Important Government Schemes for Women – A Comprehensive UPSC Guide by Vishakha

 



Women have always been the backbone of Indian society, but their empowerment has often been restricted due to social, cultural, and economic barriers. Recognizing this, successive governments in India have launched a wide range of women-centric schemes to promote gender equality, ensure safety, and enhance their participation in development.


For UPSC aspirants, women-related schemes are highly relevant for Prelims (fact-based questions), Mains (GS Paper I & II), and Essay papers. Below is a detailed account of the important schemes for women, categorized thematically.



1. Women’s Safety and Protection


(a) Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)


Launched: 2015


Nodal Ministries: Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Ministry of Health & Family Welfare, and Ministry of Education.


Objective: To address the declining Child Sex Ratio (CSR), prevent female foeticide, and ensure survival, protection, and education of the girl child.


Key Components:


Mass communication campaigns.


Multi-sectoral intervention in districts.


Encouragement of girl-child education.



Significance for UPSC: Frequently asked in Prelims; in Mains, can be linked to gender inequality and social justice questions.



(b) One Stop Centre (OSC) Scheme


Launched: 2015 (under the Nirbhaya Fund).


Objective: To provide integrated support to women affected by violence (domestic violence, sexual assault, acid attacks, trafficking).


Services Provided:


Emergency response and rescue services.


Medical aid, legal counseling, psychological counseling.


Temporary shelter for women in distress.



Why Important: Enhances accessibility to justice and protection for women at the grassroots level.




(c) Women Helpline Scheme (181)


Objective: To provide 24×7 immediate and emergency response to women in distress across the country.


Features:


Toll-free number (181).


Referral services (police, hospital, legal services).


Linkage with OSCs.


Significance: Strengthens women’s safety mechanism in both rural and urban areas.



(d) UJJAWALA Scheme


Launched: 2007


Objective: To combat trafficking of women and children for commercial sexual exploitation.


Components:


Prevention of trafficking through community vigilance.


Rescue of victims.


Rehabilitation including vocational training and shelter homes.


Reintegration into families and society.



Importance for UPSC: Often linked with ethics (GS IV) and social justice (GS II).



2. Women’s Economic Empowerment


(a) Mahila E-Haat


Launched: 2016


Objective: A direct online marketing platform for women entrepreneurs and Self-Help Groups (SHGs).


Features:


Digital platform for showcasing products.


Supports “Digital India” and “Startup India.”



UPSC Angle: Example of women’s participation in the digital economy.


(b) Stand-Up India Scheme


Launched: 2016


Objective: To promote entrepreneurship among women and SC/ST communities by providing bank loans (₹10 lakh – ₹1 crore).


Key Feature: At least one woman borrower per bank branch.


Significance: Bridges gender gap in entrepreneurship.



(c) Mahila Shakti Kendra (MSK)


Launched: 2017


Objective: Empowerment of rural women through community participation.


Key Activities:


Skill development training.


Awareness generation programs.


Support services for employment and entrepreneurship.


Importance: Promotes socio-economic empowerment at grassroots level.



(d) Support to Training and Employment Programme for Women (STEP)


Launched: 1986 (revamped over time).


Objective: Provides training in skill development to ensure employability of women.


Sectors Covered: Agriculture, handlooms, handicrafts, food processing, IT-enabled services.


UPSC Relevance: Example of women-specific skill training initiative.



(e) Deen Dayal Upadhyaya Antyodaya Yojana (DAY-NRLM) – Women SHGs


Focus: Women Self-Help Groups (SHGs).


Support: Capacity building, bank linkages, skill development.


Impact: SHGs have become a backbone of rural women empowerment and financial inclusion.

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3. Health, Nutrition, and Welfare Schemes


(a) Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)


Launched: 2017


Objective: Conditional cash transfer scheme for pregnant and lactating mothers.


Benefits: ₹5,000 provided for first living child to promote safe delivery and proper nutrition.


UPSC Link: Example of direct benefit transfer (DBT) for women.



(b) POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission)


Launched: 2018


Objective: To reduce stunting, under-nutrition, anemia, and low birth weight in children.


Special Focus: Pregnant and lactating women, adolescent girls.


Technology Use: Jan Andolan campaigns, mobile-based monitoring.


Significance: Integrates women and child health with nutrition security.


(c) Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY)


Launched: 2005 (under National Health Mission).


Objective: Reduce maternal and neonatal mortality by promoting institutional deliveries.


Benefit: Cash incentives to pregnant women for institutional delivery.


UPSC Angle: Often linked with SDG 3 (Good Health & Well-being).


(d) Janani Shishu Suraksha Karyakram (JSSK)


Launched: 2011


Objective: Free and cashless delivery, including C-sections, for pregnant women in government health institutions.


Benefits: Free transport, drugs, diet, and diagnostics for both mother and newborn.



(e) Scheme for Adolescent Girls (SAG)


Objective: Improve nutritional and health status of adolescent girls (11–18 years).


Services: Supplementary nutrition, health checkups, life skills education.


UPSC Angle: Linked with demographic dividend and youth empowerment.



4. Social Security and Welfare


(a) Indira Gandhi Matritva Sahyog Yojana (IGMSY)


Precursor to PMMVY.


Provided conditional maternity benefits to women above 19 years for two live births.



(b) Working Women Hostel Scheme


Objective: To provide safe and affordable accommodation for working women.


Facilities: Day care for children of working mothers also included.


Relevance: Encourages women’s mobility and urban participation.


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(c) Swadhar Greh Scheme


Launched: 2015


Objective: Provides institutional support to women in difficult circumstances (widows, divorced, trafficked, deserted women).


Services: Shelter, food, legal aid, medical care, vocational training.



5. Education and Capacity Building


(a) Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalaya (KGBV)


Launched: 2004


Objective: Residential schooling for girls from disadvantaged groups (SC/ST/OBC/BPL).


Relevance: Focuses on reducing gender gap in education.



(b) National Scheme of Incentives to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE)


Launched: 2008


Objective: Incentivize secondary education among SC/ST girls.


Benefit: Fixed deposit of ₹3,000 in the name of eligible girls.



(c) Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)


Launched: 2015 (part of BBBP).


Objective: Small savings scheme for the girl child.


Features: Tax benefits, high interest rate, maturity at 21 years or at marriage (after 18 years).


Importance: Financial empowerment and long-term security for girls.


6. Financial Inclusion and Insurance


(a) Pradhan Mantri Mahila Shakti Kendras


Already covered under empowerment section, but also linked with financial literacy.



(b) Mudra Yojana – Women Entrepreneurs


Objective: To provide collateral-free loans up to ₹10 lakh to non-corporate, non-farm small/micro enterprises.


Special Focus: “Mahila Uddyami” category under Mudra.



7. Critical Analysis of Women-Centric Schemes


Achievements:


Increased female literacy rates and reduced gender gap in school enrollment.


Enhanced financial inclusion via SHGs and Mudra loans.


Improved maternal health outcomes due to JSY, PMMVY, and POSHAN Abhiyaan.


Strengthened institutional support through OSCs and helplines.



Challenges:


Implementation gaps due to lack of awareness and social stigma.


Funding issues in schemes like BBBP (excess focus on publicity).


Inadequate infrastructure in rural areas for OSCs, hostels, and shelters.


Persistence of gender inequality despite multiple programs.



8. Way Forward


1. Better Implementation: Strong monitoring and evaluation mechanisms.



2. Digital Platforms: Expand digital literacy among women for financial and social empowerment.



3. Community Participation: Engage local bodies and NGOs for awareness.



4. Skill Development: Link women with modern sectors (IT, e-commerce, green jobs).



5. Gender Budgeting: More focus on outcome-based allocations.



9. UPSC Relevance


Prelims: Direct questions on scheme features, nodal ministries, and objectives.


Mains: Women empowerment, gender equality, inclusive growth, social justice.


Essay: Themes like “Empowering women is empowering the nation.”


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