Table of Contents
Government schemes for children in India (under 18) — 2026
Quick answer: India's 41% population is under 18 (~50 cr). 30+ central schemes under WCD Ministry + Education + Health. 0-6 years: ICDS + Anganwadi (free meal + nutrition + immunisation); 6-14 years: Right to Education + Mid-Day Meal + Sarva Shiksha Abhiyan; 14-18: secondary education + skill + scholarships; Cross-cutting: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, POCSO Act protection, Juvenile Justice, NCPCR helpline 1098, PM-CARES for Children (orphans).
Who is eligible
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.
Top 12 schemes
1. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) / Anganwadi
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
2. Pradhan Mantri Poshan Shakti Nirman (PM-POSHAN — formerly Mid-Day Meal)
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
3. Right to Education (RTE Act 2009)
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
4. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)
Awareness + scholarship + financial literacy for girl child. Linked to SSY + PMMVY.
- Where to apply: District Collector
- Official portal: https://wcd.nic.in/bbbp-schemes
5. Sukanya Samriddhi Yojana (SSY)
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
6. Mission Shakti
Integrated women + child empowerment programme. Sambal (safety) + Samarthya (capacity).
- Where to apply: WCD Ministry
- Official portal: https://wcd.nic.in/schemes/mission-shakti
7. National Child Helpline (Childline 1098)
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
8. PM-CARES for Children
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
9. Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act 2015
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
10. National Commission for Protection of Child Rights (NCPCR)
Statutory body — complaint redressal, policy review, awareness. Online complaint.
- Where to apply: NCPCR
- Official portal: https://ncpcr.gov.in
11. Mission Vatsalya
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
12. POSHAN Abhiyan
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
How to apply (general process)
Most schemes universal — Anganwadi + Mid-Day Meal auto on enrolment. SSY at PO/bank. Scholarships via NSP. POCSO/JJ Act via Childline 1098.
Helplines
- 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
Common issues + how to handle
- 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.
If a scheme is delayed or rejected — file an RTI
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 →
Frequently asked questions
Anganwadi for working mothers — extended hours?
Yes — many states have Anganwadi-cum-Crèche for working women (Sarbahi-Bachhe scheme).
RTE 25% — only EWS or all weaker sections?
EWS + DG (Disadvantaged Group: SC/ST/OBC/PwD). Income < Rs 1L (varies).
SSY closed at age 21 or marriage?
Tenure 21 years from opening OR upon girl's marriage after 18, whichever earlier. Partial withdrawal allowed for higher education at 18+.
Childline 1098 — police involvement?
Childline coordinates with CWC + police. Confidential till case formally registered.
Scheme delay / school not implementing. Fix?
File RTI to school + Block Education Officer + State Education Commissioner. NCPCR online complaint also fast.
Summary + what to do next
Bottom line: 12 central + state schemes available. Aadhaar + bank account in own name + community/income certificate (if applicable) is the gateway. If a scheme is delayed beyond timeline, file an RTI.
- Browse all 10 audience hubs: All audience hubs
- How to apply step-by-step: 25 application guides
- Track applications: 25 status-check guides
- If stuck — RTI Drafter: File RTI in 5 minutes
- Talk to other citizens: AwaazRTI community
Related reading
Sources
- 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.