PM-CARES for Children Scheme
Source : PIB
GS II : Issues relating to development and management of Social Sector/Services relating to Health, Education, Human Resources

Why in News ?

Steps taken to support children who have lost their parents due to Covid-19 was announced. 

Key Facts

• What is the aim ?
  • Children represent the future of the country and the country will do everything possible to support and protect the children so that they develop as strong citizens and have a bright future.
• All children who have lost both parents or surviving parent or legal guardian/adoptive parents due to Covid 19 will be supported under PM-CARES for Children Scheme.
• The measures being announced have only been possible due to the generous contributions to the PM CARES Fund which will support India’s fight against COVID-19.

What are the schemes under PM-CARES for Children Scheme ?

Fixed Deposit in the name of the child

• PM CARES will contribute through a specially designed scheme to create a corpus of Rs 10 lakh for each child when he or she reaches 18 years of age.
• Will be used to give a monthly financial support/ stipend from 18 years of age for the next five years.
  • To take care of his or her personal requirements during the period of higher education and
• On reaching the age of 23 years he or she will get the corpus amount as one lump-sum for personal and professional use.

School Education: For children under 10 years

• The child will be given admission in the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya or in a private school as a day scholar.
• If the child is admitted in a private school the fees as per the RTE norms will be given from the PM CARES.
• Also pay for expenditure on uniform, text books and notebooks.

School Education: for children between 11-18 years

• The child will be given admission in any Central Government residential school such as Sainik School, Navodaya Vidyalaya.
• In case the child is to be continued under the care of Guardian/ grandparents/ extended family, then he or she will be given admission in the nearest Kendriya Vidyalaya or in a private school as a day scholar.
• If the child is admitted in a private school, the fees as per the RTE norms will be given from the PM CARES.
• PM CARES will also pay for expenditure on uniform, text books and notebooks.

Support for Higher Education

• The child will be assisted in obtaining education loan for Professional courses / Higher Education in India as per the existing Education Loan norms.
• The interest on this loan will be paid by the PM CARES.
• For children who are not eligible under the existing scholarship schemes, PM CARES will provide an equivalent scholarship.

Health Insurance

• All children will be enrolled as a beneficiary under Ayushman Bharat Scheme (PM-JAY) with a health insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakhs.
• The premium amount for these children till the age of 18 years will be paid by PM CARES.

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