Social Welfare Schemes and Programmes of Maharashtra
This domain tests scheme literacy: what each Maharashtra scheme delivers, who is eligible, and which department runs it. It rewards precision about design rather than memorised slogans.
Health and income support
- Mahatma Jyotiba Phule Jan Arogya Yojana (MJPJAY): cashless tertiary-care cover for eligible families through empanelled hospitals, now converged with Ayushman Bharat. Check the current cover amount in the latest government resolution before quoting a figure.
- Sanjay Gandhi Niradhar Anudan Yojana: monthly maintenance grant for destitute and disabled persons.
- Shravan Bal Seva Rajya Nivruttivetan Yojana: old-age pension for eligible senior citizens, with a state top-up over the central share.
- Majhi Ladki Bahin Yojana (2024): monthly transfer to eligible women aged 21 to 65, subject to a family income ceiling and exclusions such as income-tax payers and government employees.
- Mukhyamantri Yuva Karya Prashikshan Yojana (2024): stipend-linked internship for unemployed youth.
Food, housing and livelihoods
Antyodaya and Annapurna coverage under the National Food Security Act 2013; Gharkul housing for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe beneficiaries; ICDS anganwadi services and Poshan Abhiyaan; UMED and the Maharashtra State Rural Livelihoods Mission for self-help-group livelihoods; Annasaheb Patil Economic Development Corporation for youth enterprise loans; MahaDBT as the single-window disbursal portal.
Worked example
A 24-year-old woman, a graduate, family income of 2.2 lakh rupees, not employed by government, applies under Majhi Ladki Bahin. The check is sequential: age band 21 to 65, woman, domicile, income below the ceiling, no exclusion category, bank account linked to Aadhaar, then MahaDBT verification. Reasoning shown: eligibility is tested criterion by criterion, and any single exclusion defeats the claim.
Traps that cost marks
Mixing central schemes with state schemes; assuming universal eligibility; ignoring income ceilings; quoting outdated rupee amounts, since pension and transfer figures are revised in state budgets.