NATIONAL SCHEMES

14-Jul-2026
0 Days
3
0

Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) Scheme

Background: The Union Minister for Food Processing Industries presided over a special national event in New Delhi to celebrate the historic milestone of the number of beneficiaries availing credit facilities reaching two lakhs.

About Scheme

The ‘Pradhan Mantri Formalisation of Micro Food Processing Enterprises (PM FME) Scheme’ is a centrally sponsored scheme aimed at supporting and strengthening the informal micro food processing sector in India.
By providing financial assistance, advanced technology, common infrastructure, branding support, and easy access to bank credit, the scheme helps small food processing businesses become part of the formal economy.

Launch Details

Launched on 29 June 2020.
Introduced under the ‘Atmanirbhar Bharat Abhiyan’ (Self-Reliant India Mission).

Implementing Ministry

Implemented by the Union Ministry of Food Processing Industries.

Objective

To formalize approximately 25 lakh informal micro food processing enterprises across the country.
To enhance their productivity, quality, competitiveness, and market access.

Key Features

35% credit-linked capital subsidy.
Eligible micro food processing units receive a 35% subsidy on the cost of upgrading machinery, technology, and packaging.
The maximum subsidy available is ₹10 lakh.

One District One Product (ODOP)

Each district promotes a key food product based on local resources and demand. • This helps enhance the production, processing, branding, and marketing of the product.

Support for Common Infrastructure

Farmer Producer Organizations (FPOs), cooperative societies, and federations of Self-Help Groups (SHGs) can avail a 35% subsidy (up to ₹3 crore) to establish common facilities such as processing units, storage facilities, testing laboratories, and packaging centers.

Seed Capital for SHG Members

Seed capital of ₹40,000 is provided to each eligible SHG member.
This amount can be utilized as working capital or for purchasing small food processing equipment.

Branding and Marketing Assistance

FPOs and cooperative societies receive 50% financial assistance for branding, attractive packaging, online marketing, and selling products through organized retail markets. District Resource Persons (DRPs)
DRPs assist entrepreneurs in preparing project reports, completing documentation, registering the business, submitting applications, and securing bank loans.

Funding Sharing Pattern

General States and Union Territories with a Legislature: The Central and State governments share the cost in a 60:40 ratio.
North-Eastern and Himalayan States: Costs are shared between the Central and State governments in a 90:10 ratio.
Union Territories without a Legislature: The Central Government bears the entire cost (100%) of the scheme.

PM SVANidhi “Street Food Hubs” Scheme

Background: Lakhanpur has recently been selected as one of the first few cities under the PM SVANidhi “Street Food Hubs” scheme.

Objective

The primary objective of the scheme is to upgrade tourist destinations into attractive ‘food streets’ that showcase unique local and regional cuisines.

Scheme Details

The Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs plans to set up 50 street food hubs across the country.

Selection Criteria

High tourism potential.
Cultural and heritage significance.
Unique and traditional local cuisines.
Linkage with key government schemes (e.g.):

Swadesh Darshan
PRASHAD Scheme
UNESCO World Heritage Sites
UNESCO Creative Cities

Financial Assistance

₹4 crore in funding will be provided by the Central Government for each selected project.
This amount will be released in three installments.
An incentive of ₹25 lakh will also be provided to the concerned Urban Local Body.

Implementation Mechanism

The scheme is jointly implemented by the following agencies:

Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs
Ministry of Tourism
Food Safety and Standards Authority of India (FSSAI)

Special Assistance Scheme for Capital Investment for States

Context: The Central Government has recently approved 28 key projects proposed by the Delhi Government under the ‘Special Assistance Scheme for Capital Investment for States’ (SASCI).

About the SASCI Scheme

The ‘Special Assistance Scheme for Capital Investment for States’ (SASCI) is a Central Government scheme that provides interest-free financial assistance to States and Union Territories for infrastructure and capital investment projects.
The scheme is implemented by the Union Ministry of Finance.
It was launched in the 2020-21 financial year to help States recover from the financial distress caused by the COVID-19 pandemic.

Key Features

The Central Government provides interest-free loans with a tenure of 50 years to States and Union Territories.
The primary objectives of the scheme are to boost capital expenditure and enhance infrastructure development.
The scheme also offers financial incentives to States that undertake significant reforms and increase capital investment.
It supports comprehensive tourism infrastructure development and aims to create a holistic and superior experience for tourists.
Financial assistance is provided for selected tourism and infrastructure projects.
The scheme focuses on strengthening every stage of the tourism value chain, including planning, design, development, sustainable operation, and maintenance.
Projects to be implemented under this scheme are selected based on proposals submitted by the respective State governments.

NSFDC Schemes

Background: The National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation (NSFDC), operating under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, has played a pivotal role in promoting entrepreneurship and self-employment among eligible Scheduled Caste beneficiaries and improving their socio-economic status through its concessional loan schemes.

About NSFDC

NSFDC was established in 1989 under the name ‘National Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes Finance and Development Corporation’.

- Since 2001, it has been functioning exclusively for the empowerment of Scheduled Castes.
- It is a Government of India undertaking, fully owned by the government and incorporated under Section 8 of the Companies Act, 2013, functioning under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
- Its headquarters is located in Delhi.
- It provides financial assistance for income-generating schemes for the target group through state-level agencies.

It also provides funding for the economic development of Scheduled Caste individuals residing in rural and urban areas whose annual family income is up to ₹3.00 lakh.

- It is managed by a Board of Directors comprising representatives from the Central Government, State Scheduled Castes Development Corporations, financial institutions, and non-official members belonging to the Scheduled Caste community
- Objective: NSFDC schemes enhance entrepreneurship, income, and self-employment opportunities among Scheduled Castes.

The National Scheduled Castes Finance and Development Corporation operates under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It is a non-profit organization (registered under Section 8 of the Companies Act). It provides concessional loans and skill training for the socio-economic empowerment of Scheduled Caste (SC) families with an annual income of up to ₹5.00 lakh.

NSFDC schemes strengthen entrepreneurship and livelihoods.

Operating under the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment, the NSFDC has significantly improved the socio-economic status of eligible SC beneficiaries through its concessional loan schemes.

Key Loan Schemes

Term Loan Scheme: Provides loan assistance covering up to 90–95% of the project cost (maximum loan amount up to ₹45 lakh).
Micro-Credit Finance: Small loans of up to ₹1.40 lakh for setting up micro-enterprises.
Mahila Samriddhi Yojana: Concessional loans of up to ₹1.40 lakh provided exclusively for SC women entrepreneurs.
Education Loan Scheme: Financial assistance of up to ₹40 lakh is provided to eligible students pursuing full-time professional or technical courses in India or abroad.
The study confirms that NSFDC’s loan-based schemes effectively promote entrepreneurship, poverty alleviation, sustainable livelihoods, and financial inclusion among the Scheduled Caste community.
The NSFDC plans to expand its services to eligible beneficiaries across the country, enhance service delivery, and increase opportunities for accessing affordable loans.

PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana

Background: The ‘PM Surya Ghar: Muft Bijli Yojana’ (Rooftop Solar Scheme for Free Electricity) has been in the news as the government continues to promote the installation of rooftop solar power systems, encourage household participation in renewable energy usage, and accelerate the adoption of clean energy across the country. The Central Government has launched this scheme.

About the Scheme

Objective: To provide electricity to 10 million (1 crore) households by supplying up to 300 units of free electricity per month.
Reducing Financial Burden: Providing subsidies directly to people’s bank accounts and offering bank loans at very low interest rates.
Enhanced Convenience: All stakeholders associated with the scheme will be integrated under a single National Online Portal.
Creating Awareness: Incentives will be provided to Urban Local Bodies and Panchayats to promote rooftop solar power systems in their respective areas.
Other Benefits: Additional income, reduced electricity bills, and job creation.

Objectives

To promote the adoption of rooftop solar power systems in households across India.
To provide up to 300 units of free electricity per month through rooftop solar power systems.
To reduce electricity bills and increase household savings.
To increase the use of clean and renewable energy in support of India’s energy transition.
To reduce dependence on traditional fossil fuels and lower carbon emissions.
Enabling households to earn additional income by selling surplus electricity to the grid (in areas with net metering facilities).
Enhancing energy security and contributing to the achievement of India’s renewable energy and climate goals.

AMRUT – Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation

Context: Through ‘AMRUT 2.0’, the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs is supporting the Prime Minister’s campaign: “Catch the Rain – where it falls, when it falls.” Under this mission, measures such as rainwater harvesting, groundwater recharging, and the restoration of lakes, ponds, and other water bodies are being undertaken in cities across India to enhance water conservation and ensure long-term water security.

About AMRUT

The AMRUT mission was launched by the Government of India in 2015.
Its primary objective is to provide basic urban services such as drinking water supply, sewerage systems, urban transport, and parks.
The mission aims to improve the quality of life for the people, particularly those belonging to poor and disadvantaged sections of society.
It focuses significantly on creating infrastructure that delivers better public services in cities.

Objectives

Ensuring access to piped drinking water connections and consistent water supply for every household.
Providing sewerage connections to households.
Enhancing the aesthetic appeal and livability of cities by creating parks, green spaces, and open areas.
Reducing pollution by promoting public transport and non-motorized modes of transport, such as walking and cycling.

Scope

The scheme covers 500 cities and towns.
It includes all cities with a population of over one lakh and all notified municipalities. Achievements
Over 10 million (1 crore) household tap water connections have been provided.
Approximately 8.5 million (85 lakh) additional sewer connections have been provided.
These improvements have benefited more than 40 million (4 crore) people.

AMRUT 2.0

AMRUT 2.0 is the second phase of the AMRUT mission.
It focuses on the following:
- Improving sewage and septic tank management.
- Transforming cities into water-secure urban areas.
- Ensuring that untreated sewage does not discharge into rivers.

Objective

To ensure 100% piped drinking water supply to all households across approximately 4,800 Urban Local Bodies by providing about 26.8 million (2.68 crore) new tap connections.
To ensure 100% sewage and septage management facilities in 500 AMRUT cities by providing approximately 26.4 million (2.64 crore) sewer or septage connections.

Policies and Key Features

The scheme adopts a ‘circular economy’ approach by promoting the reuse and efficient utilization of water resources.
It encourages the conservation and restoration of rivers, lakes, ponds, and groundwater sources.
It promotes data-driven water management for better planning and monitoring.
A ‘Technology Sub-Mission’ has been introduced to leverage modern technologies and global best practices.
‘Peyal Survekshan’ (Water Survey) is conducted to foster healthy competition among cities in improving water services. Scope of Operations
The AMRUT 2.0 scheme is being expanded from the 500 cities covered in the first phase to approximately 4,800 cities and towns.
It will provide 2.68 crore tap water connections to urban households.
More than 10.5 crore people living in urban areas are expected to benefit from this scheme.

Financial Allocation