When Narendra Modi took office in May 2014, India’s social welfare system faced many challenges, including inefficiencies and the presence of many intermediaries that complicated the delivery of benefits. Fast forward to now, and the government has built one of the world’s largest welfare structures. This system aims to help an impressive 800 million people with food security, has directly given ₹4.27 lakh crore to farmers, installed water taps in over 150 million rural homes, and provided health insurance to nearly 550 million individuals.
The Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Anna Yojana (PMGKAY), which started during the pandemic in March 2020 and became permanent in January 2024, is a cornerstone of this welfare strategy. It supports 813.5 million people—approximately 60% of India’s population—by delivering food entirely free of charge since January 2023. The food subsidy for this initiative is expected to surpass ₹2 lakh crore in FY26. Alongside the National Food Security Act, it provides around 56-58 million tonnes of food grains annually, representing unmatched global reach for any government program.
Equally impactful is the Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi (PM-KISAN), initiated in February 2019, which gives ₹6,000 each year in three payments to eligible farmer families. As of the 22nd installment released in March 2026, more than ₹4.27 lakh crore has been disbursed to over 110 million farmer families. Notably, of the 93.2 million farmers receiving support in the latest installment, 21.5 million are women. The program has also identified and recovered ₹416.75 crore from ineligible beneficiaries, including government employees and high-income tax payers.
In the healthcare domain, the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB PM-JAY) was launched in September 2018 to provide ₹5 lakh per family yearly for hospitalization, specifically targeting the poorest 40% of the population. By October 2025, 32,320 hospitals were part of this initiative, and 178,000 Ayushman Arogya Mandirs were operational. This scheme now covers all 36 states and union territories.
Healthcare expert Dr. VK Paul has hailed Ayushman Bharat as one of the decade’s greatest welfare achievements, noting the scheme has facilitated 60 million treatments worth ₹77,298 crore over ten years. By December 2025, the program had 1,184 hospitals removed for fraud, with penalties amounting to ₹231 crore.
The Jal Jeevan Mission, which started on August 15, 2019, aimed to provide water connections to all rural households. As of March 2026, over 158.3 million rural homes have access to these tap water connections, a significant increase from just 32.3 million when the mission began.
When it comes to housing, the Pradhan Mantri Awaas Yojana-Gramin (PMAY-G), introduced in April 2016, has made great strides. Out of a goal to build 41.2 million homes, 38.5 million have been sanctioned and 28.2 million completed by August 2025. This initiative has been extended to 2029, with a new target of 49.5 million pucca houses.
The Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana (PMMY), launched in April 2015, has aimed to provide loans to small businesses without collateral. Over the past eleven years, it has sanctioned 580 million loans, with a total amount exceeding ₹40 lakh crore. Women make up 68% of the total beneficiaries, while 49% belong to socially and economically disadvantaged groups. Prime Minister Modi has emphasized that the total loans to the wealthy do not even compare to the loans given under this scheme, highlighting its extensive reach.
These welfare programs collectively represent India’s significant commitment to improving the lives of its citizens, focusing on food security, healthcare, housing, and financial support for small businesses.
