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—audience:children-below-18 [2026/07/03 02:43] (current) – created - external edit 127.0.0.1
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 +{{htmlmetatags>
 +metatag-keywords=(child schemes india, beti bachao, anganwadi, mid day meal, integrated child development services, juvenile justice, child welfare)
 +metatag-title=(Government Schemes for Children India 2026)&metatag-description=(Complete list of central schemes for children. ICDS / Anganwadi 0-6 yrs, Mid-Day Meal 1-8, Beti Bachao Beti Padhao, NCPCR helpline, education, nutrition.)
 +}}
  
 +====== Government schemes for children in India (under 18) — 2026 ======
 +
 +{{:social:auto:audience-children-below-18.png?direct&1200 |Government schemes for children in India (under 18) — 2026 — RTI Wiki}}
 +
 +<WRAP info>
 +**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).
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== 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|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|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|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|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|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|https://wcd.nic.in/schemes/mission-shakti]]
 +
 +==== 7. National Child Helpline (Childline 1098) ====
 +24x7 free helpline for child in distress (abuse, lost, hunger, education). 600+ cities.
 +
 +  * **Where to apply:** Toll-free 1098
 +  * **Official portal:** [[https://www.childlineindia.org|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|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|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|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|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|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** — 24x7 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:
 +
 +<code>
 +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.
 +</code>
 +
 +**Auto-fill the PIO + your case:** [[:citizen-rti-playbook|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 =====
 +
 +<WRAP center round tip 90%>
 +**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:** [[:audience:start|All audience hubs]]
 +  * **How to apply step-by-step:** [[:how-to-apply:start|25 application guides]]
 +  * **Track applications:** [[:check-status:start|25 status-check guides]]
 +  * **If stuck — RTI Drafter:** [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/rti-application-generator|File RTI in 5 minutes]]
 +  * **Talk to other citizens:** [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/awaaz-rti.html|AwaazRTI community]]
 +</WRAP>
 +
 +===== Related reading =====
 +  * [[:how-to-apply:start|25 how-to-apply guides]]
 +  * [[:rejection-recovery:start|15 rejection-recovery guides]]
 +  * [[:documents:start|30 documents-required checklists]]
 +  * [[:citizen-rti-playbook|Full RTI Playbook — 100+ scenarios]]
 +
 +===== Sources =====
 +  * Each scheme's official portal (linked above).
 +  * Ministry budget documents + scheme operational guidelines.
 +  * Citizen feedback via [[https://righttoinformation.wiki/tools/awaaz-rti.html|AwaazRTI]] (composite, identifying details removed).
 +
 +//Last reviewed: 25 April 2026.//
 +
 +{{tag>audience children-below-18 schemes welfare government-india}}