PM CARES for Children Scheme: Registration, Benefits & Eligibility

PM CARES for Children Scheme is a Central Government welfare initiative launched on 29 May 2021 by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to support children who lost their parents or legal guardians due to COVID-19. The scheme provides long-term financial security through a Rs. 10 lakh corpus, educational assistance, Rs. 5 lakh annual health insurance under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, and continued support until the beneficiary reaches 23 years of age. Families can contact the District Magistrate’s office, District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), or Childline 1098 for assistance.

Introduction of PM CARES for Children Scheme: A Brief Insight

The COVID-19 pandemic left thousands of children across India without the people who cared for and supported them the most. For many children, the loss of a parent or guardian brought immediate concerns about education, healthcare, daily care, and financial security. To provide long-term support and protection to such children, the Government of India launched the PM CARES for Children Scheme on 29 May 2021.

The scheme is administered by the Ministry of Women and Child Development and implemented through District Magistrates, Child Welfare Committees, and child protection authorities across the country. Rather than offering a one-time benefit, the scheme creates a comprehensive support system covering financial assistance, education, healthcare, and long-term rehabilitation, helping affected children build a secure future.

One of the scheme’s key features is the creation of a financial corpus that grows to Rs. 10 lakh when the child turns 18 years of age. Between the ages of 18 and 23, beneficiaries receive a monthly stipend from the income generated by this corpus, and on attaining 23 years of age, the entire Rs. 10 lakh amount is released as a lump-sum payment.

Beyond financial support, the scheme also focuses on education and health security. School-going children from Classes 1 to 12 receive an annual educational assistance of Rs. 20,000. Children residing with relatives or extended family may receive support under Mission Vatsalya, while every identified beneficiary is covered under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY with health insurance coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh per year. Students pursuing higher education can also receive assistance through education loans, interest support, and scholarship opportunities such as the AICTE Swanath Scholarship Scheme.

The scheme is meant for children who lost both parents, a surviving parent, or a legal guardian due to COVID-19 between 11 March 2020 and 31 December 2021, and who were below 18 years of age at the time of the loss. Eligible children are identified and verified by local authorities, including the District Magistrate, District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), and Child Welfare Committee (CWC).

If a family believes that a child qualifies for the scheme, they should immediately contact the District Child Protection Unit, Child Welfare Committee, or the District Magistrate’s office. Assistance can also be sought through Childline 1098. These authorities guide families through the identification, verification, and registration process and ensure that eligible children receive all benefits available under the scheme.

Beneficiaries can also explore the Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) to understand the health insurance benefits available under this scheme. Students pursuing technical and professional education may additionally benefit from the AICTE Swanath Scholarship Scheme, which provides financial assistance of up to Rs. 50,000 per year to eligible orphan and COVID-affected students enrolled in AICTE-approved institutions.

Families, caregivers, and guardians looking for more welfare, education, child protection, and healthcare initiatives can explore other programmes available on our Central Government Welfare Schemes page.

Benefits Provided to Eligible Beneficiaries

PM CARES for Children is designed as a long-term support package that combines financial assistance, education support, healthcare coverage, and care arrangements for children who lost their parent(s) or legal guardian due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme continues supporting beneficiaries from childhood until early adulthood.

Financial Security Through a Rs. 10 Lakh Corpus

• A dedicated contribution is made on behalf of each eligible child so that a corpus of Rs. 10 lakh becomes available when the beneficiary attains the prescribed age
• From the age of 18 years to 23 years, the beneficiary receives a monthly stipend generated from the invested corpus
• On attaining 23 years of age, the beneficiary receives the full Rs. 10 lakh corpus as a lump-sum amount

Important: The monthly stipend is linked to the income generated from the invested corpus and may vary according to applicable Post Office investment rules and interest rates.

School Education Support

• Children studying in Classes 1 to 12 receive educational assistance of Rs. 20,000 per year
• The support includes a monthly scholarship component along with assistance for books, uniforms, stationery, and other educational expenses
• Children studying in government schools also continue to receive benefits available under Samagra Shiksha, including free textbooks and uniforms wherever applicable

Higher Education Assistance

• Support is provided for pursuing higher, professional, and technical education in India
• Beneficiaries can avail education loans for approved courses through recognised financial institutions
• Where no other interest-support mechanism is available, the interest component of the education loan is borne through the PM CARES Fund as per scheme provisions
• Eligible students can access scholarships available through the National Scholarship Portal (NSP) and various Central Government scholarship programmes
• Additional opportunities such as supernumerary seats in higher education institutions and AICTE support initiatives are also available for eligible beneficiaries
• Students enrolled in AICTE-approved institutions may avail benefits under the Swanath Scholarship Scheme, subject to applicable guidelines

Health Insurance Coverage

• Every identified beneficiary is covered under Ayushman Bharat – Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY)
• Health insurance coverage of up to Rs. 5 lakh per year is provided
• The insurance premium is paid entirely through the PM CARES Fund
• Coverage remains available up to 23 years of age
• Beneficiaries can avail cashless treatment at empanelled hospitals across India under PM-JAY rules

Care, Protection, and Rehabilitation Support

• Children are provided care and protection through family-based or institutional arrangements, depending on their individual circumstances
• Preference is given to placement with relatives or extended family members wherever suitable and safe
• Foster care, Child Care Institutions, and other child-protection mechanisms are utilised whenever required
• Efforts are made to keep siblings together and ensure continuity of care, education, and emotional support
• Children living in approved family-based care arrangements may also receive support available under Mission Vatsalya as per applicable norms

Note: The financial corpus, educational assistance, health insurance coverage, and child-care support are separate components of the scheme. A beneficiary may receive multiple benefits simultaneously, depending on age, educational status, and individual circumstances.

Eligibility Conditions Required to be Fulfilled

The Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India, has prescribed the following eligibility conditions under the PM CARES for Children Scheme:

• The child must have lost both parents due to COVID-19, OR
• The child must have lost the surviving parent due to COVID-19, OR
• The child must have lost a legal guardian, adoptive parents, or a single adoptive parent due to COVID-19
• The death must have occurred during the notified COVID-19 eligibility period, as specified under the scheme guidelines
• The child must have been below 18 years of age on the date of the parent’s, guardian’s, or adoptive parent’s death
• The case must be verified and approved by the competent authorities, including the District Magistrate and Child Welfare Committee, wherever applicable

Eligible Categories of Children

• Children orphaned due to the loss of both parents during the COVID-19 pandemic
• Children who lost their surviving parent and were left without parental care
• Children who lost their legal guardian and became eligible for institutional or family-based support
• Children under foster care, kinship care, or adoption arrangements, provided they satisfy the scheme conditions

Who Is Not Eligible

• Individuals who had already completed 18 years of age at the time of the parent’s or guardian’s death
• Cases where the death was not linked to COVID-19 as per the prescribed verification process
• Applicants who do not meet the eligibility conditions laid down under the scheme guidelines
• Persons seeking benefits without approval and verification by the competent district authorities

Support for Existing Beneficiaries

The PM CARES for Children Scheme continues to provide financial, educational, health, and social security benefits to children who were identified and approved under the scheme. Eligible beneficiaries receive support until the age limits specified in the scheme, including assistance extending up to 23 years of age under certain components.

Documents Required to be Attached

Since PM CARES for Children is a centrally administered welfare scheme for children who lost their parent(s) or legal guardian due to the COVID-19 pandemic, beneficiary identification and verification are carried out by the District Administration, Child Welfare Committee (CWC), and District Child Protection Unit (DCPU). During this process, the following documents may be required:

• Birth Certificate of the child
• Aadhaar Card of the child, or Aadhaar enrolment slip if Aadhaar has not yet been issued
• Death Certificate of the parent(s) or legal guardian
• Supporting medical or official records relating to the COVID-19-related death, wherever required
• Guardianship, foster care, or adoption documents, if applicable
• Family ID, Ration Card, or other family relationship proof
• Address proof of the child or current caregiver
• School admission records, mark sheets, or student identity documents
• Identity proof of the guardian, caregiver, foster family, or relative currently responsible for the child
• Records maintained by the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) or District Child Protection Unit (DCPU)
• Disability Certificate, where applicable
• Recent passport-size photographs of the child
• Active mobile number for communication and verification
• Bank or Post Office account details required for opening and managing the beneficiary’s dedicated account

How Beneficiaries Can Apply to Avail the Benefit of this Scheme

PM CARES for Children works differently from most government schemes. Children or families usually do not have to fill out a regular online application and wait for approval. Instead, the District Administration identifies eligible children, verifies their details, and connects them with all benefits under the scheme. Here’s the process in simple steps:

Step 1: If a child has lost both parents, a surviving parent, or a legal guardian due to COVID-19 and is below 18 years of age, the family, relative, caregiver, school, village authorities, or any concerned person should immediately inform the District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Child Welfare Committee (CWC), or the District Magistrate’s office.

Step 2: The concerned authorities collect basic information about the child, including details of the parent or guardian, death records, school information, and the child’s current living arrangements.

Step 3: The child’s case is registered on the official PM CARES for Children Portal by the authorised authorities for further processing and verification.

Step 4: The Child Welfare Committee (CWC) and District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) verify all documents and confirm whether the child satisfies the eligibility conditions of the scheme.

Step 5: After verification, the District Magistrate reviews the case and grants final approval for inclusion under the scheme.

Step 6: Once approved, a dedicated account is opened for the child, and the financial corpus under the scheme is structured in accordance with the official guidelines.

Step 7: The child is then linked with all eligible benefits, including educational support, health insurance under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY, financial assistance, and other welfare measures available under the scheme.

Step 8: The District Administration continues to monitor the child’s welfare, education, healthcare, and overall development to ensure that all benefits reach the beneficiary at the appropriate stages of life.

Step 9: After attaining 18 years of age, the beneficiary starts receiving the monthly financial support available under the scheme. Upon reaching 23 years of age, the final lump-sum financial benefit is released in accordance with the scheme provisions.

Important: If you believe a child may be eligible under PM CARES for Children, do not wait for a separate application form or private agent. Contact the nearest District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Child Welfare Committee (CWC), District Magistrate’s office, or call CHILDLINE 1098 immediately. The authorities will examine the case and guide the family through the entire process.

Important Links Available of the Scheme

• PM CARES for Children Scheme Official Portal and Beneficiary Dashboard
• PM CARES for Children Scheme Detailed Official Guidelines (PDF)
• PM CARES for Children Scheme Official Guidelines in Hindi (PDF)
• PM CARES for Children Scheme Official PIB Press Release
• Ministry of Women and Child Development Official Portal

Contact Details in Case of Help Needed

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD), Government of India
• Technical Support Email: pmcares-children.wcd@nic.in
• Childline (Child Emergency Helpline): 1098
• District Level: Contact the District Magistrate’s Office, District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), or the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) of your district for identification, registration, and verification support
• Grievance Escalation: Unresolved grievances are escalated to the State level after 15 days, and to the Ministry of Women and Child Development after 30 days, through the official portal

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q. What is PM CARES for Children Scheme?

Ans. PM CARES for Children is a Central Government welfare scheme launched on 29 May 2021 to support children who lost their parents or legal guardians due to COVID-19. The scheme provides financial assistance, education support, health insurance, and long-term care to eligible beneficiaries.

Q. Who can get benefits under this scheme?

Ans. Children who lost both parents, their surviving parent, or a legal guardian/adoptive parent due to COVID-19 between 11 March 2020 and 31 December 2021, and who were below 18 years of age at the time of the death, are eligible.

Q. Can a child whose parent died after 31 December 2021 apply?

Ans. No. The scheme is specifically meant for children affected by COVID-19-related deaths that occurred within the notified eligibility period. Deaths occurring after the prescribed cut-off date are not covered under this scheme.

Q. What is the Rs. 10 lakh benefit under the scheme?

Ans. The Government creates a financial corpus that grows to Rs. 10 lakh by the time the child turns 18. From 18 to 23 years of age, the beneficiary receives a monthly stipend from the interest earned on this amount, and the full corpus is released when the beneficiary turns 23.

Q. Will the child receive monthly financial support before turning 18?

Ans. The main corpus remains invested until adulthood. However, eligible children may receive education-related assistance and other support benefits through the scheme and linked welfare programmes.

Q. Is any scholarship provided for school education?

Ans. Yes. School-going beneficiaries studying in Classes 1 to 12 receive Rs. 20,000 per year to support educational expenses such as fees, books, uniforms, and other academic needs.

Q. What health insurance coverage is available?

Ans. Every beneficiary is covered under Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY with health insurance of up to Rs. 5 lakh per year. The premium is paid by the PM CARES Fund until the beneficiary reaches 23 years of age.

Q. Does the scheme help with higher education?

Ans. Yes. Beneficiaries can receive support for higher education through education loans, interest assistance where applicable, reserved supernumerary seats in selected institutions, and scholarships such as the AICTE Swanath Scholarship.

Q. What is Mission Vatsalya assistance?

Ans. If an eligible child is being cared for by relatives or extended family, support of Rs. 4,000 per month may be provided under Mission Vatsalya for the child’s upbringing and care. This benefit is separate from the Rs. 10 lakh corpus and education assistance.

Q. How is a child enrolled under the scheme?

Ans. The process usually begins through the District Magistrate, District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), Child Welfare Committee (CWC), Childline, or other authorised agencies. After verification, eligible children are registered on the official PM CARES for Children portal.

Q. Can families apply directly online?

Ans. Families can bring the child’s case to the notice of the District Magistrate, DCPU, or CWC. The final registration and approval process is carried out through the authorised authorities after verification.

Q. Where is the beneficiary’s money kept?

Ans. The corpus amount is maintained in a dedicated Post Office account opened in the child’s name. Appropriate safeguards remain in place until the beneficiary attains adulthood.

Q. Will a child be denied benefits if Aadhaar is not available?

Ans. No. Lack of Aadhaar alone should not prevent an eligible child from receiving benefits. Alternative verification and Aadhaar enrolment support can be provided through the competent authorities.

Q. How can a grievance or complaint be submitted?

Ans. Complaints can be raised through the official PM CARES for Children portal. If unresolved, the grievance is escalated to higher authorities as per the prescribed mechanism.

Q. Where can I get help regarding this scheme?

Ans. Contact the nearest District Magistrate’s office, District Child Protection Unit (DCPU), or Child Welfare Committee (CWC). You can also call Childline 1098 for immediate guidance and assistance.

Tabassum

Tabassum is a government schemes researcher and writer with 5 years of experience tracking Central and State welfare scheme programmes across India. She has covered 500+ schemes spanning agriculture, women welfare, education, and housing, helping lakhs of beneficiaries understand their entitlements in simple language.