🪸 Lakshadweep Government Schemes 2026
लक्षद्वीप • Capital: Kavaratti • Population: 65 Thousand • 9+ schemes
| State | Lakshadweep (लक्षद्वीप) |
| Capital | Kavaratti |
| Population | 65 Thousand |
| Total Schemes Listed | 9+ |
| Central Schemes Available | All central government schemes apply |
🏛️ Lakshadweep State Government Schemes
Lakshadweep Island Development Scholarship 2026 — ₹18,000/Year for Students Going to Mainland | lakshadweep.gov.in
The Lakshadweep Island Development Scholarship provides ₹18,000 per year to students from Lakshadweep UT who travel to the mainland (Kerala and other states) for higher education in recognised colleges and universities. Since Lakshadweep has very limited higher education infrastructure, most students must travel to Kochi and other mainland cities for degree courses. The scholarship covers partial boarding, travel, and education expenses. It is administered by the Education Department of the Lakshadweep Administration and funds are disbursed directly to students' bank accounts.
Lakshadweep Fishermen Cooperative Loan Scheme 2026 — ₹2 Lakh Low-Interest Loan for Fishing Equipment | lakshadweep.gov.in
The Lakshadweep Fishermen Cooperative Loan Scheme provides low-interest loans of up to ₹2 lakh to registered fishermen through the Lakshadweep Fishermen's Cooperative Societies for the purchase of modern fishing equipment, outboard motors, safety kits, and repair of fishing boats. The interest rate is subsidised at 4% per annum as against market rates. The scheme is administered by the Fisheries Department of the Lakshadweep Administration and is linked to the Pradhan Mantri Matsya Sampada Yojana (PMMSY). The goal is to modernise the fishing fleet of Lakshadweep and increase the income of island fishermen.
Lakshadweep Social Welfare Pension 2026 — ₹1,500/Month for Senior Citizens & Disabled | lakshadweep.gov.in
The Lakshadweep Social Welfare Pension is a non-contributory social security programme run by the Social Welfare Department of the Lakshadweep Administration. It pays a flat monthly pension of ₹1,500 to three groups of permanent residents of the Union Territory: senior citizens aged 60 and above, widows who have not remarried, and persons certified with 40% or more disability. Applicants must have an annual income below ₹60,000 and must not be drawing any other government pension. The amount is credited every month through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) straight into the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account, removing middlemen and delays. Because the islands are scattered and remote, applications and verification are also handled at local island administration and Social Welfare offices, so residents do not have to travel to Kavaratti. Roughly 8,000 pensioners across the UT currently draw this benefit.
Lakshadweep Post-Matric Scholarship for SC/ST Students 2026 — Full Tuition + ₹1,000/Month | scholarships.gov.in
The Lakshadweep Post-Matric Scholarship for Scheduled Caste and Scheduled Tribe students provides full tuition fee reimbursement and monthly maintenance allowance of ₹500–₹1,000 to SC/ST students domiciled in Lakshadweep UT who are pursuing Class 11 to PhD level education at mainland or island institutions. Applied through National Scholarships Portal (scholarships.gov.in). The vast majority of Lakshadweep's population is Muslim, and many also fall under the ST category (Scheduled Tribe) being indigenous islanders.
Lakshadweep MGNREGA Job Card 2026 — 100 Days Guaranteed Employment at ₹319/Day | nrega.nic.in
The Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) in Lakshadweep guarantees 100 days of wage employment per financial year to every rural household. The daily wage in Lakshadweep is ₹319/day (2024–25), one of the higher rates in India reflecting the island's higher cost of living. MGNREGA works in Lakshadweep typically include coastal protection, coconut plantation, rainwater harvesting, and island beautification. Job cards are issued by local Gram Panchayats and wages are credited via DBT.
Lakshadweep Coconut Farming Development Scheme 2026 — 50% Subsidy on Seedlings, Processing & Equipment | lakshadweep.gov.in
The Lakshadweep Coconut Farming Development Scheme provides 50% capital subsidy on certified coconut seedlings (dwarf and hybrid varieties), drip irrigation, coconut processing equipment (copra dryers, virgin coconut oil units), and storage facilities to coconut farmers in Lakshadweep UT. Coconut and coir-based products are the primary agricultural activity and livelihood source for the islands. The scheme is implemented by the Agriculture & Horticulture Department in coordination with the Coconut Development Board (CDB). Around 25,000 coconut farmers benefit.
Lakshadweep Women SHG Empowerment Scheme 2026 — ₹10,000 Revolving Fund + 0% Interest Loan | lakshadweep.gov.in
The Lakshadweep Women Self-Help Group (SHG) Empowerment Scheme provides a seed revolving fund of ₹10,000 per SHG and 0% interest loans of up to ₹1 lakh to registered women SHGs in Lakshadweep UT. The scheme promotes women's economic independence through activities like coir products, handicrafts, coconut oil processing, dried fish processing, tourism home-stays, and tuna canning. Implemented by the Women & Child Development Department, Lakshadweep Administration. SHGs can further access bank-linked credit under DAY-NRLM.
Lakshadweep Tourism & Homestay Development Scheme 2026 — ₹2 Lakh Grant for Homestay Units | lakshadweep.gov.in
The Lakshadweep Tourism and Homestay Development Scheme provides a grant of up to ₹2 lakh to permanent island residents for setting up registered homestay accommodation units for tourists visiting Lakshadweep. Given the limited hotel infrastructure and growing eco-tourism demand, homestays are the primary accommodation option for domestic tourists. The scheme is implemented by the Tourism Department, Lakshadweep Administration. Registered homestay operators also receive training in hospitality, food safety, and water sports facilitation. Lakshadweep has among the clearest waters and coral reefs in India.
Lakshadweep Post-Matric Scholarship for OBC Students 2026 — Full Tuition + ₹600/Month | scholarships.gov.in
Run by the Social Welfare Department of the Lakshadweep Administration under the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, this Post-Matric Scholarship supports OBC learners who are domiciled in the Lakshadweep UT and continuing their studies from Class 11 right up to post-graduation. Each selected student receives full reimbursement of tuition fees together with a monthly maintenance allowance in the ₹400–₹600 range. Because the islands have few higher-education campuses, many beneficiaries study at mainland Kerala colleges, and the award helps cover that cost gap. Applications are made online through the National Scholarships Portal (scholarships.gov.in), and the sanctioned amount reaches students through DBT into their Aadhaar-linked bank account. Only families with an annual income below ₹1 lakh qualify, keeping the benefit focused on the neediest island households.
🇮🏻 Central Government Schemes for Lakshadweep Residents
All 252 central government schemes are applicable to residents of Lakshadweep. The most popular schemes you can apply for right now:
PM Vishwakarma Yojana 2026 — ₹3 Lakh Loan + ₹15,000 Toolkit for 18 Trades | pmvishwakarma.gov.in
PM Vishwakarma Yojana is a central government scheme launched on 17 September 2023 that supports traditional artisans and craftspeople across 18 trades with free skill training (₹500/day stipend), a ₹15,000 toolkit e-voucher, and collateral-free loans up to ₹3 lakh at just 5% interest. Implemented by the Ministry of MSME with a ₹13,000 crore budget over 5 years (FY2023-24 to FY2027-28). Registration is done FREE at Common Service Centres (CSC) using Aadhaar biometric authentication.
PM Awas Yojana 2026 — Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana Gramin & Urban Subsidy
Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana (PMAY), launched in 2016, is India's largest housing programme providing financial assistance to build pucca houses for economically weaker sections. Under PMAY-Gramin (rural), eligible BPL families receive ₹1.20 lakh in plain areas and ₹1.30 lakh in hilly or north-eastern states paid directly through DBT. Under PMAY-Urban, first-time homebuyers in EWS (annual income up to ₹3 lakh) get 6.5% interest subsidy on home loans up to ₹6 lakh, reducing monthly EMI significantly. LIG (income ₹3–6 lakh) gets 6.5%, MIG-I (₹6–12 lakh) gets 4%, and MIG-II (₹12–18 lakh) gets 3% subsidy under the Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS). Beneficiaries are selected through the SECC database and state government surveys. Over 2.1 crore PMAY houses have been completed as of 2026.
PM Kisan Samman Nidhi Yojana 2026 — ₹6,000/Year to 11 Crore Farmers
PM-KISAN (Pradhan Mantri Kisan Samman Nidhi), launched in February 2019, provides ₹6,000 per year direct income support to all land-holding farmer families in India — transferred as three equal installments of ₹2,000 every four months directly to Aadhaar-linked bank accounts. As of 2026, over 11 crore farmers receive PM-KISAN, making it the world's largest direct cash transfer programme for farmers. All land-holding farming families are eligible, regardless of land size. Farmers must complete annual eKYC (OTP or biometric at CSC) to continue receiving installments. Income tax payees, government employees, and institutional landholders are excluded from PM-KISAN benefits.
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY Yojana 2026 — ₹5 Lakh Free Health Insurance
Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY (Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana), launched in September 2018, provides cashless hospitalisation coverage of ₹5 lakh per family per year at 30,000+ empanelled government and private hospitals. PM-JAY is the world's largest government-funded health insurance scheme, covering 55 crore+ people from the bottom 40% of India's population as per the SECC 2011 database. The scheme covers 1,949 medical procedures including surgeries, chemotherapy, kidney dialysis, neonatal care, and mental health treatment — at no cost to the beneficiary. Beneficiaries can avail treatment in any empanelled hospital across any state, completely cashless, using the Ayushman Card. Senior citizens aged 70+ years now get an additional ₹5 lakh top-up cover. Over 8 crore hospitalisation cases have been covered under PM-JAY as of 2026.
PM Ujjwala Yojana 2.0 — Free LPG Connection
Pradhan Mantri Ujjwala Yojana provides free LPG gas connections to women from below poverty line households to replace unhealthy cooking fuel usage.
PM Mudra Yojana 2026 — Collateral-Free Business Loan ₹50K to ₹20 Lakh
Pradhan Mantri Mudra Yojana, run through the Micro Units Development and Refinance Agency (MUDRA) under the Department of Financial Services, offers collateral-free business loans to non-corporate, non-farm micro and small enterprises. Loans are sanctioned under four categories: Shishu (up to ₹50,000), Kishore (₹50,001–₹5 lakh), Tarun (₹5 lakh–₹10 lakh), and Tarun Plus (₹10 lakh–₹20 lakh, launched 2024 for repeat Tarun borrowers). Funds are routed through banks, RRBs, NBFCs and microfinance institutions, and disbursed directly to the borrower's account, helping small traders, manufacturers and service providers expand. Over 52 crore loans worth ₹27 lakh crore have been sanctioned since 2015.
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana 2026 — 8.2% Interest Girl Child Savings Scheme
Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana is a government-backed savings scheme for girl children offering one of the highest fixed interest rates (8.2% p.a.) with full tax exemption under Section 80C. Minimum deposit just Rs.250/year; maximum Rs.1.5 lakh/year. Account matures 21 years from opening or at marriage after age 18.
Kisan Credit Card (KCC) Scheme 2025
Kisan Credit Card provides farmers with flexible and affordable short-term credit for cultivation expenses, post-harvest needs, and allied activities at interest rates as low as 4% per annum.
National Scholarship Portal (NSP) 2026 — Apply for Central Scholarships Online
The National Scholarship Portal is a one-stop platform for students to apply for all central government scholarship schemes including pre-matric, post-matric, and merit-cum-means scholarships for SC, ST, OBC, and minority students.
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana 2026 — 300 Units Free Electricity
PM Surya Ghar Muft Bijli Yojana provides 300 units of free electricity per month to households that install rooftop solar panels, with a central government subsidy of up to ₹78,000 on installation cost.
E-Shram Card 2026 — Free Registration for Unorganized Workers
E-Shram is a national database for unorganized sector workers providing a Universal Account Number (UAN) card, ₹2 lakh accident insurance, and priority access to 12 government welfare schemes.
Agniveer Scheme 2026 — Agnipath Defence Recruitment, Salary & Seva Nidhi
The Agniveer Scheme, launched under the Agnipath programme in 2022, recruits Indian youth aged 17.5 to 21 years for a 4-year short-service commission in the Indian Army, Navy, or Air Force. Agniveers receive a monthly salary starting at Rs.30,000 (rising to Rs.40,000 in the 4th year) plus risk and hardship allowances. On completion of 4 years, they receive a tax-free Seva Nidhi package of Rs.11.71 lakh (their contribution matched by the government with interest). Up to 25% of each batch is offered permanent enrolment in the regular armed forces based on merit and performance. Agniveers also receive priority in central paramilitary forces (CRPF, CISF, BSF) and several state police recruitment drives.
PM Jan Dhan Yojana 2026 — Zero Balance Bank Account + ₹2 Lakh Insurance
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana (PMJDY) is India's largest financial inclusion scheme with 56+ crore accounts. Any Indian citizen can open a zero-balance savings account with free RuPay debit card, ₹2 lakh accident insurance, ₹30,000 life insurance, and ₹10,000 overdraft facility.
MGNREGA / NREGA Job Card 2026 — 100 दिन काम की गारंटी, ₹267/दिन मजदूरी
Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Act (MGNREGA) guarantees 100 days of wage employment per year to every rural household in India. Workers receive ₹267/day (minimum wage varies by state) directly to their bank accounts. With over 15 crore active Job Card holders, MGNREGA is the world's largest employment guarantee programme.
PM Internship Scheme 2026 — ₹9,000/Month Stipend | 1 Crore Youth | pminternship.mca.gov.in
PM Internship Scheme is a flagship Government of India initiative launched in 2024 that places 1 crore young Indians (aged 21–24) in 12-month paid internships at top 500 companies across sectors. Interns receive ₹9,000/month stipend (₹6,000 from government + ₹3,000+ from company CSR), ₹6,000 one-time travel grant, and ₹2 lakh accident insurance under PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana.
PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana 2026 — ₹3,000/Month Pension for Farmers | maandhan.in
PM Kisan Maandhan Yojana (PM-KMY) is a voluntary and contributory pension scheme for small and marginal farmers launched in 2019. Farmers aged 18–40 contribute a small monthly amount (₹55–₹200 depending on entry age) and receive a guaranteed pension of ₹3,000/month after reaching 60 years of age. The Government of India contributes an equal matching amount to the Pension Fund.
PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 — 2026 Free Skill Training + ₹8,000 Certificate | PMKVY
PM Kaushal Vikas Yojana 4.0 (PMKVY 4.0) is the fourth phase of India's flagship skill training programme launched in 2022. It provides free short-term skill training in 220+ job roles across industry sectors to 1 crore youth. Trainees receive a National Skill Qualification Framework (NSQF)-linked certificate, ₹8,000 completion bonus, and placement support through top companies.
PM Swamitva Yojana 2026 — Village Property Card | Drone Survey | ₹5 Lakh Loan Collateral
PM Swamitva Yojana (Survey of Villages Abadi and Mapping with Improvised Technology in Village Areas) provides legal property rights to village household owners through drone-based survey. Villagers get a Property Card (Adhikar Patra) which can be used as collateral for bank loans up to ₹5 lakh. Launched in 2020, covering 6 lakh+ villages across India.
PM DAKSH Yojana 2026 — Free Skill Training for SC/ST/OBC/Minorities | ₹3,000 Stipend
PM DAKSH (Pradhan Mantri Dakshata Aur Kushalta Sampann Hitgrahi) Yojana provides free short-term and long-term skill training to Scheduled Castes, Scheduled Tribes, OBCs, EBCs, DNTs, and Minorities. Trainees receive ₹1,000–₹3,000 monthly stipend during training, placement support, and industry-recognized certification. Apply at pmdaksh.dosje.gov.in.
DAY-NRLM Ajeevika 2026 — Self Help Group Loan ₹3 Lakh | aajeevika.gov.in
Deendayal Antyodaya Yojana – National Rural Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NRLM) organises rural poor women into Self Help Groups (SHGs) and provides them access to bank credit, livelihood support, and social mobilisation. SHGs get revolving fund of ₹15,000, Community Investment Fund up to ₹2.5 lakh, and bank loans up to ₹3 lakh at subsidised rates.
Browse Schemes by Category
Explore central government schemes by category — all categories below are also applicable to Lakshadweep residents.
About Lakshadweep Government Schemes
Lakshadweep residents can avail of both state government schemes and all central government schemes launched by the Government of India. The state government regularly launches welfare schemes covering agriculture, education, health, housing, women empowerment, and employment.
Popular central schemes like PM Vishwakarma Yojana, PM Kisan Samman Nidhi, Ayushman Bharat, and PM Awas Yojana are fully applicable to residents of Lakshadweep. State-specific schemes like Lakshadweep Island Development Scholarship provide additional benefits exclusive to Lakshadweep residents.