10 Government Schemes That Can Help You in 2026 - Check Full List

The Central Government runs several schemes aimed at supporting citizens across healthcare, jobs, housing, farming, business and social security. Many of these programmes have been updated over time, making it important to know their latest benefits and eligibility rules.

Here are 10 major government schemes that could be useful in 2026.

1. Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY

Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana provides health coverage for eligible hospitalisation expenses. A major change is that people aged 70 years and above can now get coverage of up to ₹5 lakh a year, irrespective of their income. Eligible seniors need to complete the required process and obtain the scheme card.

2. PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana

Planning to install solar panels on your rooftop? PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana promotes residential rooftop solar systems by offering government subsidies. The central subsidy can go up to ₹78,000 for systems of 3 kW or more. The scheme also aims to help households get up to 300 units of free electricity every month.

3. PM Viksit Bharat Rozgar Yojana

For first-time employees, this employment-focused scheme offers an incentive of up to ₹15,000. It also provides incentives to eligible employers for creating additional jobs.

Launched on August 1, 2025, the scheme has a budget of ₹99,446 crore and targets more than 3.5 crore jobs over two years.

4. PM Awas Yojana

PM Awas Yojana aims to help eligible families get access to permanent housing. Under PMAY-U 2.0, eligible urban households can receive assistance for building or purchasing homes. The broader housing programme also focuses on improving housing access for families in need across rural and urban areas.

5. PM Kisan Samman Nidhi

PM Kisan provides eligible farmers with ₹6,000 every year. The money is transferred directly to the beneficiary's bank account. Farmers can check their payment and beneficiary status online. Completing e-KYC is mandatory for receiving the scheme benefits.

6. PM Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana

This food security programme provides free foodgrains to eligible beneficiaries covered under the National Food Security Act. The government extended the scheme for another five years in 2024. Around 81.35 crore people are covered under the free ration programme.

7. PM Vishwakarma Yojana

Traditional artisans and craftspeople can benefit from PM Vishwakarma. The scheme supports workers in trades such as carpentry, blacksmithing, goldsmithing, pottery, masonry and tailoring.

Depending on eligibility, beneficiaries can get training, toolkit support, incentives for digital transactions and access to easier credit.

8. PM Mudra Yojana

Those looking to start or expand a small business can explore PM Mudra loans. The scheme has four categories:

• Shishu: Up to ₹50,000
• Kishor: ₹50,000 to ₹5 lakh
• Tarun: ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh
• Tarun Plus: ₹10 lakh to ₹20 lakh

The loan category depends on the borrower's requirements and eligibility.

9. Atal Pension Yojana

Atal Pension Yojana is designed to provide financial support during old age. Subscribers can receive a guaranteed monthly pension of ₹1,000 to ₹5,000 after turning 60, depending on their contribution and selected pension amount. Benefits are also available to the nominee after the subscriber's death as per the scheme rules.

10. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana

Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is aimed at helping parents build savings for their daughter's future education and financial needs. An account can be opened for a girl below 10 years of age.

The account matures after 21 years, while partial withdrawals are allowed after the girl turns 18, subject to applicable rules. The interest rate is periodically revised and currently stands at up to 8.2%.

Check Eligibility Before Applying

These schemes address different needs, but their eligibility conditions, documentation and benefits vary. Before applying, check the latest government rules and make sure you meet the required criteria. Understanding the scheme first can help you avoid delays and ensure that you receive the benefits you are entitled to.