- Why in news
- On 12 March 2026, the Jal Shakti Ministry told the Lok Sabha that PMKSY-AIBP projects use SCADA, and that 32 M-CADWM pilot clusters in 23 States/UTs are sanctioned.
- What it is
- PMKSY is the Centre's umbrella irrigation scheme, launched in 2015-16 to extend assured irrigation and improve on-farm water use efficiency. Its parts include AIBP for major and medium projects, and M-CADWM is a newer sub-scheme for piped, micro-irrigation based command area management. Water is a State subject, so the Centre gives technical help and partial funds.
- Centre-State role
- Irrigation is a State subject. The Centre gives only technical support and partial financial aid for identified projects.
- Clusters
- 32 clusters in 23 States/UTs are sanctioned under M-CADWM.
- Technology
- M-CADWM uses SCADA and IoT for water accounting and management, with pressurised piped networks and micro-irrigation.
- Implementing ministry
- PMKSY (Kisan Sampada) is run by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries as a Central Sector umbrella scheme.
- Allocation 2024-25
- The scheme's fund allocation for 2024-25 was ₹630 crore.
- Form of assistance
- Aid is given as grants-in-aid on a reimbursement basis to companies, firms, LLPs, cooperatives, FPOs/FPCs and SHGs.
- Demand-driven
- Applications are invited through Expression of Interest, and merit-based approval depends on availability of funds.
- No State-wise funds
- Funds are not allocated, sanctioned or released State-wise under any component.
Don’t confuse with PMKSY-AIBP vs M-CADWM: AIBP gives central assistance to States for identified irrigation projects. M-CADWM is a pilot sub-scheme for piped, micro-irrigation clusters.
Don’t confuse with Assured vs protected irrigation: M-CADWM models cover both areas of assured irrigation and areas of protected irrigation.
Don’t confuse with PMKSY (Krishi Sinchayee) vs PMKSY (Kisan Sampada): Krishi Sinchayee Yojana is the irrigation scheme (AIBP, Har Khet Ko Pani, watershed). Kisan Sampada Yojana is MoFPI's food processing and cold chain scheme.
Schemes: 52 Prelims questions since 2013, 10 in Prelims 2026 alone. They test features, the period and who funds it. In Mains, 33 news-triggered questions, mostly GS3.
Why it matters
- Piped networks, micro-irrigation and SCADA can raise water use efficiency and cut conveyance losses.
- Pilot models for different agro-climatic zones can shape a national plan for rural water management.
- Builds cold chain and processing capacity, which can cut post-harvest losses and raise farmers' value realisation.
Problems
- Irrigation is a State subject, so outcomes depend on State planning and delivery.
- Pilots are small (32 clusters) and need funds, skills and farmer water user associations to scale up.
- Demand-driven, reimbursement-based aid favours better-resourced applicants and can leave regions with weak infrastructure behind.
- Modest outlay (₹630 crore in 2024-25) against the scale of post-harvest needs.
Way forward
- Scale up proven cluster models through State co-financing and water user associations.
- Use SCADA water-accounting data to guide allocation and pricing.
- Target aspirational and underserved regions and strengthen FPO and cooperative access to credit and project preparation.
Put in your answer
Federal division: Water is a State subject; the Centre gives only technical and partial financial support.
PMKSY outlay 2024-25: ₹630 crore allocated to the scheme for 2024-25.
- 2021Mains GS3 · Q4How and to what extent micro-irrigation can solve India's water crisis
- 2024Mains GS3 · Q13Challenges facing Indian irrigation and government measures for efficient management
- 2020Mains GS3 · Q4Challenges, opportunities of food processing and raising farmers' income
- 2016Mains GS3 · Q7Define water-use efficiency and micro-irrigation's role in increasing it
- 2025Mains GS3 · Q14Scope of food processing industries and government employment measures
- 2019Mains GS3 · Q14Government policies to meet food processing sector challenges
- 2011Prelims Q35Purpose of promoting Mega Food Parks in India
- 2011Prelims Q58Which statements about micro-irrigation are correct: fertilizer loss, dryland, groundwater
UPSC’s own questions that come close to this issue, from our Prelims and Mains banks.
Prelims practice · Single answer
Ours, not from a UPSC paper
Consider the following statements about the Pradhan Mantri Krishi Sinchayee Yojana (PMKSY) and its sub-scheme M-CADWM:
- 1.PMKSY was launched in 2015-16.
- 2.Under PMKSY, the Centre plans, implements and manages irrigation projects in the States.
- 3.M-CADWM is a sub-scheme of PMKSY approved by the Cabinet in April 2025.
- 4.The approved outlay of M-CADWM is Rs 1600 crore, of which the State share is Rs 500 crore.
- 5.M-CADWM clusters have been sanctioned in 32 States/UTs.
How many of the above statements are correct?
True or false?
1 of 13
Statements the way Prelims prints them. Say first, then see the fact.
1.PMKSY was launched in 2015-16.
True. PMKSY was launched in 2015-16.
2.Under PMKSY the Centre plans, implements and manages irrigation projects in the States.
False. Water is a State subject. States plan and manage projects; the Centre gives technical support and partial funds.
3.M-CADWM is a sub-scheme of PMKSY approved by the Cabinet in April 2025.
True. The Cabinet approved it on 9 April 2025.
4.M-CADWM relies on open canal flow and avoids pressurised piped networks.
False. It aims at distribution through a pressurised piped network and micro-irrigation.
5.The approved outlay of M-CADWM is Rs 1600 crore, of which the State share is Rs 500 crore.
True. Total Rs 1600 crore; Centre Rs 1100 crore; State Rs 500 crore.
6.M-CADWM clusters have been sanctioned in 32 States/UTs.
False. 32 clusters are sanctioned in 23 States/UTs.
7.SCADA and IoT are envisaged for water accounting and management under M-CADWM.
True. The release says SCADA and IoT are envisaged for water accounting and water management.
8.Pradhan Mantri Kisan Sampada Yojana is a Central Sector umbrella scheme implemented by the Ministry of Food Processing Industries.
True. It is a Central Sector umbrella scheme of MoFPI.
9.Mega Food Parks continue as an active component of the scheme.
False. Mega Food Parks was discontinued from 1 April 2021.
10.Financial assistance under the scheme is given as grants-in-aid on a reimbursement basis.
True. Grants-in-aid are given on reimbursement basis.
11.Funds under the scheme are allocated to States in fixed shares each year.
False. Funds are not allocated, sanctioned or released State-wise.
12.Cooperatives, FPOs and Self Help Groups are among the entities eligible for assistance under the scheme.
True. Cooperatives, FPOs/FPCs and SHGs are eligible along with companies and firms.
13.Proposals under the scheme are selected through a fixed first-come allotment to every applicant, regardless of merit.
False. It is demand-driven; proposals are scrutinised and approved on merit subject to availability of funds.
Written by us from the release, not by UPSC; checked by a second model.
Worth revising until Prelims 2027: most news questions come within two years of the event.