Government schemes form a critical component of the general awareness, economic & social issues, and descriptive writing sections of most Grade A and B level exams. These schemes reflect India’s commitment to inclusive development, bridging the socio-economic divide, and meeting constitutional and sustainable development goals (SDGs).
Among all the ministries, the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare (MoHFW) stands out as pivotal in promoting public health infrastructure, nutrition, disease control, and the well-being of India’s vast population—especially the marginalized sections.
Why Are Government Schemes Important in Grade A/B Exams?
1. Static + Current Affairs Integration
- Questions often revolve around launch dates, objectives, budgets, nodal ministries, and flagship features.
- Eg: “Which scheme offers free insurance cover of ₹5 lakh per family?” (Answer: Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY)
2. Economic and Social Issues (ESI) Relevance
- Most exams like RBI Grade B and NABARD test schemes under themes like:
- Health & Sanitation
- Education
- Women & Child Development
- Financial Inclusion
- Rural Development
3. Policy Understanding for Essay/Descriptive Sections
- You must quote schemes in answers to justify government efforts.
- Eg: “Discuss India’s steps to achieve Universal Health Coverage.” → Ayushman Bharat, PMSSY, NHM.
4. Regulatory Relevance
- For regulatory bodies (RBI, SEBI, NABARD), knowing schemes helps understand credit flow, priority sector lending, and insurance coverage.
Ministry of Health & Family Welfare: Overview
Nodal Role
- The MoHFW is responsible for policy formulation, implementation, and monitoring of all health programs in India.
- It has two main departments:
- Department of Health and Family Welfare
- Department of Health Research
Objective
- To ensure universal access to affordable, quality, and equitable healthcare services.
🚨 Why Schemes under MoHFW Are Exam-Relevant
🔑 1. Constitutional Mandate
- Article 47: Duty of the State to improve public health.
- Part of Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSP).
🔑 2. Health as a Development Indicator
- Direct correlation with HDI (Human Development Index).
- Strong healthcare = Economic productivity = Policy success.
🔑 3. Health Schemes and SDGs
- Supports SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being.
- Also indirectly impacts SDGs 1, 2, 5, 6, and 10.
🧾 Major Schemes under Ministry of Health & Family Welfare
| Scheme Name | Year | Key Features | Exam Importance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ayushman Bharat (PM-JAY) | 2018 | ₹5 lakh annual health cover per family for 10.74 crore poor families. World’s largest govt-funded healthcare program. | Very High |
| National Health Mission (NHM) | 2005 | Includes NRHM & NUHM. Focus on maternal, child, and reproductive health. | Very High |
| Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) | 2005 | Cash incentive for institutional deliveries. | High |
| LaQshya Initiative | 2017 | Improve quality of maternity care in labour rooms. | Moderate |
| Mission Indradhanush | 2014 | Universal immunization for children and pregnant women. | High |
| PM-Ayushman Bharat Health Infrastructure Mission (PM-ABHIM) | 2021 | Strengthening health infrastructure at district and block levels. | High |
| PM National Dialysis Programme | 2016 | Free dialysis for poor under NHM. | Moderate |
| National Digital Health Mission (NDHM) | 2020 | Unique health ID, digital records. | High |
| NHP (National Health Policy) | 2017 | Comprehensive strategy for universal health coverage. | High |
| National Programme for Prevention and Control of Cancer, Diabetes, Cardiovascular Diseases and Stroke (NPCDCS) | 2010 | Targeting NCDs in district-level setups. | Moderate |
💡 Health Scheme Examples in Exam Questions
📌 Objective Type MCQs
Q: What is the maximum cover under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY?
- a) ₹2 lakh
- b) ₹3 lakh
- c) ₹5 lakh ✅
- d) ₹1 lakh
📌 Descriptive/Essay Example
Q: “Discuss the role of Government schemes in improving healthcare access in rural India.”
Sample Points:
- Reference to NHM, PM-JAY, and Mission Indradhanush
- Health as a right and economic necessity
- JAM trinity and digital health tools (NDHM)
🧠 How to Remember Schemes Effectively
- Group by Ministry (Health, Finance, Women & Child, Rural Development)
- Use Acronyms & Mnemonics (e.g., AB-PMJAY → Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana)
- Make Tabular Notes with launch year, objectives, benefits
- Revise Monthly from PIB & Kurukshetra/Yojana summaries
- Solve Previous Year Questions (PYQs) for trend analysis
📊 Exam-Oriented Quick Revision Table
| Ministry | Scheme | Focus Area |
|---|---|---|
| MoHFW | AB-PMJAY | Universal health coverage |
| MoHFW | Mission Indradhanush | Child immunization |
| MoHFW | JSY | Safe motherhood |
| MoHFW | PM-ABHIM | Health infrastructure |
| MoHFW | NDHM | Digital health ecosystem |
🧭 Conclusion
Government schemes are the backbone of India’s socio-economic development policy, and MoHFW’s health schemes are vital to achieving health equity. For aspirants of RBI, NABARD, SEBI, and UPSC, mastering these schemes not only boosts your general awareness scores but also reflects holistic policy understanding—a crucial trait for future policy officers and regulators.
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