List of Central Ministries and Their Major Schemes

Central ministries implement a wide range of schemes that matter for Prelims revision, especially in education, health, rural development, urban affairs, digital infrastructure, water management, and women’s welfare. A quick grasp of the parent ministry and the flagship scheme helps in matching questions correctly.

Many schemes are recurring favourites in exams because they combine constitutional, administrative, and welfare dimensions. The following summary highlights the most important current programmes and institutional changes mentioned in the source.

Ministry of Education and Ministry of Housing & Urban Affairs

The Ministry of Education handles national learning standards, school infrastructure, and major education schemes. The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs oversees urban development, housing, sanitation, and basic civic infrastructure.

• Samagra Shiksha Abhiyan: An integrated scheme for school education from pre-school to Class 12, aligned with the goals of NEP 2020.
• PM Schools for Rising India (PM-SHRI): A centrally sponsored scheme to develop more than 14,500 schools as model institutions.
• PM POSHAN: The renamed Mid-day Meal Scheme, providing hot cooked meals to children in government and government-aided schools.
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Urban (PMAY-U): A flagship housing scheme for eligible urban households, aimed at providing all-weather pucca houses.
• Swachh Bharat Mission-Urban (SBM-U): Focused on garbage-free cities, scientific solid waste management, and sanitation systems.
• Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT): Supports water supply, sewerage networks, and green spaces in selected cities.

Ministry of Health & Family Welfare and Ministry of Rural Development

The Ministry of Health and Family Welfare is responsible for public health delivery and health insurance coverage. The Ministry of Rural Development works on poverty alleviation, rural infrastructure, and livelihood support.

• Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY): Provides health cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary care hospitalization.
• AB-PMJAY senior citizen cover: The scheme now covers all senior citizens aged 70 and above, regardless of income.
• Viksit Bharat – VB-GRAM-G: Launched on July 1, 2026, to accelerate structural development, sanitation, and connectivity across rural habitations.
• Lakhpati Didi Dashboard and SHE LEAPS Platform: Introduced in June 2026 to support and monitor rural women self-help group members.
• Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MGNREGS): Provides wage employment in rural areas.
• Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G): A rural housing scheme for eligible households.
• Digital India Land Records Modernization Programme (DILRMP): Focuses on modernising land records and related systems.

Ministry of Jal Shakti and Ministry of Electronics & IT

The Ministry of Jal Shakti deals with water resources and conservation, while the Ministry of Electronics and Information Technology (MeitY) manages digital infrastructure, electronics manufacturing, and technology policy.

• Jal Jeevan Mission (JJM) 2.0: Reform-linked MoUs were signed in March 2026 with states including Gujarat, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, Chhattisgarh, and Goa.
• Jal Sanchay Jan Bhagidari (JSJB) 2.0: A community-led initiative for groundwater recharge, river rejuvenation, and water conservation.
• Electronics Components Manufacturing Scheme (ECMS): As of August 2026, MeitY approved 106 applications across 15 states with approved investment commitments of ₹69,548 crore.
• Semicon 2.0 Scheme: Launched in late August 2026 with notifications for six implementation pillars.
• Semicon 2.0 focus areas: Chip design, fabrication, ATMP/OSAT, R&D, and talent development.

Ministry of Women and Child Development

The Ministry of Women and Child Development operates umbrella schemes for nutrition, safety, welfare, and empowerment of women and children.

• Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0: An integrated nutrition support programme for children, adolescent girls, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.
• Mission Shakti: A unified framework for the safety, security, and social and economic empowerment of women.
• Mission Vatsalya: Focuses on child protection services, child welfare systems, and child-care institutions.
• Poshan Pakhwada: The eighth edition was launched in September 2026 with attention to early childhood brain development and maternal health.

Key Prelims Takeaways

• AB-PMJAY: Health cover of ₹5 lakh per family per year for secondary and tertiary hospitalisation.
• Senior citizens under AB-PMJAY: All citizens aged 70 and above are covered, irrespective of income.
• MoHUA structure: The ministry functions through two departments—Capital Development and Urban Development.
• PM-SHRI: A model-school scheme covering more than 14,500 schools.
• VB-GRAM-G: Launched on July 1, 2026 for rural infrastructure, sanitation, and connectivity.
• ECMS: MeitY approved 106 applications across 15 states with investment commitments of ₹69,548 crore.
• Semicon 2.0: Covers six pillars, including chip design, fabrication, ATMP/OSAT, R&D, and talent development.