PM Cares for Children Scheme, Launch Date, Benefits, Objectives

The PM CARES for Children Scheme is a welfare initiative, launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on May 29, 2021, stands as a hope for children who lost their parents, legal guardians, or adoptive parents during the global pandemic COVID-19 pandemic. This initiative was adopted to ensure the care, protection, welfare, empowerment for orphaned children helping them to overcome hardships and lead independent, fulfilling lives.

PM Cares for Children Scheme Objectives

The PM CARES for Children Scheme aims to:

1. Provide care and protection to children affected by the pandemic.
2. Ensure their well-being through health insurance, emotional support, and rehabilitation.
3. Equip them with equal educational opportunities to secure their future.
4. Empower them for self-sufficient adulthood with financial assistance and skill development.

PM Cares for Children Benefits

The scheme offers a wide range of benefits to the fulfill the needs of orphaned children:

Financial Security

1. Each identified child receives a financial support of ₹10 lakh, which will mature when they turn 18.
2. From 18 to 23 years of age, they will receive a monthly stipend from that to support their living expenses.
3. Upon turning 23, the entire amount is given as a lump sum to help them establish their professional or personal lives.

Educational Assistance

1. Children under this scheme will get admission in Kendriya Vidyalayas, Kasturba Gandhi Balika Vidyalayas, or private schools to ensure continuity in education.
2. Scholarships of ₹20,000 per annum is provided to students from Classes 1 to 12 to help them cover educational expenses.
3. Providing support in Higher education includes educational loans for professional courses, with the PM CARES Fund bearing the interest.

Health Insurance

Under the scheme they are enrolled in the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (AB-PMJAY), ensuring a health insurance cover of ₹5 lakh per year until the child turns 18. This enables access to quality healthcare and financial security during medical emergencies.

PM Cares for Children Scholarships

1. Children can avail scholarships like the Swanath Scholarship Scheme by All India Council for Technical Education, which provides ₹50,000 annually for students pursuing technical courses.
2. Skill enhancement programs under Kaushal Augmentation and Restructuring Mission of AICTE (KARMA) initiative prepare children for professional success and economic independence.

PM Cares for Children Rehabilitation

1. Children staying with relatives receive a monthly support of ₹4,000 under the Mission Vatsalya Scheme to ensure proper care and living standards.
2. They are also provided access to psychosocial support and mentorship to address emotional and mental health needs.

PM Cares for Children Implementation

The Ministry of Women and Child Development is the agency responsible for implementing the PM Cares for Children Scheme, working in collaboration with various ministries, state governments, and district administrations. To ensure transparency, the scheme is managed through a dedicated online portal (www.pmcaresforchildren.in). The portal facilitates easy registration and tracking of beneficiaries, ensuring that no eligible child is left behind.

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