The Ministry of Women and Child Development is strengthening child care support for working mothers through the Palna Scheme, launched on April 1, 2022, under the Samarthya vertical of the Umbrella Mission Shakti. This initiative provides safe, accessible day-care and crèche facilities for children across all States and Union Territories.
As more women enter the workforce—driven by government efforts in education, skills development, and employment, there is a growing need for reliable childcare support. With the rise of nuclear families, especially in urban areas, traditional joint family caregiving structures are no longer a fallback option. Lack of quality day care is one of the major barriers preventing women from pursuing full-time work, especially in both organized and unorganized sectors.
What is Palna Scheme?
Palna aims to offer day-long crèche services for children aged 6 months to 6 years. These centres provide not only care but also nutrition, immunization, cognitive development, and health monitoring in a secure environment. The scheme is inclusive—open to all mothers, regardless of employment status.
A unique feature of the scheme is the integration of crèche facilities with existing Anganwadi centres, creating Anganwadi-cum-Crèches (AWCCs)—leveraging India’s extensive Anganwadi network to ensure last-mile delivery of childcare. This approach supports Sustainable Development Goal 8 by promoting decent work and enabling more women to take up paid employment by easing their unpaid caregiving burden.
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Targets & Progress
Under the 15th Finance Commission cycle (up to FY 2025–26), the government has planned to set up 17,000 AWCCs. State governments and UTs submit proposals and co-fund implementation. As of now, 14,599 centres have been approved based on proposals from various states and UTs.
The update was shared in Rajya Sabha by Minister of State for Women and Child Development, Smt. Savitri Thakur.
