Government schemes for children in India (under 18) — 2026

Indian child < 18 years. Most schemes universal (no income test). Anganwadi + Mid-Day Meal universal in govt schools. Top-up schemes (e.g., BBBP) for girl child.

0-6 years: free meal + nutrition + immunisation + pre-school. 14 lakh+ centres. Universal access.

• Where to apply: Anganwadi (local)
• Official portal: https://wcd.nic.in/icds

Free hot cooked meal class 1-8 in govt schools. 12 cr+ children. Universal. Auto on enrolment.

• Where to apply: Govt schools
• Official portal: https://pmposhan.education.gov.in

Free + compulsory education class 1-8. 25% reservation in private schools for EWS. Apply via state portal.

• Where to apply: State Education Dept
• Official portal: https://samagra.education.gov.in

Awareness + scholarship + financial literacy for girl child. Linked to SSY + PMMVY.

• Where to apply: District Collector
• Official portal: https://wcd.nic.in/bbbp-schemes

Tax-free savings for girl child < 10 years. 8.2% interest. Min Rs 250/yr, max Rs 1.5L/yr. PO/banks.

• Where to apply: India Post / banks
• Official portal: https://www.indiapost.gov.in

Integrated women + child empowerment programme. Sambal (safety) + Samarthya (capacity).

• Where to apply: WCD Ministry
• Official portal: https://wcd.nic.in/schemes/mission-shakti

24×7 free helpline for child in distress (abuse, lost, hunger, education). 600+ cities.

• Where to apply: Toll-free 1098
• Official portal: https://www.childlineindia.org

Support to orphans of COVID + similar. Rs 10L corpus + monthly stipend till 23. Free education + Ayushman.

• Where to apply: pmcaresforchildren.in
• Official portal: https://pmcaresforchildren.in

Care + protection for children in conflict with law / in need of care + protection. Foster care, adoption.

• Where to apply: CWC (Child Welfare Committee)
• Official portal: https://wcd.nic.in/jj

Statutory body — complaint redressal, policy review, awareness. Online complaint.

• Where to apply: NCPCR
• Official portal: https://ncpcr.gov.in

Child protection scheme — Specialized Adoption Agencies, Open Shelters, Foster Care, After-Care Hostels.

• Where to apply: WCD Ministry
• Official portal: https://wcd.nic.in/schemes/mission-vatsalya

Universal nutrition mission — 0-6 yrs + adolescent girls + pregnant + lactating women. Linked to ICDS.

• Where to apply: WCD Ministry
• Official portal: https://poshanabhiyaan.gov.in

Most schemes universal — Anganwadi + Mid-Day Meal auto on enrolment. SSY at PO/bank. Scholarships via NSP. POCSO/JJ Act via Childline 1098.

• Childline 1098 — 24×7 free for child in distress
• National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR) — pocsoebox.gov.in
• State Child Protection Society — varies

• Anganwadi food not delivered — file complaint to CDPO + NCPCR. Many districts have weekly nutrition tracker.
• RTE 25% admission denied by school — complaint to State Education Commissioner; SC has consistently directed compliance.
• Mid-Day Meal quality bad — complaint to Block Education Officer + media. State has Eat Right Mission.
• Childline 1098 not responsive — escalate to NCPCR + state SCPCR.

Most “delays” or “rejections” clear within 7-15 days of an RTI being filed. Use this 5-question template:

1. Status of my application no. _____ dated _____ as on date.
2. Name + designation of dealing officer assigned to my file.
3. Reasons for delay beyond the statutory timeline.
4. Copy of any noting / movement of my file in the past 30 days.
5. Likely date of disbursement / decision.

Auto-fill the PIO + your case: Open the RTI Drafter →

Yes — many states have Anganwadi-cum-Crèche for working women (Sarbahi-Bachhe scheme).

EWS + DG (Disadvantaged Group: SC/ST/OBC/PwD). Income < Rs 1L (varies).

Tenure 21 years from opening OR upon girl's marriage after 18, whichever earlier. Partial withdrawal allowed for higher education at 18+.

Childline coordinates with CWC + police. Confidential till case formally registered.

File RTI to school + Block Education Officer + State Education Commissioner. NCPCR online complaint also fast.

• 25 how-to-apply guides
• 15 rejection-recovery guides
• 30 documents-required checklists
• Full RTI Playbook — 100+ scenarios

• Each scheme's official portal (linked above).
• Ministry budget documents + scheme operational guidelines.
• Citizen feedback via AwaazRTI (composite, identifying details removed).

Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.