Several government schemes related to the education sector have been in the news due to policy updates, budget allocations, and implementation reviews. For UPSC Prelims 2026, aspirants should be familiar with the objectives, key features, and implementing ministries of major education schemes.
Education Sector Schemes in the News
Baalpan ki Kavita Initiative
- Ministry of Education launched the “Baalpan ki Kavita” initiative.
- It is a national effort to compile traditional and newly composed rhymes and poems from various Indian languages and folklore.
- Entries invited under 3 Categories: Pre-primary (ages 3-6); Grade 1 (ages 6-7); Grade 2 (ages 7-8).
- Open Participation: Writers, poets, educators, parents, and students are welcome to contribute.
- Submissions are accepted in all Indian languages and English.
PM-YUVA 3.0 *
- PM-YUVA 3.0 was launched to mentor young authors by the Ministry of Education.
- Launched in 2025 (Third edition; first launched in 2021).
- Implementing Agency: National Book Trust (NBT), India.
- Eligibility: Open to aspiring authors below 30 years selected through an All-India Contest.
- Mentorship Program: Selected authors trained by eminent writers.
- Financial Support: Scholarship of ₹50,000 per month for six months (₹3 lakh total) and 10% royalty on successful publication.
Samagra Shiksha Scheme
- Launched in 2018-19, it is a centrally sponsored scheme launched by the Ministry of Education in 2018 to deliver inclusive, equitable & affordable school education from preschool to class XII.
- It involves a 60:40 split in funding between the Centre and most States.
- It subsumes the Schemes of:
- Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan (SSA): Launched in 2001 to provide elementary education to all children aged 6 to 14 years by 2010.
- Rashtriya Madhyamik Shiksha Abhiyan (RMSA): Launched in March 2009 to improve access to and quality of secondary education in public schools.
- Teacher Education (TE): To strengthen teacher education institutions like SCERTs and DIETs to improve the quality of prospective teachers.
MERITE Scheme
- Union Cabinet approved the Multidisciplinary Education & Research Improvement in Technical Education (MERITE) scheme for 275 institutions.
- Central Sector Scheme | Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Education
- Funding from World Bank and involves collaboration with IITs, IIMs, AICTE, and NBA.
- Objectives: Enhance quality, equity, governance, research, and accreditation in technical education, align curricula with industry needs, and promote women’s leadership.
- Key Provisions: Offers internships, updates curricula to industry needs, organises faculty training, and establishes research hubs with incubation centres.
PM-SHRI Scheme
- Kerala has signed a MoU with the Centre to implement the PM-SHRI scheme.
- All states except Tamil Nadu and West Bengal have adopted the scheme.
10 Years of Unnat Bharat Abhiyan *
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the SWAYATT initiative?
SWAYATT (Startups, Women and Youth Advantage Through e-Transactions) is a government initiative to promote inclusive public procurement through the GeM portal.
When was the SWAYATT initiative launched?
SWAYATT was launched in 2019 by the Ministry of Commerce and Industry to support underrepresented sellers.
What is the objective of the SWAYATT initiative?
SWAYATT aims to improve access to markets, finance, and procurement opportunities for small and local sellers.
Which platform implements the SWAYATT initiative?
The Government e-Marketplace (GeM) platform administers and implements the SWAYATT initiative.
What is Government e-Marketplace (GeM)?
GeM is India’s national online procurement portal for government departments, organisations, and public sector units.
