Children form the backbone of India’s future, and their well-being is a constitutional responsibility as well as a social priority. To protect their health, education, and rights, the Government of India has launched several welfare schemes.

For UPSC, these schemes are important as they connect with GS Paper 2 (Governance, Education, Health, Welfare Schemes) and GS Paper 1 (Society).

1. Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)

ICDS is one of the world’s largest community-based outreach programs focusing on children under six years. It integrates nutrition, health, and early education services.

• Launched: 1975

• Objective: Improve nutrition, health, and preschool education for children.

• Benefits: Supplementary nutrition, immunization, health check-ups, preschool learning.

• Eligibility: Children under 6 years, pregnant and lactating mothers.

• Implementing Agency: Ministry of Women and Child Development.

• UPSC Relevance: Linked with nutrition, child rights, and social development indicators.

2. Mid-Day Meal Scheme (MDMS)

This flagship scheme ensures food security for children in schools while promoting education and reducing dropout rates.

• Launched: 1995

• Objective: Provide free nutritious meals in schools.

• Benefits: Improves child nutrition, boosts attendance, enhances learning capacity.

• Eligibility: Children studying in Classes 1–8 in government and government-aided schools.

• Implementing Agency: Ministry of Education.

• UPSC Relevance: Connects to hunger elimination, education reforms, and SDG-2 (Zero Hunger).

3. Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission)

This mission tackles malnutrition among children and mothers through a life-cycle approach. It leverages technology and community participation for better nutrition outcomes.

• Launched: 2018

• Objective: Reduce stunting, malnutrition, anemia, and low birth weight.

• Benefits: Growth monitoring, behavioral change campaigns, nutrition counseling.

• Eligibility: Children under 6 years, adolescent girls, pregnant and lactating mothers.

• Implementing Agency: Ministry of Women and Child Development.

• UPSC Relevance: Important for questions on nutrition, health policy, and SDGs.

4. Right to Education (RTE) Act, 2009

The RTE Act is a fundamental legal guarantee that ensures free and compulsory education for children. It bridges the gap between constitutional rights and actual service delivery.

• Objective: Provide free education to children aged 6–14 years.

• Benefits: Prohibits child labor, ensures 25% reservation in private schools for EWS.

• Eligibility: All children aged 6–14 years, especially from marginalized groups.

• Implementing Agency: Ministry of Education with state governments.

• UPSC Relevance: Directly linked to GS-2, fundamental rights, and governance.

5. National Child Labour Project (NCLP)

This scheme rescues children from hazardous labor and provides them with education and rehabilitation. It also works alongside strict laws against child exploitation.

• Launched: 1988

• Objective: Rehabilitate child laborers through education and skill training.

• Benefits: Special schools, stipend, vocational training, health check-ups.

• Eligibility: Children under 14 years engaged in hazardous occupations.

• Implementing Agency: Ministry of Labour & Employment.

• UPSC Relevance: Links to child rights, labor laws, and social justice.

6. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)

This flagship program addresses gender discrimination and promotes girl child empowerment. It combines awareness campaigns with incentives for girl education.

• Launched: 2015

• Objective: Prevent female foeticide and promote girls’ education.

• Benefits: Awareness programs, scholarships, incentives for education.

• Eligibility: Girl children, especially in districts with poor child sex ratio.

• Implementing Agency: Joint initiative of Ministry of Women & Child Development, Ministry of Health, Ministry of Education.

• UPSC Relevance: Related to gender equality, women empowerment, and social justice.

7. Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme

This scheme supports working mothers by providing safe daycare facilities for their children. It ensures early childhood care and protection.

• Objective: Provide day-care services to children of working mothers.

• Benefits: Nutrition, early learning, health check-ups, safe environment.

• Eligibility: Children up to 6 years of working women from low-income groups.

• Implementing Agency: Ministry of Women & Child Development.

• UPSC Relevance: Associated with working women, child rights, and social policy.

8. National Scheme of Incentive to Girls for Secondary Education (NSIGSE)

This scheme encourages girls, especially from disadvantaged communities, to continue their secondary education. It prevents early dropouts and child marriage.

• Launched: 2008

• Objective: Promote education among girls.

• Benefits: Fixed deposit of ₹3,000 transferred to girl after turning 18.

• Eligibility: Unmarried girls aged below 16, SC/ST girls who pass Class 8.

• Implementing Agency: Ministry of Education.

• UPSC Relevance: Related to social empowerment and girl child welfare.

9. Child Protection Services (CPS) Scheme

The scheme creates a safe environment for vulnerable children, including orphans, street children, and those in conflict with law.

• Objective: Provide care, shelter, rehabilitation, foster care, and adoption.

• Benefits: Child Care Institutions, Childline 1098, sponsorship programs.

• Eligibility: Children in need of care, protection, or rehabilitation.

• Implementing Agency: Ministry of Women & Child Development.

• UPSC Relevance: Important for questions on child rights, juvenile justice, and social policy.

10. Kishore Vaigyanik Protsahan Yojana (KVPY)

KVPY is a scholarship program to encourage students to pursue research careers in science and technology. It strengthens India’s scientific future.

• Launched: 1999

• Objective: Promote research aptitude in science among children.

• Benefits: Fellowships, scholarships, mentorship by scientists.

• Eligibility: Students from Class 11 onwards with an interest in science research.

• Implementing Agency: Department of Science and Technology.

• UPSC Relevance: Linked to education, innovation, and science policies.

Summary Table of Child-Related Schemes

Conclusion

Government schemes for children in India ensure that every child has access to health, education, and protection. For UPSC, these schemes are significant because they address poverty, gender equality, SDGs, and governance challenges.

Practice MCQs on Child-Related Government Schemes

Q1. Which of the following services is NOT provided under ICDS?
A. Supplementary Nutrition
B. Health Check-up
C. Vocational Training for Adolescents
D. Mid-Day Meals in Schools

Answer: D
Explanation: Mid-Day Meals are covered under MDMS, not ICDS. ICDS provides nutrition, health services, and preschool education at Anganwadis.

Q2. The Mid-Day Meal Scheme was launched in which year?
A. 1975
B. 1995
C. 2005
D. 2010

Answer: B
Explanation: The scheme was launched in 1995 to improve nutritional levels and encourage school attendance.

Q3. Under the Right to Education Act, 25% of seats in private schools are reserved for:
A. Economically Weaker Sections (EWS)
B. Children of Government Employees
C. Scheduled Castes only
D. None of the above

Answer: A
Explanation: The RTE Act mandates 25% reservation in private schools for EWS and disadvantaged groups.

Q4. The National Child Labour Project (NCLP) provides:
A. Scholarship for science research
B. Stipend and education to rescued child labourers
C. Mid-day meals to school children
D. Free health insurance for children

Answer: B
Explanation: NCLP rehabilitates rescued child labourers by providing non-formal education, vocational training, healthcare, and stipend.

Q5. Which scheme is specifically designed to promote the survival and education of the girl child?
A. National Nutrition Mission
B. Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
C. National Child Labour Project
D. Rajiv Gandhi Creche Scheme

Answer: B
Explanation: Beti Bachao Beti Padhao focuses on saving the girl child and promoting her education and empowerment.

FAQs on Government Schemes Related to Children in India

Q1. What is the objective of the Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS) Scheme?
The main objective of ICDS is to improve nutrition, healthcare, and preschool education for children under 6 years.

Q2. Which government scheme provides free nutritious meals to school children?
The Mid-Day Meal Scheme provides free cooked meals to students in government and aided schools.

Q3. What is the age group covered under the Right to Education Act (RTE)?
The RTE Act ensures free and compulsory education for children aged 6 to 14 years.

Q4. Which scheme focuses on reducing malnutrition in children and mothers?
The Poshan Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) addresses malnutrition, stunting, and anemia.

Q5. What is the main focus of Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP)?
It promotes the survival, protection, and education of the girl child.