Right to Information Wiki

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

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 03 May 2026 08:28:37 +0000

2026/05/03 16:52	current
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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-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 }}
	+
	+	<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}}

Government schemes for Divyangjan (Persons with Disabilities) in India

anonymous@undisclosed.example.com (Anonymous) — Sun, 03 May 2026 08:28:37 +0000

2026/05/03 16:52	current
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	+	{{htmlmetatags>
	+	metatag-keywords=(divyangjan schemes, pwd schemes india, udid card, adip aids, disability scholarship, disability employment, divyangjan welfare)
	+	metatag-description=(Complete list of schemes for Divyangjan / %%PwD%%. UDID card, ADIP aids/appliances, scholarships, employment quota, accessibility, special allowance.)
	+	}}

	+	====== Government schemes for Divyangjan (Persons with Disabilities) in India ======
	+	{{ :social:auto:audience-divyangjan-pwd.png?direct&1200 }}
	+
	+	<WRAP info>
	+	Quick answer: India's 2.68 crore %%PwD%% (2011 census; ~10 crore est. by NSO 2024) have 30+ central schemes under %%RPWD%% Act 2016 (21 disability categories). UDID card is the gateway (free, online). ADIP (free aids + appliances), scholarships (Pre/Post-Matric, NOSGS), employment (4% govt reservation), financial inclusion (Rs 4L disability pension), accessibility (Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan), legal protection (%%RPWD%% Act).
	+	</WRAP>
	+
	+	===== Who is eligible =====
	+	Indian citizen with 40%+ disability certified by Medical Board (per %%RPWD%% Act 2016). 21 categories: vision/hearing/physical/intellectual/multiple/etc.
	+
	+	===== Top 12 schemes =====
	+
	+	==== 1. UDID (Unique Disability ID) ====
	+	Free national disability ID card. Online apply via state Disability Commissioner. Replaces multiple disability certs.
	+
	+	* Where to apply: UDID portal
	+	* Official portal: [[https://www.swavlambancard.gov.in\|https://www.swavlambancard.gov.in]]
	+
	+	==== 2. ADIP (Aids & Appliances) ====
	+	Free aids — wheelchair, prosthetics, hearing aid, white cane, Braille slates, etc. Camp-based + ALIMCO outlets.
	+
	+	* Where to apply: ALIMCO + State Empanelled
	+	* Official portal: [[https://alimco.in\|https://alimco.in]]
	+
	+	==== 3. Pre-Matric Scholarship (%%PwD%%) ====
	+	Class 1-10. Rs 500/month + book + uniform allowance. Income < Rs 2.5L. Apply via NSP.
	+
	+	* Where to apply: NSP scholarships.gov.in
	+	* Official portal: [[https://scholarships.gov.in\|https://scholarships.gov.in]]
	+
	+	==== 4. Post-Matric Scholarship (%%PwD%%) ====
	+	Class 11+ to %%PhD%%. Rs 1,200-1,600/month + tuition + maintenance. Income < Rs 2.5L. NSP.
	+
	+	* Where to apply: NSP
	+	* Official portal: [[https://scholarships.gov.in\|https://scholarships.gov.in]]
	+
	+	==== 5. National Overseas Scholarship for %%PwD%% ====
	+	Up to Rs 80L for masters/%%PhD%% abroad. ~25 selections/year. %%PhD%%: 4 years; Masters: 2 years.
	+
	+	* Where to apply: Min of Social Justice
	+	* Official portal: [[https://socialjustice.gov.in\|https://socialjustice.gov.in]]
	+
	+	==== 6. Disability Employment Reservation (4%) ====
	+	4% reservation in central govt jobs (1% each for VH, HH, OH, Multi). Many states: 5%. Apply via UPSC/SSC + state PSC.
	+
	+	* Where to apply: UPSC / state PSC
	+	* Official portal: [[https://upsc.gov.in\|https://upsc.gov.in]]
	+
	+	==== 7. Indira Gandhi National Disability Pension Scheme (IGNDPS) ====
	+	Rs 300/month (18-79) / Rs 500/month (80+). 80%+ disability + BPL. Apply at Block Office.
	+
	+	* Where to apply: NSAP
	+	* Official portal: [[https://nsap.nic.in\|https://nsap.nic.in]]
	+
	+	==== 8. Sugamya Bharat Abhiyan (Accessible India) ====
	+	Accessibility audit + retrofit of govt buildings + transport + ICT. Complaint via Sugamya app.
	+
	+	* Where to apply: Sugamya Bharat App
	+	* Official portal: [[https://sugamyabharat.gov.in\|https://sugamyabharat.gov.in]]
	+
	+	==== 9. National Action Plan for Skill Development of %%PwD%% ====
	+	Free skill training + 100% placement. NHFDC + State Disability Welfare.
	+
	+	* Where to apply: NHFDC
	+	* Official portal: [[https://nhfdc.nic.in\|https://nhfdc.nic.in]]
	+
	+	==== 10. National Disabled Finance Development Corp (NHFDC) ====
	+	Loans up to Rs 25L for self-employment + education. Subsidised interest.
	+
	+	* Where to apply: NHFDC
	+	* Official portal: [[https://nhfdc.nic.in\|https://nhfdc.nic.in]]
	+
	+	==== 11. Income Tax §80U ====
	+	Rs 75,000 deduction (40-79% disability) / Rs 1.25L (80%+). Self only. ITR auto-claim.
	+
	+	* Where to apply: Income Tax
	+	* Official portal: [[https://www.incometax.gov.in\|https://www.incometax.gov.in]]
	+
	+	==== 12. Railway Concession (%%PwD%%) ====
	+	50-75% on rail ticket. Locomotor disability + escort: 75%. ID Card via railway booking centre.
	+
	+	* Where to apply: IRCTC
	+	* Official portal: [[https://www.irctc.co.in\|https://www.irctc.co.in]]
	+
	+	===== How to apply (general process) =====
	+	UDID first (online + free). Then most schemes auto-link via UDID number. Aadhaar + bank account in own name + Disability Certificate from Medical Board.
	+
	+	===== Helplines =====
	+	* National Disability Helpline 14456 — multilingual
	+	* State Commissioner for Persons with Disabilities — varies
	+	* NHFDC: 0129-2287512
	+
	+	===== Common issues + how to handle =====
	+	* UDID rejected — disability % below 40 or category mismatch. Re-apply with correct medical certificate.
	+	* ADIP wait long — file RTI to ALIMCO regional centre + State Disability Welfare.
	+	* Job reservation not given — file complaint to Chief Commissioner for %%PwD%% + RTI for vacancy notification.
	+	* Pension < Rs 500 — state top-up varies (Rs 500-2,000); check state welfare scheme.
	+
	+	===== 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: [[:rti-for-scholarship-status\|Open the RTI Drafter →]]
	+
	+	===== Frequently asked questions =====
	+	==== Old disability cert — convert to UDID? ====
	+	Yes — UDID portal accepts old certs + auto-issues new card. Free.
	+
	+	==== UDID = SADAREM (Telangana)? ====
	+	No — SADAREM is TS state portal. UDID is national. Telangana has dual; both valid.
	+
	+	==== Disability % calculation — appeal possible? ====
	+	Yes — Re-evaluation by state Medical Board on application. RTI for evaluation criteria.
	+
	+	==== Job reservation — private sector covered? ====
	+	No — only govt + PSU. Private sector has DOPT directions but no reservation. Some states have private reservation.
	+
	+	==== Scholarship delayed > 90 days. Fix? ====
	+	File RTI to Institution + DNO. Use [[:rti-for-scholarship-status\|scholarship RTI generator]].
	+
	+	===== 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 divyangjan-pwd schemes welfare government-india}}