Top 10 Government Schemes for UPSC Prelims 2025

Top 10 Government Schemes for UPSC Prelims 2025

With UPSC Prelims 2025 just around the corner, smart revision is more important than ever. One area that consistently features in the exam is government schemes — typically accounting for 4–5 questions each year.

But not all schemes are equally important. In this post, we’ve curated 10 high-yield government schemes that you must revise to boost your score in Prelims.

1. PM Gati Shakti

• Launched: October 2021

• Ministry: Ministry of Commerce & Industry

• Objective: To create a digital platform for integrated infrastructure planning and implementation across 16 ministries.

• Why Important: Linked with questions on infrastructure, logistics efficiency, and digital governance.

2. Jal Jeevan Mission

• Launched: 2019

• Ministry: Ministry of Jal Shakti

• Objective: To provide functional tap connections to all rural households by 2024.

• Why Important: Water security + Rural development + Budget allocation = UPSC favorite.

3. PM SVANidhi Scheme

• Launched: 2020 (COVID-19 economic relief)

• Ministry: Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs

• Objective: To provide collateral-free working capital loans to street vendors.

• Why Important: Covers financial inclusion, urban livelihoods, MSME support.

4. Ayushman Bharat – PM-JAY

• Launched: 2018

• Ministry: Ministry of Health and Family Welfare

• Objective: To offer health insurance of ₹5 lakh per family per year to over 50 crore people.

• Why Important: One of the largest health programs globally; often referenced in GS-II and GS-III.

5. National Education Policy (NEP) 2020

• Launched: 2020

• Ministry: Ministry of Education

• Objective: Reforms in school and higher education including multidisciplinary learning, 5+3+3+4 structure, and emphasis on regional languages.

• Why Important: Appears in questions related to governance, education, and social issues.

6. PM KISAN Samman Nidhi

• Launched: 2019

• Ministry: Ministry of Agriculture and Farmers’ Welfare

• Objective: Provides ₹6,000 per year in three installments to small and marginal farmers.

• Why Important: Direct income support + Agricultural reforms = high chance of being asked.

7. Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment)

• Launched: 2022 (by PM Modi at COP27)

• Objective: To encourage sustainable lifestyle choices for climate-conscious citizens.

• Why Important: Environment + UN + behavioral change = GS Paper relevance.

8. PM Vishwakarma Yojana

• Launched: 2023

• Ministry: Ministry of Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises

• Objective: Provides training, toolkits, and financial support to traditional artisans and craftsmen.

• Why Important: Skilling + employment generation + MSME sector.

9. SAMARTH Scheme

• Ministry: Ministry of Textiles

• Objective: Focused on skill development in the textile sector including handloom and handicrafts.

• Why Important: Sector-specific skilling + rural employment = good revision pick.

10. Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan

• Launched: 2020

• Objective: A comprehensive package to revive the economy post-COVID with a focus on self-reliance, manufacturing, and supply chain resilience.

• Why Important: Economic context + policy initiative = Mains and Prelims relevance.

Tips to Revise Government Schemes Effectively

• Focus on launch year, ministry, objective, beneficiaries, and features.

• Make flashcards or quick revision tables.

• Solve previous year UPSC questions on government schemes.

• Revise from authentic sources like PIB, PRS, and official ministry websites.

How The Prayas India Can Help

• Access our Prelims crash course covering important schemes with quick summaries.

• Join our Test Series with special focus on schemes-based MCQs.

• Download our FREE PDF notes on government schemes categorized by syllabus topics.

Government schemes are low-hanging fruit in UPSC Prelims — factual, current, and directly sourced from official releases. Make sure these 10 high-yield schemes are a part of your final revision list to maximize your score.