Rajasthan: Social welfare schemes

Rajasthan’s social welfare framework, as detailed in the Economic Review 2025-26, focuses on social inclusion, food security, and labor protection for marginalized groups. The state implements targeted schemes for Scheduled Castes (SC), Scheduled Tribes (ST), Other Backward Classes (OBC), persons with disabilities, senior citizens, and construction workers. These initiatives provide financial pensions, educational support, and infrastructure development to ensure equitable participation and social security.

Social Inclusion for SC, ST, and OBC Communities

• Pradhan Mantri Scheduled Castes Abhyudaya Yojana: Offers financial assistance of up to ₹50,000 (limited to 50% of project cost or ₹50,000, whichever is less) for group-based livelihood projects. There is no income ceiling, but priority is given to families with annual income up to ₹2.50 lakh. In 2025-26 (up to December), 1,441 SC families were assisted.
• Welfare of People in Tribal Area: The total budget provision for 2025-26 is ₹1,229.06 crore, comprising ₹1,051.48 crore (State plan), ₹50 crore (PMAAGY), ₹115 crore (Article 275(1)), and ₹12.58 crore (Centrally Sponsored Schemes). An amount of ₹552.92 crore was utilized up to December 2025.
• Palanhar Yojana: Cash support for children in difficult circumstances; orphans get ₹1,500 a month (age 0-6) and ₹2,500 (age 6-18, if in school), others ₹750 and ₹1,500, plus ₹2,000 a year; 6.09 lakh children benefited in 2025-26 (up to December).
• Child Helpline (1098): Operational 24x7 in 33 districts and 5 railway stations. Expenditure of ₹7.78 crore was incurred in 2025-26 (up to December).

Welfare for Persons with Disabilities

• Two Divyang Universities: Established for education and research; Baba Amte Divyang University is in Jaipur, and Mahatma Gandhi Divyang University is in Jodhpur.
• Scholarship for specially abled students: Provides ₹500 per month to students of classes 1-4 and ₹600 per month to students of classes 5-8, provided family income is less than ₹2 lakh. In 2025-26 (up to December), 76 persons benefited with an expenditure of ₹4.06 lakh.
• Indira Gandhi National Disabled Pension Scheme: Started on 24 November 2009. Provides ₹1,250 per month to BPL family members aged 18 and above. The Central Government contributes ₹300 (under 80 years) or ₹500 (above 80 years), with the State covering the remainder. In 2025-26 (up to December), 13,230 pensioners were covered with an expenditure of ₹6.65 crore.
• Mukhya Mantri Vishesh Yogyajan Samman Pension Yojana: Provides ₹1,250 per month to specially abled persons of all age groups. Leprosy-cured individuals receive ₹2,500 per month, and silicosis victims receive ₹1,500 per month. Eligibility requires family income of ₹60,000 or less. In 2025-26 (up to December), 5.90 lakh pensioners benefited with an expenditure of ₹719.89 crore.

Senior Citizens' Welfare

• Indira Gandhi National Old Age Pension: Launched on 19 November 2007. Provides ₹1,250 per month to BPL families aged 60 and above. Central contribution is ₹200 (below 80 years) or ₹500 (80 years and above). In 2025-26 (up to December), 8.32 lakh beneficiaries were covered with an expenditure of ₹335.49 crore.
• Mukhya Mantri Old Age Samman Pension Yojana: Provides ₹1,250 per month to women aged 55+ and men aged 58+, with family income less than ₹48,000 annually. In 2025-26 (up to December), 51.90 lakh people benefited with an expenditure of ₹7,124.78 crore.
• Elderly and Destitute Welfare Scheme: Operates 41 old age homes and 45 Chief Minister Rehabilitation Homes providing free housing, food, and medical services. Expenditure of ₹13.75 crore was incurred in 2025-26 (up to December).

Food Security and Consumer Protection

• National Food Security Scheme: Under Pradhan Mantri Garib Kalyan Yojana (from January 2024), Antyodaya Anna Yojana families receive 35 kg wheat per ration card per month, while other eligible beneficiaries receive 5 kg per month, free of cost for five years.
• NFSA Coverage: In the State, the ceiling limit of NFSA beneficiaries is 4.46 crore and as of 1 December, 2025, the number of beneficiaries is 4.38 crore. During the year 2025-26 (up to December), 18.76 lakh metric tonnes of wheat were provided to the beneficiaries.
• One Nation One Ration Card: Enables portability for migrants. In 2025-26 (up to December), Rajasthan recorded 1.57 lakh transactions as a Sale State and 57,904 transactions as a Home State.
• Consumer Protection: The State Consumer Helpline (1800-180-6030) is operational since 15 March 2011. In 2025-26 (up to December), 5,050 complaints were received, with 90 per cent resolved.

Labour and Construction Worker Welfare

The Building and Other Construction Workers (BOCW) Welfare Board protects workers' rights and provides social security.

• BOCW Board: Incorporated in 2009. It has registered more than 36.95 lakh construction workers and provided benefits to over 20.09 lakh workers. In 2025-26 (up to December), 1.29 lakh new workers were registered, and ₹303.83 crore was spent on welfare schemes.
• Nirman Shramik Shiksha aur Kaushal Vikas Yojana: Scholarships of ₹8,000 to ₹25,000 for construction workers' children from class 6 onwards, plus ₹4,000 to ₹35,000 incentives for meritorious students. In 2025-26 (up to December), 2.68 lakh beneficiaries' children were supported.
• EPFO Coverage: In 2025-26 (up to December), the Employees' Provident Fund Organisation covered 1.30 lakh establishments, 22.26 lakh accounts, and 1.75 lakh pensioners in the Rajasthan zone.