Social Welfare & Empowerment Schemes

National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction funds free de-addiction, counselling and rehabilitation services through NGOs and government hospitals, meeting up to 90 per cent of approved expenditure. Its awareness arm, Nasha Mukt Bharat Abhiyaan, launched in 272 districts in 2020 and covers all districts since 2023. The national helpline is 14446.

One Nation One Ration Card is a scheme of the Ministry of Consumer Affairs, Food and Public Distribution that lets any of the roughly 80 crore National Food Security Act beneficiaries collect their subsidised ration from any ePoS-enabled Fair Price Shop in India. It needs an Aadhaar-linked ration card and biometric authentication; there is no separate application.

Post-Matric Scholarship for SC Students pays non-refundable course fees plus an academic allowance to Scheduled Caste students from Class 11 onwards whose family income is up to Rs 2.5 lakh a year. The academic allowance ranges from Rs 4,000 to Rs 13,500 a year for hostellers and Rs 2,500 to Rs 7,000 for day scholars, paid by DBT.

PM-AJAY is a Centrally Sponsored scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment that merges 3 earlier schemes to develop Scheduled Caste communities. Adarsh Gram provides Rs 20 lakh gap-filling assistance per selected SC-majority village, plus Rs 1 lakh for administration. Villages and projects are selected by state governments, not by individual application.

Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana provides free foodgrains to about 81.35 crore NFSA beneficiaries through fair price shops. Antyodaya families get 35 kg per household and priority households get 5 kg per person each month, at no cost, from 1 January 2024 to 31 December 2028. There is no separate application beyond holding a valid ration card.

UDID or the Swavlamban Card is a national identity card issued free by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities to persons certified with any of the 21 disabilities under the RPwD Act, 2016. Applicants with 40% or more disability qualify as benchmark disabled. Apply online at swavlambancard.gov.in with Aadhaar.

Accessible India Campaign (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan) is a national campaign launched on 3 December 2015 by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities to make buildings, transport and websites barrier-free across 3 verticals. Citizens cannot claim cash under it, but can report inaccessible places free on the Sugamya Bharat App.

ADIP is a central scheme of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities that gives free or subsidised assistive aids to persons with at least 40 percent disability. Applicants earning up to Rs 22,500 a month get 100 percent of the aid cost. Apply free online on the ARJUN portal at adip.depwd.gov.in.

Central Sector Scholarship of Top Class Education for SC Students pays full tuition fees, capped at Rs 2 lakh a year in private notified institutions, plus an academic allowance of Rs 86,000 in year 1 and Rs 41,000 later. SC students with family income up to Rs 8 lakh apply free on the National Scholarship Portal.

NAMASTE is a central sector scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment that profiles sewer and septic tank workers and waste pickers, gives them PPE kits, Ayushman Bharat cover of Rs 5 lakh a year and a capital subsidy of up to Rs 5 lakh. Workers enrol free through their urban local body.

National Fellowship for Scheduled Caste Students (NFSC) gives 2,000 research fellowships a year to SC scholars who qualify UGC NET-JRF, paying Rs 37,000 a month for the first 2 years and Rs 42,000 a month for the next 3 years, plus contingency and HRA. Apply free online through the UGC NFSC portal after qualifying NET.

Pradhan Mantri Jan Vikas Karyakram is a centrally sponsored area-development scheme of the Ministry of Minority Affairs that builds education, health and skill infrastructure in identified minority-concentration areas. At least 80% of resources go to these three sectors. It is implemented by states, not by individuals, with 60:40 to 90:10 central-state funding.

Samarth is a respite and residential care scheme of The National Trust, under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, for persons with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability or multiple disabilities from BPL and Low Income Group families. Samarth Centres run by registered organisations provide group-home care, with recurring support of about Rs 5,000 per beneficiary per month.

SMILE is an umbrella scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, launched on 12 February 2022 with an outlay of Rs 365 crore for 2021-22 to 2025-26, covering transgender persons and people engaged in begging. SMILE funds shelter homes, scholarships, health cover and skilling. Individuals reach it through implementing agencies, not by direct cash application.

The AICTE-Lilavati Award recognises AICTE-approved technical institutions for work on women empowerment, giving cash prizes of Rs 1,00,000 to the winner, Rs 75,000 to the first runner-up and Rs 50,000 to the second runner-up across multiple sub-themes. Teams from approved institutions apply online, not individuals seeking a personal benefit.

Aam Aadmi Bima Yojana (AABY) is a social security life-insurance scheme administered by LIC that covers rural landless households and 48 occupational groups aged 18 to 59. For a premium of Rs 200 a year, it pays Rs 30,000 on natural death and Rs 75,000 on accidental death or total disability, plus a free scholarship for two children.

The Central Sector Scheme for Rehabilitation of Bonded Labourer, 2016 pays rehabilitation assistance of Rs 1 lakh to a rescued adult male, Rs 2 lakh to women and children, and Rs 3 lakh in extreme cases such as trafficking, plus Rs 20,000 immediate assistance. There is no self-application; the District Magistrate identifies and rehabilitates each released bonded labourer.

The Centrally Sponsored Scheme for Implementation of the PCR Act, 1955 and the SC/ST (Prevention of Atrocities) Act, 1989 gives central grants to State governments and UTs to enforce these two laws, paying relief of Rs 85,000 to Rs 8,25,000 to atrocity victims and up to Rs 2.5 lakh for inter-caste marriage. States, not individuals, apply for the central grant.

The Centrally Sponsored Scheme of Upgradation of Merit of Scheduled Caste Students gives 100% central assistance for remedial and special coaching to SC students in classes 9 to 12, so they can clear tough entrance examinations. It covers coaching, boarding, lodging and books. Students are selected through their schools; there is no direct individual online form to the Centre.

Disha is an early intervention and school readiness scheme of the National Trust for children aged 0-10 years with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability or multiple disabilities. Disha Centres run by registered organisations provide at least 4 hours of daily therapy and training. Parents enrol their child directly at a nearby registered Disha Centre.

This Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund grant pays Rs 50,000 towards the marriage of a daughter of an ex-serviceman (rank Havildar and below) or the re-marriage of an ESM widow, for up to two daughters per family. Apply within 180 days of the marriage through the Kendriya Sainik Board portal and your Zila Sainik Board.

Garima Greh is a network of shelter homes for transgender persons run under the SMILE scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, with around 21 homes operational across 17 states. Each home provides free food, shelter, medical care, counselling and skill training. Transgender persons can seek admission through the run-by NGO or the helpline 14567.

Gharaunda is a National Trust scheme that funds lifelong group homes for adults aged 18 and above with autism, cerebral palsy, intellectual disability or multiple disabilities. It gives registered organisations a one-time setup grant plus Rs 5,000 per resident per month. Families enrol through a registered Gharaunda centre, not directly online.

The Good Samaritan Scheme of the Ministry of Road Transport & Highways rewards people who save a road-accident victim's life by taking them to hospital within the golden hour. The cash reward per incident was raised to Rs 25,000 under the renamed Rah-Veer Scheme in 2025, and ten outstanding Good Samaritans receive Rs 1 lakh each every year.

Green Business Scheme is an NSKFDC concessional loan for Safai Karamcharis, scavengers and their dependents to start eco-friendly income ventures such as electric vehicles, solar gadgets and poly houses. It funds 90% of the project cost up to Rs 27 lakh, at interest of 4% to 7% a year, applied for through a State Channelising Agency.

I-MESA Evaluation and Studies is one of the five components of the Central Sector Scheme "Information, Monitoring, Evaluation and Social Audit" (I-MESA) of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, in force from 2023 to 2027. It funds independent evaluations and research studies of the Ministry's schemes and has no individual citizen application.

The Project Monitoring Unit (PMU) is a component of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's I-MESA (Information, Monitoring, Evaluation and Social Audit) framework. It is an administrative and institutional measure to 1 central mechanism to strengthen monitoring and MIS of the Ministry's schemes. It provides no individual benefit, and citizens cannot apply for a personal grant under it.

The Social Audit component is part of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment's I-MESA (Information, Monitoring, Evaluation and Social Audit) framework. It funds independent audits that verify whether the Ministry's schemes reach their beneficiaries. It is 1 institutional governance measure with no individual grant, so citizens cannot apply for a personal benefit under it.

Indira Gandhi National Widow Pension Scheme (IGNWPS) is a component of the National Social Assistance Programme that pays a central pension of Rs 300 a month to BPL widows aged 40 to 79, rising to Rs 500 a month once the beneficiary turns 80. Most states add a top-up. Apply through your gram panchayat or municipality.

Institutional Support for Development and Marketing of Tribal Products/Produce is a Central Sector scheme of the Ministry of Tribal Affairs, implemented by TRIFED, that funds marketing of tribal goods through Tribes India outlets, Minimum Support Price for Minor Forest Produce and Van Dhan Vikas Kendras. Individual tribals cannot apply; they benefit as suppliers and Van Dhan members.

Kabir Puraskar is a national award of the Ministry of Home Affairs, instituted in 1990, that honours ordinary citizens who risk their own lives to save members of another community, caste or ethnic group during communal, caste or ethnic violence. It carries a cash award of Rs 2,00,000, Rs 1,00,000 or Rs 50,000 across three grades. Nominations are routed only through State governments and UT administrations.

Under NAMASTE, the ERSU component funds Urban Local Bodies to set up Emergency Response Sanitation Units, trained, equipped teams that end hazardous manual entry into sewers and septic tanks. It supports safety equipment worth up to Rs 2,00,000 per unit, worker training and the 14420 citizen helpline. ULBs register on the NAMASTE portal.

IGNOAPS is a component of the National Social Assistance Programme run by the Ministry of Rural Development. It pays a central old-age pension of Rs 200 a month to Below Poverty Line citizens aged 60-79 and Rs 500 a month to those aged 80 and above. Most states add a top-up. Apply through your gram panchayat or municipality.

The National Action Plan for Skill Development of Persons with Disabilities (NAP-SDP) is a scheme of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities that funds free skill training for divyangjan. Training is delivered by empanelled partners and national institutes through the PM-DAKSH-DEPwD portal, where candidates with a disability certificate enrol online at no cost.

This is the institutional category of the Vayoshreshtha Samman that recognises the best public sector organisation for promoting the wellbeing and welfare of senior citizens. Given by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on 1 October each year, it carries a citation, a memento and a cash award. Only public sector organisations qualify; nominations are filed online at awards.gov.in.

The Courage & Bravery award is one individual category of the Vayoshreshtha Samman, given by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment every year on 1 October. It honours senior citizens aged 60 or above who have shown exceptional courage, and carries a citation, a memento and a cash award. Nominations are made online at awards.gov.in.

The Creative Art award is one individual category of the Vayoshreshtha Samman, given by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment every year on 1 October. It honours senior citizens aged 60 or above who have excelled in the creative arts, and carries a citation, a memento and a cash award. Nominations are made online at awards.gov.in.

This Vayoshreshtha Samman category is a National Award for Senior Citizens given by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to the Best District Panchayat for services to the elderly. Instituted in 2005, the awards are conferred on 1 October and carry a citation, a memento and a cash prize. District Panchayats are nominated; there is no individual application.

The Best Research Institution award is one of 13 categories of the Vayoshreshtha Samman, the National Award for Senior Citizens of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It honours the institution doing the best research on ageing and is conferred by the President of India on 1 October. Research bodies are nominated, not individuals.

The Best Institution award is one of 13 categories of the Vayoshreshtha Samman, the National Award for Senior Citizens of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It honours the NGO or institution that best serves older persons and generates awareness, and is conferred by the President of India on 1 October. Institutions are nominated, not individuals.

The Vayoshreshtha Samman "Best Private Sector Organisation" award is a national honour given by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to a private company that promotes the wellbeing and welfare of senior citizens. It is conferred each year around 1 October, the International Day of Older Persons. Organisations are nominated through the awards.gov.in portal.

The Vayoshreshtha Samman is a set of national awards from the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, conferred each year on 1 October. Under the "Best State" category, a State or UT is honoured with a citation and memento for implementing the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act, 2007. States are nominated by their governments, not by individuals.

The Best Urban Local Body award is one of 13 categories of the Vayoshreshtha Samman, the National Award for Senior Citizens run by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It honours the municipal body that best serves older persons, and is conferred by the President of India on 1 October each year. Cities are nominated, not individuals.

The Centenarian category of the Vayoshreshtha Samman is a national honour given by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to a senior citizen who has completed 100 years of age. It is one of 13 award categories presented by the President of India on 1 October each year, and comes with a citation and cash award through nomination, not personal application.

The Iconic Mother category of the Vayoshreshtha Samman honours a woman aged 60 or above who raised her children against great odds and helped them become high achievers. Given by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, this individual award carries a citation, a memento and a cash award. Awardees are nominated, not self-nominated, on the National Awards Portal.

The Lifetime Achievement category of the Vayoshreshtha Samman honours an eminent senior citizen; preferably aged 70 or above, for a lifetime of distinguished contribution to the welfare of the elderly. Given by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, this individual award carries a citation, a memento and a cash award. Awardees are nominated, not self-nominated, on the National Awards Portal.

The National Award for Senior Citizens (Vayoshreshtha Samman) Sports and Adventure category is given by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment to an outstanding person aged 60 or above. The awardee receives a Rs 1,00,000 cash prize, a citation and a memento, conferred around 1 October by nomination and selection: not self-application.

The "Divyangjano Ke Liye Sarvshrestha Placement Agency" award is a national honour given by the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities to the best placement agency for persons with disabilities, excluding government bodies. Presented on 3 December at Vigyan Bhawan, it carries a citation and a shield. Agencies apply online at awards.gov.in.

This is the Best Educational Institution category of the National Awards for Outstanding Services in the Prevention of Alcoholism and Substance (Drug) Abuse, given by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. Notified in 2012, it honours schools and colleges doing outstanding awareness and prevention work with a citation and cash award. Institutions are nominated, not self-nominated, on the National Awards Portal.

National Family Benefit Scheme (NFBS) pays a one-time lump sum of Rs 20,000 to a Below Poverty Line household when its primary breadwinner dies. The deceased must have been aged 18 to 59. Bereaved families apply through the local panchayat, block or district social welfare office, not online.

National Fund for Persons with Disabilities is a Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities fund that pays up to Rs 20 lakh to organisations holding national exhibitions, travel and Rs 2,500 to Rs 4,000 a day to medal-winning or graded artists with 40% disability, and up to Rs 1 lakh for customised mobility equipment. Apply free at nationalfund.depwd.gov.in.

Pandit Deendayal Upadhyay National Welfare Fund for Sportspersons is a Central Sector fund of the Ministry of Youth Affairs & Sports that gives lump-sum ex-gratia assistance across four main categories to former sportspersons in indigent circumstances, and to those injured or bereaved. There is no online form; applications are routed through the state government or Sports Authority of India.

The Pension Scheme for the Tappers in Small Rubber Plantations is a labour welfare scheme of the Rubber Board under the Ministry of Commerce and Industry. It provides an old-age monthly pension to registered rubber tappers who work in small holdings, after they reach the qualifying age. Tappers enrol through Rubber Board field offices and Rubber Producers' Societies; details are available at rubberboard.gov.in.

RMEWF Financial Assistance to a 100% Disabled Child of Ex-Servicemen pays Rs 3,000 per month (disbursed annually) for the lifetime of a fully disabled child of an ex-serviceman up to the rank of JCO or below. Funded from the Armed Forces Flag Day Fund, it is applied for through the Zila Sainik Board on the KSB portal by 31 December each year.

RMEWF Financial Assistance to Orphan Children of ESM is a Kendriya Sainik Board welfare grant, funded from the Raksha Mantri's Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund, that pays a monthly allowance (reported at about Rs 1,000 per month) to orphan children of ex-servicemen of all ranks. You apply through your Zila Sainik Board with the ex-serviceman's records and the child's documents.

The RMEWF Financial Assistance for Ex-Servicemen in Penury (Penury Grant) pays non-pensioner ex-servicemen up to Havildar rank, and their widows, aged 65 and above a monthly grant from the Raksha Mantri Ex-Servicemen Welfare Fund. The grant was doubled from Rs 4,000 to Rs 8,000 a month with effect from 1 November 2025. Applications go through the Zila Sainik Board.

Rashtriya Parivar Sahayata Yojana, the National Family Benefit Scheme, pays a one-time lump sum of Rs 20,000 to a Below Poverty Line family when its primary breadwinner (aged 18 to 64) dies. Administered by state social welfare departments under the NSAP framework, it is claimed offline through the local revenue or social welfare office; there is no fee.

The Educational Empowerment component of SEED gives free coaching to students from De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic Tribe families with annual income up to Rs 2.5 lakh, preparing them for civil services, professional and other competitive exams. Launched in 2022, students apply online on the SEED portal run by the DWBDNC board.

The Composite Medical Health component of SMILE provides transgender persons a comprehensive healthcare package; including gender-reaffirmation surgery, hormone therapy and post-operative support: in convergence with Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, reported at up to Rs 5 lakh cover per beneficiary per year. Transgender persons apply free through the National Portal for Transgender Persons.

SEED is a Rs 200 crore Central Sector scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment for De-notified, Nomadic and Semi-Nomadic communities with family income up to Rs 2.5 lakh a year. SEED funds free coaching for 1,250 students each year, Rs 5 lakh PM-JAY health cover, livelihood clusters and housing. Students apply online at coaching.dosje.gov.in.

The Scheme for Grant of Rewards to the Children of Salt Labourers is a welfare measure of the Salt Department (Ministry of Commerce and Industry) that gives cash rewards of Rs 1,000 to Rs 2,000 a year to school-going children of salt workers. About 3,500 rewards are granted annually; at least 50% are reserved for girls. Proposals are routed through the Salt Commissioner's regional offices.

SIPDA is a Central Sector scheme of the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities that gives grants-in-aid to state departments, universities and registered organisations for 18 listed activities under the RPwD Act, 2016 to barrier-free buildings, accessible websites, DDRCs and skill training. Institutions submit proposals to DEPwD; individuals cannot apply.

This Ministry of Social Justice scheme, part of the SMILE umbrella, gives supportive money to parents who are raising a transgender child, so the child is kept within the family rather than abandoned. It is designed to reach around 5,000 beneficiaries a year, with a monthly allowance reported at about Rs 1,000 per transgender child.

This Ministry of Social Justice scheme gives grant-in-aid, generally up to 90% of approved cost, to voluntary organisations that run de-addiction and rehabilitation services under the National Action Plan for Drug Demand Reduction. NGOs, not individuals, apply through the e-Anudaan portal. People needing help can call the toll-free helpline 14446 for free counselling.

The Scheme of Assistance to State Scheduled Castes Development Corporations gives central share capital to State SCDCs in a 49:51 ratio with the State government. The SCDCs use it to fund income-generating projects for Scheduled Caste families living below double the poverty line, through subsidy, margin money loans and bank credit. Individuals apply to their State SCDC, not the Centre.

This Ministry of Social Justice scheme gives grant-in-aid, generally up to 90% of approved cost, to voluntary organisations running welfare projects for Scheduled Castes such as residential and non-residential schools, hostels and vocational training. NGOs apply through the e-Anudaan portal; individuals from SC communities benefit from the funded services, not by applying for cash.

Supporting Community Radio Movement in India is a Ministry of Information and Broadcasting initiative that promotes low-power community radio run by not-for-profit organisations. Under the 2006 policy, eligible bodies such as educational institutions, registered NGOs and Krishi Vigyan Kendras can operate a 100-watt station covering about a 12-km radius, with at least 50 per cent locally produced content. Permissions are sought through the Broadcast Seva portal.

VISVAS Yojana is a Central Sector interest-subvention scheme of the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment that reimburses 5% interest per year on loans up to Rs 5 lakh (individual) taken by OBC and Safai Karamchari beneficiaries and eligible Self-Help Groups for income-generating activity. Apply through NBCFDC or NSKFDC channel partners registered on the VISVAS portal.

Vikaas is a day-care scheme of the National Trust, under the Department of Empowerment of Persons with Disabilities, for persons with disability who have turned 10 years old. Its centres run for at least 6 hours a day and offer care, skill training and activities. It covers the 4 disabilities under the National Trust Act; families enrol at a registered Vikaas centre.