Last reviewed 1 Oct 2026 · Facts as of 1 Oct 2026 · 5 min read
Time-sensitive subject. State schemes are launched, renamed, expanded or closed by every new government. This note lists well-known schemes and their intent. Always verify the current name, benefit amount and eligibility on the Punjab Government portal or in a recent current-affairs source before an exam. Amounts are intentionally not given where they have changed several times.
1. How to study schemes for exams
For each scheme, learn four things:
- Year of launch and the government/party that launched it.
- Target group (farmers, girls, SC/BC families, senior citizens, etc.).
- Core benefit (cash, free service, subsidy, insurance).
- Implementing department.
Exams usually ask "Which scheme provides X?" or "Which scheme is for Y?", so the target group and core benefit matter more than exact figures.
2. Food and nutrition
| Scheme | Launch | Target / benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Atta-Dal Scheme | 2007 | Subsidised wheat (atta) and pulses (dal) for eligible poor families (blue-card holders) |
| National Food Security Act, 2013 (Punjab implementation) | 2013 onward | Subsidised foodgrains to priority households |
| Mid-Day Meal / PM POSHAN | National | Cooked meals for school children |
| Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) / Anganwadis | National | Nutrition and early education |
3. Girls, women and education
| Scheme | Notes |
|---|---|
| Ashirwad Scheme | Launched 2016: financial assistance at marriage (the "shagun") for girls from Scheduled Caste, Backward Class and economically weaker families |
| Mai Bhago Vidya Scheme | Free bicycles for girls in classes 11–12 in government schools to encourage girls' attendance (named after the brave Sikh woman Mai Bhago) |
| Punjab Smart Connect Scheme | Smartphones for senior secondary students (announced 2021) |
| Post-matric scholarship for SC students | Central–state scholarship scheme |
| Schools of Eminence / Schools of Excellence | Upgraded government schools (2022 onward) |
| Beti Bachao, Beti Padhao | National campaign on the falling child sex ratio, implemented in Punjab |
| Sukanya Samriddhi | National savings scheme for girls |
4. Health
| Scheme | Notes |
|---|---|
| Sarbat Sehat Bima Yojana | Launched 2019 as a state health insurance scheme for eligible families, in conjunction with the national Ayushman Bharat |
| Ayushman Bharat – PM-JAY | National health assurance scheme |
| Aam Aadmi Clinics (Mohalla Clinics) | Neighbourhood clinics offering free consultations, medicines and tests; launched in 2022 |
| Health-cover announcements for all residents | The state has announced larger health-cover schemes in recent years; confirm the current name and cap |
| Janani Suraksha Yojana, Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram | National maternal and child health schemes |
| Nasha Mukti / drug-free campaigns | Anti-drug and de-addiction campaigns, treatment and rehabilitation centres, and enforcement drives |