Various schemes implemented by the Ministry of Women & Child Development for nutrition, safety and welfare of women and children all over the country

**Executive Summary** This document details the various schemes implemented by the Ministry of Women & Child Development to ensure the nutrition, safety, and welfare of women and children across India. For FY 2026-27, a Gender Budget allocation of Rs. 5.01 lakh crore has been reported. Key initiatives are clubbed under three Umbrella Missions: Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0, Mission Shakti, and Mission Vatsalya. **Key Points / Main Content** * **Umbrella Missions:** Schemes have been reviewed and consolidated into three primary missions for effective implementation and monitoring: * **Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0:** Aims to improve nutrition and health indicators. It comprises three sub-verticals: * Nutrition Support for Children, Pregnant Women, Lactating Mothers, and Adolescent Girls. * Early Childhood Care and Education. * Anganwadi Infrastructure, including upgraded Saksham Anganwadis. * As of February 28, 2026, beneficiaries under this mission include over 7.67 crore children, 57.90 lakh pregnant women, 56.43 lakh lactating mothers, and 15.61 lakh adolescent girls. * **Mission Shakti:** Focuses on strengthening interventions for women's safety, security, and empowerment. It has two verticals: * **'Sambal':** For safety and security, including components like One Stop Centre (OSC), Women Helpline (WHL), Beti Bachao Beti Padhao (BBBP), and Nari Adalat. As of January 31, 2026, approximately 1.11 crore women received assistance through OSCs and Women Helpline. * **'Samarthya':** For empowerment, including components like Shakti Sadan, Sakhi Niwas, Padhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), Palna, and SANKALP: Hub for Empowerment of Women (SNKALP: HEW). Under PMVVY, Rs. 20,101.00 crore has been disbursed to about 4.27 crore beneficiaries. * **Mission Vatsalya:** Aims for the protection, care, and welfare of children in difficult circumstances. Its objectives include supporting children in difficult circumstances, developing context-based solutions for holistic development, encouraging innovative solutions, and fostering convergent action. As of the reporting period, 82,005 children are in institutional care, supported by 3,799 Child Care Institutes. * **Gender Budget Allocation FY 2026-27:** * An overall allocation of Rs. 5.01 lakh crore has been earmarked for the welfare of women and girls. * A total of 53 Ministries/Departments and 5 UTs have reported Gender Budget allocations. * Several ministries and departments reported significant portions of their total allocations towards the Gender Budget, including Ministry of Women & Child Development (81.73%), Department of Rural Development (69.92%), and Ministry of Development of North Eastern Region (48.60%). **Impact Analysis** * **Women and Girls:** * **Impact:** Enhanced nutrition, improved health indicators, greater safety and security, increased empowerment, and better care and protection in difficult circumstances. * **Action Required:** The schemes provide direct services and support, indicating beneficiaries will receive these benefits. * **Children:** * **Impact:** Improved nutrition, early childhood care and education, protection and care in difficult circumstances, and support for holistic development. * **Action Required:** Children will benefit from the services provided under Mission Saksham Anganwadi & Poshan 2.0 and Mission Vatsalya. * **Ministry of Women & Child Development:** * **Impact:** Responsible for the implementation and monitoring of these key missions and schemes, with a significant portion (81.73%) of its FY 2026-27 budget allocated to the Gender Budget. * **Action Required:** To effectively implement and monitor the three Umbrella Missions and ensure efficient delivery of services to the intended beneficiaries. * **Other Ministries/Departments (including Rural Development, Health, Education, etc.):** * **Impact:** Involved in reporting Gender Budget allocations and potentially contributing to the implementation of specific components of the missions, depending on their functional areas. * **Action Required:** To continue reporting Gender Budget allocations and collaborate with the Ministry of Women & Child Development where their mandates align with the objectives of the schemes.

Key Entities Referenced