Description

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Picture Courtesy: PIB

Context:

The Minister of State for Women and Child Development, in the Rajya Sabha, highlighted the significance of the Palna Scheme.

What is the Palna Scheme?

In 2022, the National Creche Scheme was reorganized and renamed as Palna Scheme under the sub scheme ‘Samarthya’ of Mission Shakti.

It is implemented by the Ministry of Women and Child Development to provide reliable and quality day-care services for children, especially those whose mothers are working.

It is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme

The Centre funds 60% and States/UTs with legislatures fund 40% for General States and UTs with Legislature.
For North-Eastern and Special Category States, the Centre contributes 90% and the States 10%.
The Central Government provides 100% funding for UTs without a legislature.

How Does the Palna Scheme Work?

Target Age Group => Children aged 6 months to 6 years.

Universal Access => Crèche facilities under Palna are provided to all mothers, irrespective of their employment status.

Types of Crèches => Palna operates two types of crèches: Standalone Crèches and Anganwadi-cum-Crèches (AWCCs).

Anganwadi centers integrate with crèches to enhance childcare access and increase women's workforce participation.

Comprehensive Care => The AWCCs under Palna offer:

Quality crèche facilities in a safe and secure environment.
Nutritional support for healthy growth.
Health and cognitive (brain) development activities.
Growth monitoring and immunization services.

Staffing & Honorarium => Each crèche includes a Crèche Worker and a Crèche Helper.

For Standalone Crèches, the worker receives Rs. 6,500 and the helper Rs. 3,250.
For AWCCs, the worker receives Rs. 5,500 and the helper Rs. 3,000. States/UTs can provide additional honorarium.

Operational Details => Crèches open 26 days a month for 7.5 hours per day, with flexible timings based on local needs.

Each crèche ideally accommodates a maximum of 25 children and is situated near children's residential areas or mothers' workplaces (preferably within 0.5–1 km).

What are the Achievements and Future Goals of the Palna Scheme?

During the 15th Finance Cycle (up to FY 2025-26), a total of 17,000 Anganwadi-cum-Crèches (AWCCs) have been planned for establishment under the Palna Scheme.
As of July 2025, the Ministry has already approved 14,599 AWCCs based on proposals received from various States/UTs.

The Palna Scheme contributes to Sustainable Development Goal 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth. By formalizing childcare responsibilities, which were seen as 'domestic work', the scheme directly supports the "decent work campaign"

When mothers are freed from unpaid childcare duties, they can participate more in the formal economy, leading to economic growth.

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Source: PIB

PRACTICE QUESTION

Q. Consider the following statements in the context of the 'Palna Scheme':

1. It is implemented under the Mission Shakti.

2. It targets children aged 0-3 years whose mothers are employed in the organized sector.

Which of the above statements is/are correct?

A) 1 only

B) 2 only

C) Both 1 and 2

D) Neither 1 nor 2

Answer: A

Explanation:

Statement 1 is correct: The Palna Scheme was introduced under the Samarthya Vertical of Umbrella Mission Shakti.

Statement 2 is incorrect: The scheme provides facilities for children aged 6 months to 6 years and is for all mothers, irrespective of their employment status, covering both organized and unorganized sectors.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The core aim is to provide day-care facilities and protection for children of working mothers, thereby supporting women's participation in the workforce.

It operates under the 'Samarthya Vertical' of the Umbrella Mission Shakti.

The scheme covers children aged 6 months to 6 years.