Top Housing Schemes in India 2026

Government housing schemes in India aim to make safe and affordable homes accessible to all. These initiatives support sustainable development and address housing needs across urban and rural areas. The housing schemes in India ensures affordable housing and strengthens social and economic stability. These schemes enable homeownership, improve living standards, and foster community growth. Through urban renewal and rural housing programs, these schemes reduce inequality and bridge the housing gap. 

Top Housing Schemes in India

The top housing schemes available in India and related details about the schemes are listed below: 

Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana 

To achieve the Government of India’s vision of ‘Housing for All’, the Pradhan Mantri Awas Yojana – Urban (PMAY-U) was implemented by the Ministry of Housing and Urban Affairs (MoHUA), which was launched on 25 June 2015. 

  1. Original Mission Period: Up to 31 March 2022. 
  1. Extended Period: Up to 31 December 2025 for completion of houses sanctioned till 31 March 2022, with no change in funding pattern or implementation methodology. 
  1. CLSS Validity: Up to 31 March 2022. 
  1. Target Beneficiaries: Urban slum dwellers and families belonging to EWS (Economically Weaker Section), LIG (Low Income Group), and MIG (Middle Income Group) categories. 

PMAY-U Verticals 

Loan amount 

Details 

Beneficiary-Led Construction/Enhancement (BLC) 

Rs.1.50 lakh per eligible EWS family 

Offered for individual house construction or enhancement

Affordable Housing in Partnership (AHP) 

Rs.1.50 lakh per eligible EWS house 

Applicable to projects with at least 35% EWS houses and a minimum of 250 houses per project.

In-situ Slum Redevelopment (ISSR)

Rs.1 lakh per house

Implemented using land as a resource with private sector participation.

Top Housing Schemes in India

Credit Linked Subsidy Scheme (CLSS):

Interest subsidy on housing loans: 

Category 

Loan amount 

Interest rate 

EWS or LIG 

Rs.6 lakh 

6.50%

MIG-I

Rs.9 lakh

4.00%

MIG-II

Rs.12 lakh

3.00%

Note: CLSS for MIG was effective from 01 January 2017 to 31 March 2021. 

Indira Awas Yojana (IAY)

This is a rural housing sub-scheme of RLEGP (Rural Landless Employment Guarantee Programme), launched by the Ministry of Rural Development. The scheme provides financial assistance for house construction to BPL (Below Poverty Level) households, especially SC (Schedule Caste) or STs (Schedule Tribes), freed bonded labourers, and other vulnerable groups. 

Objectives:  

  1. Support beneficiary-driven rural house construction with basic amenities. 
  1. Promote eco-friendly and affordable technologies. 
  1. Empower Panchayats for local-level implementation. 

Salient Features:  

  1. Houses are jointly owned by husband and wife (with exceptions). 
  1. Constructed only by beneficiaries without contractors. 
  1. Supported by technical guidance and built using eco-friendly standards with essential infrastructure. 

Target Beneficiaries:  

BPL households identified by Gram Sabha, including: 

  1. SC or STs 
  1. Women-headed families 
  1. Minorities 
  1. Persons with disabilities 
  1. Ex-servicemen 
  1. Widows 
  1. Freed bonded labourers, and other marginalised groups. 

Utilisation of Funds:  

  1. Up to 90% for house construction or upgradation (including kutcha houses). 
  1. Up to 5% for approved special projects. 

Implementation Mechanism:  

  1. Implemented at district level by Zila Parishad and at village level by Panchayats. 
  1. Alternate authorities designated where Panchayats are absent or incapable. 

Construction Timeline: Houses to be completed in two stages, each within 9 months from receipt of the respective instalments. 

Release of Funds:  

Financial assistance released in three instalments: 

  1. 25% at sanction 
  1. 60% at lintel level 
  1. 15% upon completion 

Instalment Conditions:  

Further releases depend on: 

  1. Minimum fund utilisation. 
  1. Verified completion of sanctioned houses within prescribed timelines. 

Payment to Beneficiaries: Funds transferred directly to beneficiaries’ bank or post office accounts through the e-FMS system and tracked on the AwaasSoft portal. 

The scheme is monitored regularly through monthly reviews, annual reports, and field inspections to ensure adherence to scheme guidelines. 

Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA)

Maharashtra Housing and Area Development Authority (MHADA) is a statutory housing authority, which is the nodal agency of the Government of Maharashtra. The body pioneers in offering affordable housing in the state. 

  1. Beneficiary Focus: Financially weaker and vulnerable groups. 
  1. Building Repairs and Reconstruction: Through the Mumbai Building Repairs and Reconstruction Board, MHADA, they repair and redevelop old and dilapidated cessed buildings in the city. They also rehabilitate the tenants, covering around 16,000 buildings. 
  1. Housing for Mill Workers: MHADA is the only housing authority in India to have provided housing to mill workers who became jobless and homeless during the mid-1980s. 
  1. Special Planning Authority Role: MHADA has served as the Special Planning Authority for major projects in Dharavi, Chandrapur, and Solapur.

Delhi Development Authority (DDA) Housing Scheme

The Delhi Development Authority (DDA) began its housing activities in 1967 and has played a key role in providing over one million houses in Delhi across different income groups. 

Housing Schemes:  

DDA has announced around 52 housing schemes, with allotments completed under all schemes. 

Allotment and Ownership:  

Flats are allotted on a freehold basis, unlike previous allotment techniques of leasehold with an option for conversion to freehold, except for EWS and hire-purchase categories where subsidised terms apply. 

DDA Flats – Process:  

The housing allotment process is fully online, and applicants required to visit DDA offices only for physical possession and execution of the conveyance deed. 

Role under PMAY (Urban):  

  1. DDA is the State Level Nodal Agency (SLNA) for PMAY-U. 
  1. It is responsible for In-situ Slum Rehabilitation of JJ dwellers in 376 JJ clusters on DDA and Central Government land. 
  1. Implements all four PMAY-U verticals. 

Slum Redevelopment Model: JJ clusters are redeveloped into pucca housing units under PPP mode, using land as a resource. 

Credit Linked Subsidy (Vertical-2):  

CLSS is implemented through: 

  1. HUDCO (Housing and Urban Development Corporation Limited) 
  1. National Housing Bank (NHB) 
  1. State Bank of India (SBI). 

Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation (AMRUT)

Providing basic urban services such as water supply, sewerage, transport, and amenities to improve quality of life. The scheme is beneficial especially for the poor and disadvantaged, which is a key national priority. 

People-Centric Approach:  

Emphasizes infrastructure creation that directly addresses household needs, such as universal access to taps and toilets, as highlighted in Presidential addresses in 2014 and 2015. 

Purpose of AMRUT:  

The Atal Mission for Rejuvenation and Urban Transformation aim to: 

  1. Ensure universal water supply and sewerage connections. 
  1. Enhance city livability through green and open spaces. 
  1. Promoting public and non-motorized transport to reduce pollution. 

Service Level Benchmarks (SLBs):  

The Ministry of Urban Development has prescribed SLBs to measure outcomes that matter to citizens, particularly women. 

Planning and Approval Process:  

  1. AMRUT replaces project-wise central approvals with annual approval of State Annual Action Plans. 
  1. It empowers the States to sanction projects and strengthen cooperative federalism. 

Institutional Strengthening:  

The Mission incorporates: 

  1. Capacity building and reforms to improve service delivery. 
  1. Enhance resource mobilization. 
  1. Ensure transparency and accountability. 
  1. Enable timely project completion. 

Rural Housing Fund (RHF)

The scheme was established under the National Housing Bank (NHB). It provides concessional refinance to primary lending institutions for housing loans extended to individual borrowers in rural areas. 

Eligibility: 

  1. Eligible HFCs (Housing Finance Companies) must have at least 51% of tangible assets deployed in individual housing loans. 
  1. A minimum NOF of Rs.10 crore. 
  1. Net NPAs (Non-Performing Asset) less than or equal to 3.5%. 
  1. A capital adequacy ratio of at least 12% as per NHB norms. 

Loan Coverage Limits:  

  1. Refinance is available for individual housing loans up to Rs.20 lakh. 
  1. For dwelling units costing not more than Rs.25 lakh. 

Property Location:  

As per the 2011 Census, the financed property must be located in a rural area with a population of 9,999 or less. 

Eligible Beneficiaries:  

Ultimate borrowers include: 

  1. Weaker section households as defined under RBI Priority Sector norms. 
  1. Women borrowers 
  1. Rural households with annual income up to Rs.3 lakh. 

Other details: 

Loan origination date 

Applicable for refinance if loan is disbursed on or after 1 April 2011. 

Refinance Interest Rate 

4.86% per annum (fixed for the entire tenure with no reset) 

Tenure 

Minimum: Three yearsMaximum: 10 years 

On-Lending Rate Cap 

Interest rate must not exceed 8.36% per annum (RHF rate plus 3.50%) 

Repayment terms 

Interest iscompounded monthly and payable quarterly.While principal repayment is on a quarterly basis. 

FAQs on Top Housing Schemes in India

  • What is the main purpose of housing schemes in India?

    Housing schemes aim to provide affordable homes, thereby reducing slum conditions and improving overall living standards.

  • What is the application process for housing schemes?

    Applications are generally submitted online through official scheme portals or by visiting the notified government facilitation centres.

  • Are separate housing schemes available for urban and rural areas?

    Yes, separate schemes are designed specifically for urban and rural housing needs, such as PMAY–Urban and PMAY–Gramin.

  • What factors determine eligibility under the housing schemes?

    Eligibility under the housing schemes in India typically depends on income limits, first-time homeownership status, and residency criteria.

  • What has been the overall impact of housing schemes in India?

    These schemes have expanded access to affordable housing, thereby strengthening the infrastructure and helping to reduce socio-economic inequalities. 

Disclaimer
Display of any trademarks, tradenames, logos and other subject matters of intellectual property belong to their respective intellectual property owners. Display of such IP along with the related product information does not imply BankBazaar's partnership with the owner of the Intellectual Property or issuer/manufacturer of such products.