Welfare Schemes

Census 2027 begins in Uttarakhand; Guv, CM enter info via self-enumeration

The first phase of 'Census 2027' formally began in Uttarakhand on Friday with Governor Lt Gen (retd) Gurmit Singh and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami registering their details digitally through the 'self-enumeration' facility. Under the program, house listing and house enumeration work has begun in the state. For the first time under 'Digital India', citizens have been given the opportunity to enter their information online before a census officer visits their homes. Officials said that this facility of self-enumeration will be available from April 10 to April 24 and after this, from April 25 to May 24, the census workers will go door to door to collect the data. On this occasion, the governor stated that the census is not merely a collection of data, but a cornerstone of the state's development. He appealed to citizens to actively participate in this important campaign through self-enumeration, ensuring the accuracy and reliability of the data. The CM said that accurate census

West Bengal polls: BJP manifesto reaches out to govt staff, women, youth

BJP's Bengal poll manifesto promises sops for employees, women and youth, focusing on jobs, welfare and law and order ahead of Assembly elections

ADB suggests unified social protection framework to cut duplication

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) on Friday said India can enhance its social protection efforts by adopting an "integrated social protection framework" that aims to reduce duplication of benefits, improve targeting and free up fiscal resources for long-term growth. Outlining the policy challenges in India, ADB, in its Asia Development Outlook report said multiple central and state schemes serve overlapping beneficiary groups, with limited coordination on eligibility, benefit levels, or delivery. "A unified framework -- combining pensions, health insurance, and disability coverage, complemented by contributory schemes -- would reduce duplication of benefits and better address the varied vulnerabilities of individuals," it said. This can enable a differentiated approach at the state level, where social protection needs can vary by demographic profile, employment structure, and fiscal capacity. Such an approach would allow governments to maintain or strengthen the protective function

Ministry of Social Justice posts record ₹11,810 crore expenditure in FY26

The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment on Saturday said it has recorded its highest-ever expenditure of Rs 11,810.82 crore in 2025-26, nearly 14 per cent higher than the Rs 10,409 crore spent in the previous financial year. According to an official statement, the expenditure was incurred by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment under the ministry and reflects a focus on timely utilisation of funds for welfare schemes. The department has also recorded the highest-ever expenditure on welfare schemes for Scheduled Castes and Other Backwards Classes during 2025-26. Record expenditure was also reported on programmes related to drug demand reduction, welfare of sanitation workers, senior citizens, transgender persons and people engaged in begging, it said. The ministry said the expenditure highlights the government's commitment to social justice, empowerment and inclusive development of disadvantaged and vulnerable sections, the statement added.

Odisha's Subhadra scheme boosts savings 45%, spending 28%: SBI Research

SBI Research finds Odisha's Subhadra DBT scheme has lifted savings and spending among women beneficiaries, with strong gains among financially excluded households

Mamata releases TMC manifesto, expands welfare schemes for women, youth

The party promised an increase of ₹500 in financial support for women, and a ₹1,500 monthly allowance for all unemployed youth in the state

₹90 cr given to 30,000 girls in first phase of ladli scheme: Delhi CM

Highlighting education, mobility, and domestic empowerment, she announced that funds for 30,000 girls under the Ladli-Ladli scheme have been disbursed via DBT

Centre discontinues rice fortification over nutrient stability concerns

The process of fortification will remain suspended until a more effective mechanism for delivery of nutrients to beneficiaries is identified, an official statement said

PM Modi moves to Seva Teerth, approves cashless scheme for accident victims

After moving into his new offices at Seva Teerth, PM Narendra Modi approved welfare measures, including the PM RAHAT scheme for accident victims and raising the Lakhpati Didi target to 60 million

As Budget renews push for social sectors, gap in implementation persists

Spending on health and education as percentage of GDP is modest and below policy targets

Vishwakarma allocation cut in FY27 despite steady loan processing by banks

Budgetary support for PM Vishwakarma has been cut in FY27 even as banks process lakhs of artisan loan applications, raising questions on credit absorption and scheme scale-up

The economics and art of giving: TN elections may revive freebie debate

With elections in Tamil Nadu approaching, the 'investment or freebie' debate, as part of the overall development question, is likely to resume

MGNREGA to Nirmal Bharat: A look at welfare schemes renamed since 2014

The Centre has proposed renaming MGNREGA to VB-G RaM G, raising workdays to 125; the move adds to a long list of UPA-era welfare schemes renamed since 2014

Over ₹3.25 trn deposited in banks under Sukanya Samriddhi scheme: PM Modi

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Wednesday said more than four crore accounts have been opened under the Sukanya Samriddhi scheme so far and more than Rs 3.25 lakh crore has been deposited in these accounts. In his address at the birth centenary celebrations of Sri Satya Sai Baba, Modi also said in Indian tradition, cows are considered a symbol of life, prosperity and compassion as they help in the financial, nutritional and social well-being of these families. "Ten years ago, the Indian government started the Sukanya Samruddhi Yojana for the education and betterment of daughters. This is one of the plans of the country in which our daughters get the highest interest rate of 8.2 per cent. So far, more than four crore accounts have been opened under the Sukanya Samruddhi Yojana. And you will be happy to know that more than Rs 3.25 lakh crores has been deposited in these bank accounts," Modi said. On cow protection, Modi said a few years ago, under the National Gokul Mission, more th

Bihar elections: NDA's vision of Viksit Bihar faces fiscal roadblocks

The NDA's big mandate and its 'Viksit Bihar' agenda face fiscal strain as the state struggles with low capital outlay and a heavy revenue burden

12 states to spend ₹1.68 trillion on women's cash schemes: Report

A total of 12 states across India will collectively spend Rs 1.68 lakh crore on unconditional cash transfer schemes for women in 2025-26, up from just two states implementing such programmes three years ago, according to a new report by think tank PRS Legislative Research. The report said six of these 12 states have projected a revenue deficit this year, highlighting growing fiscal pressure linked to the rapid expansion of women-centric welfare payouts. "Among the 12 states implementing UCT schemes, six have estimated a revenue deficit in 2025-26. However, adjusting the revenue balance to exclude spending on UCT schemes shows an improvement in fiscal indicators of these states," the report said. Unconditional cash transfer (UCT) schemes, which aim to empower women from economically weaker households through monthly direct benefit payments, have become a key welfare feature in several states. The number of states providing largely unconditional cash transfers (UCT) to women has ...

No data, no compensation: Injured sewer workers slip through legal cracks

On a cold February morning in 2020, Sanjay, a sanitation worker, in his forties, from Delhi's Seemapuri, was called in a hurry by a local contractor. A political rally was scheduled nearby, and the sewer was overflowing. He was promised Rs 300. It was urgent and the money was good, so we went, Sanjay said. Three men climbed down that day, but only one made it out alive. Inside the narrow pit, thick with the stench of toxic gases, Sanjay's co-workers fell unconscious within minutes. Then they pushed me to go inside and check, Sanjay said. He remembers nothing after that but only waking up, 13 days later, in a hospital bed with tubes running through his nose and throat. Sanjay's medical records from the Lok Nayak Hospital mention acute sewer gas poisoning and pneumonitis lung inflammation caused by inhaling toxic gases such as hydrogen sulfide and methane. He suffered seizures, needed mechanical ventilation, and narrowly survived. And the scars of that day remain etched in his bod

PM launches ₹35,440 cr agri schemes, inaugurates projects worth ₹5,450 cr

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Saturday launched two major schemes for the agriculture sector with a combined outlay of Rs 35,440 crore, including a pulses mission aimed at reducing import dependency. The event coincided with the birth anniversary of socialist leader Jayaprakash Narayan. He also inaugurated projects valued at over Rs 5,450 crore in the agriculture, animal husbandry, fisheries, and food processing sectors, while laying the foundation stone for additional projects worth around Rs 815 crore. The 'Mission for Aatmanirbharta in Pulses', with an outlay of Rs 11,440 crore, aims at increasing pulses production from the current 252.38 lakh tonne to 350 lakh tonne by the 2030-31 crop year and reducing the country's import dependency. The Rs 24,000-crore 'Pradhan Mantri Dhan Dhaanya Krishi Yojana' aims to transform 100 low-performing agri-districts. The scheme will focus on enhancing productivity, promoting crop diversification, improving irrigation and storage, and ensuring

Bihar govt spent ₹3,200 crore on pre-poll welfare schemes, shows data

Bihar announces ₹3,200 crore pre-poll welfare schemes, including ₹10,000 for 15 million women, ahead of election schedule announcement

Maharashtra mulls monetising 'Golden Data' of welfare scheme beneficiaries

The Maharashtra government is weighing a proposal from the IT department to monetise non-personal data of beneficiaries of various welfare schemes through its new digital platform 'Samanvay', scheduled for launch on October 2, officials said. The database, termed as 'Golden Data', will carry details of every beneficiary of state and central schemes and will be accessible through a unique 'MahaID' linked to Aadhaar numbers, they said. The portal is currently under trial, a senior official from the Information Technology department said. "Once the system functions smoothly, we may explore monetising the data with private companies, start-ups and financial institutions. This is consistent with central government policy, and privacy-related issues have already been addressed at the national level," he said. The shared information would be anonymised, with no personal details revealed, he clarified. "Such data will help private companies in conducting market research before product ...