- Social sector schemes are a big part of UPSC GS Paper 2 and appear in SSC and bank GK sections as launch-place and launch-date questions.
- Many were launched at specific places that examiners like to ask: Panipat (BBBP), Ballia (Ujjwala), Ranchi (PM-JAY), Jhunjhunu (POSHAN Abhiyaan).
- Pairs with similar names are a common trap — POSHAN Abhiyaan vs PM POSHAN, and PM-JAY vs Health and Wellness Centres.
Ayushman Bharat — Two Pillars
| Pillar | What it does |
|---|---|
| Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) — launched September 23, 2018, Ranchi | Health cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospital care, cashless at empanelled public and private hospitals; implemented by the National Health Authority |
| Ayushman Arogya Mandirs (formerly Health and Wellness Centres) | Upgraded primary health centres offering comprehensive primary care, including screening for non-communicable diseases |
Since October 2024, all citizens aged 70 and above are covered regardless of income through the Ayushman Vay Vandana card, with up to ₹5 lakh a year in cover. Two related schemes: Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (2021) gives every citizen a digital health ID (ABHA), and PM Jan Aushadhi sells quality generic medicines at low prices through Jan Aushadhi Kendras.
Immunisation
Mission Indradhanush (December 25, 2014) aims at full immunisation of children under two and pregnant women against vaccine-preventable diseases. India was certified polio-free by the WHO on March 27, 2014.
PM-JAY cover₹5 lakh/family/yr
PM-JAY launchSept 23, 2018, Ranchi
Vay Vandana70+, from Oct 2024
BBBP launchJan 22, 2015, Panipat
Ujjwala launchMay 1, 2016, Ballia
POSHAN AbhiyaanMarch 8, 2018
Women and Girls
| Scheme | Launched | Key features |
|---|---|---|
| Beti Bachao Beti Padhao | January 22, 2015, Panipat (Haryana) | Tackles the falling child sex ratio and promotes girls' education; run jointly by the Ministries of Women and Child Development, Health, and Education |
| Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana | January 22, 2015 | Small savings account for a girl child under 10, with tax benefits |
| PM Ujjwala Yojana | May 1, 2016, Ballia (Uttar Pradesh) | Free LPG connections to women from poor households; run by the Ministry of Petroleum and Natural Gas; Ujjwala 2.0 began in 2021 |
| PM Matru Vandana Yojana | 2017 | Cash benefit of ₹5,000 for the first child to pregnant and lactating mothers (extended to a second child if a girl, under Mission Shakti) |
| Mission Shakti | 2022 | Umbrella scheme for women's safety (One Stop Centres, Women Helpline 181) and empowerment |
Nutrition
- POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) — launched on March 8, 2018 at Jhunjhunu, Rajasthan, to reduce stunting, under-nutrition, anaemia and low birth weight. Now part of Saksham Anganwadi and POSHAN 2.0. September is observed as Poshan Maah.
- PM POSHAN (2021) — the renamed Mid-Day Meal scheme, giving hot cooked meals to children in government and government-aided schools; run by the Ministry of Education.
- PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana — free foodgrains to about 81 crore beneficiaries under the National Food Security Act; extended for five years from January 1, 2024.
Education
- Samagra Shiksha (2018) — merged three older programmes (Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan, Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan and Teacher Education) into one scheme from pre-school to Class 12.
- National Education Policy (July 29, 2020) — replaced the 1986 policy; introduced the 5+3+3+4 school structure.
- PM SHRI (2022) — upgrades over 14,500 existing schools into model schools showcasing NEP 2020.
- NIPUN Bharat (2021) — foundational literacy and numeracy for every child by the end of Class 3.
- Launch place: Panipat (BBBP), Ballia (Ujjwala), Ranchi (PM-JAY), Jhunjhunu (POSHAN Abhiyaan) — asked again and again.
- Confusing pairs: POSHAN Abhiyaan (nutrition mission) vs PM POSHAN (school meals).
- Coverage numbers: ₹5 lakh per family, 70+ under Vay Vandana, ₹5,000 under Matru Vandana.
Q1. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao was launched at:
✅ Answer: (b) Panipat
💡 Explanation: It was launched on January 22, 2015, in Panipat, Haryana.
Q2. Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY provides health cover of up to:
✅ Answer: (a) ₹5 lakh per family per year
💡 Explanation: PM-JAY offers ₹5 lakh per family per year for hospital care.
Q3. PM POSHAN is the new name of:
✅ Answer: (c) The Mid-Day Meal scheme
💡 Explanation: The Mid-Day Meal scheme was renamed PM POSHAN in 2021.
Q4. PM Ujjwala Yojana, which provides LPG connections, was launched in:
✅ Answer: (d) Ballia
💡 Explanation: It was launched on May 1, 2016, in Ballia, Uttar Pradesh.
Q5. The Ayushman Vay Vandana card covers:
✅ Answer: (a) All citizens aged 70 and above
💡 Explanation: Since October 2024, all citizens aged 70+ are eligible regardless of income.
🔁 Revise in 60 Seconds
- PM-JAY Sept 23, 2018 (Ranchi): ₹5 lakh/family/yr; NHA; Vay Vandana for 70+ since Oct 2024.
- BBBP & Sukanya Samriddhi Jan 22, 2015 (Panipat); Ujjwala May 1, 2016 (Ballia).
- POSHAN Abhiyaan Mar 8, 2018 (Jhunjhunu); PM POSHAN = Mid-Day Meal (2021).
- Samagra Shiksha 2018; NEP 2020 (5+3+3+4); PM SHRI 2022; NIPUN Bharat 2021.
📌 Prelims Traps to Avoid
- ✘ PM-JAY covers hospitalisation, not outpatient visits.
- ✘ POSHAN Abhiyaan is under Women and Child Development; PM POSHAN is under Education.
- ✘ Ujjwala is run by the Petroleum ministry, not Women and Child Development.
Who is eligible for the Ayushman Vay Vandana card?
All Indian citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income, have been eligible since October 2024. It provides health cover of up to ₹5 lakh a year under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY.
What is the difference between POSHAN Abhiyaan and PM POSHAN?
POSHAN Abhiyaan (2018) is the National Nutrition Mission for children under six, pregnant women and lactating mothers, run by the Ministry of Women and Child Development. PM POSHAN (2021) is the renamed Mid-Day Meal scheme for schoolchildren, run by the Ministry of Education.