Mission Vatsalya Scheme

Mission Vatsalya is a state government program launched in 2021 to provide financial assistance to children who have lost both parents or a single-earning parent due to COVID-19. The aim of the system is to financially support and ensure the well-being of these vulnerable children.

What is Mission Vatsalya?

The Mission Vatsalya program is a project sponsored by the Government of India to help children who have lost their parents due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme was announced in May 2021 during the second wave of the pandemic, when the number of cases and deaths in India reached an all-time high. The Mission Vatsalya program provides financial assistance, education and healthcare to children who have lost their parents to COVID-19. The aim of the system is to ensure that these children are not orphans and that they grow up in a safe and supportive environment.

Background of Mission Vatsalya Scheme

Previously, three programs were implemented under the Ministry of Women and Child Development, namely The Juvenile Justice Program for children in need of care and protection and children in conflict with the law; the Integrated program for street children; and the orphanage support program (Shishu Greh). 
In 2009-2010, all three schemes were merged into one centrally sponsored scheme known as Integrated Child Protection Scheme (ICPS). 
In 2017, the name of the program was changed to “child protection service”. From 2021-2022, the CPS program is now part of Vatsalya’s mandate.

Objective of Mission Vatsalya Scheme

1. The mission aims to prioritize the best interests of children by implementing programs and initiatives that ensure their rights to survival, development, protection, and participation. 
2. It seeks to improve fundamental services such as emergency outreach, noninstitutional care, counselling, and support services, and collaborate with allied systems for seamless service delivery to children at all levels.
3. The mission also strives to empower families and communities to recognize and prevent risks and vulnerabilities impacting children and promote private-sector partnerships to support children within the law. 
4. It aims to increase public awareness and educate the community about child rights and protective measures sponsored by the government.
5. To ensure effective implementation, the mission will track the development of objective parameters related to outputs and outcomes, and involve Panchayats and Municipal Local Bodies at the village, ward, and urban cluster levels in regular monitoring to create a strong social safety net for children.

Features of Mission Vatsalya Scheme

1. The Ministry of Women and Child Development has implemented the Mission Vatsalya scheme to provide support for the welfare and protection of children. The scheme includes a monthly grant of Rs. 4000/- per child for family-based non-institutional care, such as Sponsorship (kinship), Foster Care, or After Care.
2. The scheme also provides assistance for a 24×7 helpline service for children in partnership with States and Districts, as defined under the JJ Act, 2015. Cradle Baby Reception Centres in at least one Specialized Adoption Agency (SAA) are envisaged to be set up in each district to save abandoned children.
3. The mission emphasizes the need for states/UTs to focus on special needs children in Child Care Institutions (CCIs), who are physically/mentally disabled and unable to attend school.
4. Under the guidelines, Mission Vatsalya will assist State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARA), which will aid the Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA) in promoting adoption.
5. Separate children’s homes based on gender (including separate homes for transgender children) and age will be established for children requiring care and children with special needs.
6. To provide care for children who are homeless, missing, being trafficked, working, living on the streets, beggars, substance abusers, etc., the state government will be encouraged to establish open shelters.