Executive Summary:
The Ministry of Women and Child Development addresses concerns regarding the closure of creches under the Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme (RGNCS) due to funding issues. The RGNCS was discontinued on December 31, 2016, and replaced by the National Creche Scheme (NCS). Currently, childcare services are provided through the Palna scheme under Mission Shakti and Anganwadi cum Crèches (AWCCs), with 14,599 AWCCs approved as of July 23, 2025, and 2,448 operational across 23 States and UTs.
Key Points / Main Content:
Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme (RGNCS):
Launched January 1, 2006, by merging the National Crèche Fund.
Implemented through the Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB), Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW), and Bhartiya Adim Jati Sevak Sangh (BAJSS).
Fund sharing pattern: Centre and Implementing Agency at 90:10.
Discontinued December 31, 2016, due to inadequate monitoring and supervision.
National Creche Scheme (NCS):
Operated from January 1, 2017, to March 31, 2022.
Centrally Sponsored Scheme with States and UTs shares for better local monitoring.
Standalone Crèches operated through NGOs.
Palna Scheme:
Introduced under Samarthya vertical of Mission Shakti on April 1, 2022.
Provides quality crèche facilities for children aged 6 months to 6 years.
Centrally Sponsored Scheme with a funding ratio of 60:40 (Centre: State) for States and UTs with legislature, and 90:10 for North East Special Category States.
100% funding by the central government for UTs without legislature.
Anganwadi cum Crèches (AWCCs):
Services of childcare extended through AWCCs.
As of July 23, 2025, 14,599 AWCCs approved based on proposals from States and UTs.
2,448 AWCCs are operational in 23 States and UTs.
Impact Analysis:
State Governments and UT Administrations:
Impact: Share funding responsibilities for the Palna scheme (60:40 or 90:10 ratio) and AWCCs.
Action Required: Implement and monitor the Palna scheme and AWCCs, and submit proposals for AWCCs.
Implementing Agencies (NGOs):
Impact: Operate standalone Crèches under the NCS until March 31, 2022, and potentially transition to the Palna scheme.
Action Required: Adapt to the new Palna scheme guidelines and funding structure.
Central Social Welfare Board (CSWB), Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW), and Bhartiya Adim Jati Sevak Sangh (BAJSS):
Impact: Previously involved in RGNCS implementation, now potentially involved in Palna Scheme or AWCCs.
Action Required: Align operations with the new Palna scheme and AWCC guidelines.
Children (6 months - 6 years) of Working Mothers:
Impact: Access to quality crèche facilities through the Palna scheme and AWCCs.
Action Required: Utilize available crèche services for childcare needs.
Key Entities Referenced
Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme: A central sector scheme (RGNCS) for the Children of Working Mothers, launched on 1st January 2006, later discontinued on 31 December 2016.
Central Social Welfare Board: An implementing agency (CSWB) for the Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme.
Indian Council for Child Welfare: A voluntary organization (ICCW) that implemented the Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme in States and UTs.
Bhartiya Adim Jati Sevak Sangh: A voluntary organization (BAJSS) that implemented the Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme in States and UTs.
National Crche Scheme for Children of Working Mothers: A Centrally Sponsored Scheme (NCS) that provided Crche services from 01.01.2017 to 31.03.2022, replacing the Rajiv Gandhi National Creche Scheme.
Palna: A scheme under Samarthya vertical of umbrella Mission Shakti, introduced w.e.f. 01 April 2022, to provide quality crche facility.
Anganwadi cum Crches: Childcare services extended through Anganwadi cum Crches (AWCCs), with 14,599 AWCCs approved as of 23.07.2025.
Samarthya: Vertical of umbrella Mission Shakti under which Palna scheme was introduced
GOVERNMENT OF INDIA
MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
LOK SABHA
UNSTARRED QUESTION NO. 2195
TO BE ANSWERED ON 01.08.2025
NATIONAL CRECHE SCHEME
2195. MD. RAKIBUL HUSSAIN:
Will the Minister of WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT be pleased to state:
(a) whether the government is aware that several creches under the Rajiv Gandhi National Creche
Scheme (RGNCS) are closing down due to lack of funds;
(b) if so, the details of funds released under RGNCS along with its utilization during the FY
2018-19, 2019-20, 2020-21 and 2021-22;
(c) whether the extra funds disbursed to the State councils without any reference to the ground
situation regarding the number of creches functioning/children enrolled are to be reconsidered
and initiatives for the refund of additional funds to be taken by the Government;
(d) if so, the details thereof and if not, the reasons therefor; and
(e) the details and number of creches working under the scheme?
ANSWER
MINISTER OF STATE IN THE MINISTRY OF WOMEN AND CHILD DEVELOPMENT
(SHRIMATI SAVITRI THAKUR)
(a) to (e): Rajiv Gandhi National Crèche Scheme (RGNCS) for the Children of Working Mothers
was launched as a central sector scheme w.e.f. 1st January 2006 by merging the National Crèche
Fund with the Scheme of Assistance to Voluntary Organizations for crèches for Working/Ailing
Women’s Children. The Scheme was implemented through the Central Social Welfare Board
(CSWB) and two voluntary organizations, namely Indian Council for Child Welfare (ICCW) and
Bhartiya Adim Jati Sevak Sangh (BAJSS) in States and UTs. The fund sharing pattern of the scheme
between Centre and Implementing Agency was in a ratio of 90:10. State Governments and UT
Administrations were not the stakeholders in the scheme, so monitoring and supervision were
inadequate. Subsequently, RGNCS was discontinued w.e.f. 31 December 2016.
From 01.01.2017 to 31.03.2022, the Crèche services were provided by the Ministry of
Women and Child Development through the erstwhile ‘National Crèche Scheme for Children of
Working Mothers’ (NCS), a Centrally Sponsored Scheme, wherein Stand-alone Crèches were being
operated through NGOs as implementing agencies, with the added feature of States’ share and UTs’
share to ensure better local monitoring.The Ministry introduced Palna scheme under Samarthya vertical of umbrella Mission Shakti
w.e.f. 01 April 2022, to provide quality crèche facility in safe and secure environment for children
(from ages 6 months – 6 years). Palna is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme and is implemented with a
funding ratio of 60:40 between Centre and State Governments and UTs with legislature except North
East & Special Category States where ratio is 90:10. For UTs without legislature, 100% funding is
provided by the central government.
Anganwadi centres are the world's largest childcare institutions dedicated to providing
essential care and support to children ensuring delivery of care facilities to the last mile. In a first of
its kind approach, Ministry has extended the services of childcare through Anganwadi cum Crèches
(AWCCs).
As on 23.07.2025 a total of 14,599 AWCCs have been approved by the Ministry as per
proposals received from various States and UTs, out of them 2448 AWCCs have been made
operational by 23 States and UTs.
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