📌 PMGKAY – Free food grain scheme extended in 2025.
📌 PMJAY – ₹5 lakh health insurance, major flagship scheme.
📌 PM-KISAN – Direct cash support to farmers, continuous installments.
📌 Jal Jeevan Mission – Target year 2024–25, important progress.
📌 Digital India – Digital empowerment, AI governance push in 2025.
📌 Mission LiFE – Climate-friendly initiative, global relevance.

Tips to Study Government Schemes for UPSC & PCS

1. Remember launch year, ministry, and objectives.

2. Make short notes with flowcharts for revision.

3. Link schemes with SDGs, NITI Aayog reports, and Budget announcements.

4. Revise schemes from PIB, Yojana, and Kurukshetra magazines.

Final Thoughts

Government schemes are not just exam topics – they are the reflection of India’s governance and development journey. If you prepare them smartly, they can help you score in Prelims, Mains, and Interview.

Focus on the latest updates, beneficiaries, and impact, and keep revising with short notes. Mastering schemes in 2025 will give you a strong edge in your Civil Services preparation.