Exam-Focused Notes on Per Drop More Crop (PDMC) Scheme
Overview
Scheme Name: Per Drop More Crop (PDMC).
Objective: Improve water use efficiency and agricultural productivity through drip and sprinkler irrigation.
Target Area: Coverage of over 11.5 million hectares by July 2026, which is approximately 8.11% of India's net sown area.
Constitutional and Policy Framework
Implementation: Under the Prime Minister’s National Agricultural Development Scheme (PM-RKVY) initiated in 2007-08, revised in October 2024 to promote sustainable agriculture.
Support Structure: Governed by a tri-level institutional framework involving National Management Council (NMC), State Level Approval Committee (SLAC), and District Level Implementation Committee (DLIC).
Financial Aspects
Funding: Central government has allocated ₹8,123.24 crores over the past three years; 2025-26 allocation is ₹8,957.72 crores including ₹3,226.36 crores specifically for PDMC.
Subsidy Structure: Financial assistance of 55% for small and marginal farmers and 45% for other farmers, with a maximum coverage of five hectares.
Economic Impact and Data
Beneficiaries: Approximately 12.30 lakh farmers, with about 20% being women.
Yield Improvement: Farmers have reported yield increases from 90 to 105 quintals per acre, and a reduction in farming costs from ₹30 lakh to ₹2.4 lakh.
Efficiency Gains: Studies indicate water savings of 20%-48%, energy savings of 10%-17%, and labor cost reductions of 30%-40%.
Technological Focus
Irrigation Types:
Drip Irrigation: Delivers water directly to plant roots, reducing waste and improving efficiency.
Types include:
On-line Drip: Suitable for unevenly spaced crops.
In-line Drip: Provides uniform watering.
Sprinkler Irrigation: Simulates rainfall; suitable for high-density crops.
Variants include portable, micro, mini, semi-permanent, and large-scale systems.
Environmental Considerations
Water Resource Management: Over 80% of available water resources are used for agricultural irrigation. PDMC aims to enhance water efficiency amidst declining groundwater levels.
Sustainable Practices: Encourages the integration of drip systems with solar-powered irrigation and water conservation practices.
Government Initiatives
Additional Provisions: States are allowed to initiate local water storage and conservation activities with removed funding limits for projects related to water conservation.
Support for New Technologies: The scheme promotes innovative irrigation techniques and scientific advancements in agriculture.
Impact Assessments
Independent Studies: Evaluations by NITI Aayog and IIM Ahmedabad confirm improvements in water efficiency, crop productivity, and farmer income, aligning with national priorities.
Job Creation: The scheme has also contributed to direct and indirect employment opportunities in the agricultural sector.
Future Directions
Strategic Focus: PDMC aims to enhance climate resilience, improve productivity, and develop value chains in agriculture, with a strong emphasis on sustainable practices.
Conclusion
The PDMC scheme represents a critical effort by the Indian government to transform agricultural practices through modern irrigation techniques, enhancing both productivity and sustainability in the face of growing water scarcity.
Key Terms & Concepts
Per Drop More Crop (PDMC)
Promotes efficient water use
115 lakh hectares
Area covered under PDMC
July 2026
Deadline for PDMC coverage
₹8,123.24 crore
Financial assistance by government
55% and 45%
Subsidy for small and other farmers
Prime Minister National Agriculture Development Scheme (PM-RKVY)
Implemented PDMC under this scheme
2025-26
Financial year for fund allocation
₹3,226.36 crore
Funds for PDMC in 2025-26
30-70%
Improvement in water use efficiency
20-48%
Water savings reported
10-17%
Energy savings reported
20-38%
Increase in crop yield
Direct Benefit Transfer
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Average education for youth aged 15-30: 10.8 years.
43.6% have completed Class 12; of these, 46.3% pursue higher education.
Critical Issues
Vocational Training: Only 5.1% of young people have received formal vocational or technical training, emphasizing a substantial gap in practical skills necessary for employment.
Labour Force Participation:
Overall rate: 48.3%; higher for males at 67.1% versus females at 29.1%.
Worker population ratio: 44%, with men at 61.4% and women at 26.2%.
National Policies and Schemes
National Education Policy (NEP) 2020: Focuses on quality education, learning outcomes, and skills, mainstreaming vocational education.
Samagra Shiksha and PM SHRI: Government initiatives to improve educational quality and skill acquisition in schools.
National Curriculum Framework for School Education (NCF-SE): Integrates skill education from middle to secondary levels, providing practical learning opportunities.
National Skills Qualifications Framework (NSQF): aligns secondary and senior secondary skill courses with job market needs.
Economic Indicators
Youth Unemployment Rates:
Rise from 1% among illiterates to 13.7% among those with undergraduate qualifications.
Unemployment with formal skilling: 3.1%, as opposed to 4.9% without skilling.
Earnings Comparison:
Average monthly earnings rise from ₹10,545 among illiterates to ₹26,013 for undergraduate and higher qualifications.
Diploma holders earn about 72% more than illiterate counterparts.
Skill Development Measures
Implementation of pre-vocational exposure, bagless days, and internship programs to enhance job readiness.
Skill courses aligned with NSQF for Classes 9-12; 138 job roles approved.
A flexible learning ecosystem needed to continually upgrade qualifications, essential for remaining competitive in a tech-driven job market.
International Perspectives
Education enhances capabilities and supports inclusion, critical for economic resilience as India aspires toward Viksit Bharat by 2047.
Conclusion
India’s significant youth population presents an opportunity to leverage its demographic dividend through investments in education and vocational training, align with economic demands, and create a skilled workforce prepared for future challenges. The government's multifaceted approach, through policies and schemes like the NEP 2020, aims to ensure quality education and skills for productive employment, reinforcing the alignment of educational outcomes with labor market needs.
Non-fossil fuel capacity increased from 80.3 GW to 300.5 GW over 12 years (an increase of 275%).
Solar energy capacity grew from 2.8 GW to 165 GW (approximately 58-fold increase).
Wind energy capacity increased from 21 GW to 58 GW (176% growth).
Recent Additions: Over 17 GW of renewable energy capacity added in the first four months of FY 2026-27, including 14.33 GW of solar and over 2 GW of wind energy.
Government Schemes:
PM Surya Ghar: Free Electricity Scheme:
Benefits over 5.35 million households.
Budget increased from ₹17,000 crore in 2025-26 to ₹22,000 crore in 2026-27.
Central financial assistance exceeding ₹28,000 crore since the scheme's inception in February 2024.
PM-KUSUM Scheme: Transitioning farmers from diesel to solar-powered irrigation, empowering them as energy producers.
Economic Indicators:
Investment Needs: To achieve the target of 500 GW of non-fossil fuel capacity by 2030, an investment of over ₹30 lakh crore is required in the next five years.
Role of Financial Institutions: Significant funding will come from Indian financial institutions, capital markets, insurance funds, and private capital.
Future Prospects:
Maharashtra aims to achieve 65 GW of renewable energy capacity by 2030.
Upcoming roadshows planned in key cities (Hyderabad, Ahmedabad, Lucknow, Bengaluru, Kolkata) to promote BRESE 2026.
International Collaborations:
The summit will host the 9th Assembly of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the 4th International Conference on Green Hydrogen.
Conclusion:
The India Renewable Energy Summit and Expo 2026 is a crucial event aimed at enhancing global cooperation in the renewable energy sector, promoting investment, and showcasing India's rapid growth in clean energy technologies. The government schemes like PM Surya Ghar and PM-KUSUM are pivotal in transitioning to sustainable energy sources while also addressing the needs of the agricultural sector.
Proposed Strategies for Resilience
Diversification of Crops and Regions: Move beyond traditional crops (rice and wheat) to include millets, pulses, and oilseeds to mitigate risks.
Integrated Procurement: Expand procurement systems to accommodate varying crops suited for local climatic conditions.
Climate-Resilient Agricultural Practices:
Introduction of climate-resilient seed varieties, micro-irrigation, precision farming, and digital pest management.
Financial tools like weather-indexed insurance to help farmers manage risks.
Infrastructure Upgrades:
Strengthening flood-resilient warehouses and expanding cold chain logistics for perishables.
Investments in robust transport systems are crucial for a diverse food basket.
Monitoring and Forewarning Systems
Utilize forecasts from the India Meteorological Department for procurement decisions and buffer-stock management.
Funding and Financial Innovations
Development of mechanisms like green bonds and adaptation finance to support climate-resilient agricultural systems.
Holistic Approach to Food Security
Shift the focus from "food security" to "sustainable food security," embedding climate risk management in planning and monitoring under the NFSA.
Collaborative Actions
Need for public-private partnerships in research and technology delivery, targeting climate-exposed regions and smallholder farmers.
Future Directions
Building a "climate buffer" that integrates crop diversity, infrastructure resilience, and effective water management as a countermeasure against climate unpredictability.
Vision for Sustainable Food Systems
Emphasizing climate adaptation and food security as intertwined priorities, with a focus on long-term sustainability and the nutritional needs of the population.
This framework is critical in sustaining India's agricultural achievements while adapting to the exigent realities posed by climate change.
Free Rupay Debit Card: Each account holder receives a Rupay card with accident insurance coverage of up to ₹2 lakh.
Overdraft Facility: Account holders can access an overdraft facility of up to ₹10,000 for emergencies.
Socio-Economic Improvements
Insurance Coverage: PMJDY accounts significantly contribute to life and accident insurance for informal sector workers through schemes like PM Jeevan Jyoti Bima Yojana and PM Suraksha Bima Yojana.
Average Deposit: The average deposit per account is ₹5,356, reflecting a 3.4 times increase over the last 12 years.
Growth in Deposits: Total deposits have increased approximately 12.8 times since inception.
Government Support and Initiatives
Financial Literacy Campaigns: Ongoing efforts to promote universal coverage of bank accounts and increase access to insurance and pension schemes.
Regulatory Support: The program benefits from robust regulatory frameworks and public-private partnerships, enhancing its outreach and effectiveness.
Economic Data
Growth in Account Numbers: The number of PMJDY accounts has increased 2.3 times since 2015.
Digital Infrastructure: Integration of biometric verification via Aadhaar has strengthened the program's framework.
Future Prospects
Continued Focus: PMJDY is set to enter its 13th year, emphasizing inclusive growth, digital innovation, and economic empowerment.
Commitment to No Citizen Left Behind: The initiative demonstrates the government's commitment to ensuring financial prosperity for all citizens.
Constitutional and Policy References
Financial Inclusion: Aligns with the Directive Principles of State Policy (DPSPs) under Article 41 of the Indian Constitution, which mandates the state to secure the right to work, education, and public assistance in certain cases.
Social Security: The program aims to improve the socio-economic conditions of marginalized groups, reflecting the constitutional mandate for social justice.
Conclusion
Pradhan Mantri Jan Dhan Yojana has transformed India's financial landscape by significantly increasing banking access, especially for women and rural populations, thereby enhancing financial security and inclusion. Its success is a model for global financial inclusion efforts, demonstrating effective governance and the importance of direct welfare delivery mechanisms.
Boosted his confidence and mental peace, enabling him to concentrate on his doctoral studies.
Academic Achievements:
Successfully qualified for the Junior Research Fellowship (JRF) after reattempting the NET exam.
Completed his Ph.D. with his dissertation rated as "highly commendable."
Published six research papers in SCI/SCIE-indexed international journals.
Current Position:
Post-Ph.D., he was selected as a Postdoctoral Fellow at the Indian Institute of Science (IISc), Bangalore, under the Institution of Eminence program with a monthly fellowship of ₹67,000.
Currently employed as a Scientist-C at the CSIR Fourth Paradigm Institute, Bangalore, with a monthly salary of ₹69,700 as per the 7th Pay Commission (Level-11).
Community Contribution:
Now able to support his family financially and contribute to his brothers' education.
Actively involved in assisting the education of children in his community.
Acknowledgments:
Expressed gratitude to the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment for providing the fellowship and the University Grants Commission (UGC) for its effective implementation.
Constitutional References:
The initiative aligns with the constitutional provisions for affirmative action, particularly Article 46, which promotes the educational and economic interests of Scheduled Castes and Scheduled Tribes.
Significance of the Case:
Highlights the role of timely financial assistance in overcoming socio-economic barriers for talented students from marginalized backgrounds.
Illustrates the importance of fellowship programs in fostering academic excellence and contributing to national development through research.
This summary encapsulates key facts, figures, and implications of Karnan A.'s journey, emphasizing the transformative impact of the NFSF on his academic and professional life.
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