What happened: SMILE reports identification, rescue and rehabilitation of children (23 October 2023–30 June 2026)
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment reports implementation of the Central Sector Scheme SMILE—Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging)—from 23 October 2023. SMILE operates in 216 major cities and towns across 33 States/UTs.
For children identified through surveys and rescue operations, SMILE reports rehabilitation actions that include family reunion where feasible, Anganwadi Centre and school support, and referral to child protection mechanisms for institutional care.
How SMILE handles children identified as engaged in begging
SMILE involves data collection on persons, including children, identified through surveys and rescue operations by implementing authorities. SMILE accords special attention to children identified as engaged in begging.
The Government’s statement describes the reported rehabilitation routes for children identified under SMILE as follows:
Related current affairs
- SMILE Scheme to strengthen rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging; target 35,000 rehabilitations by FY 2030-31
- Tamil Nadu fuel subsidy measures for fishermen (sales-tax exempt diesel and subsidised kerosene)
- Mission Saksham Anganwadi and Poshan 2.0: six services for children below 6, pregnant & lactating mothers, and adolescent girls via Anganwadi Centres
- Ministry of Women and Child Development reviews implementation of Mission Vatsalya under Juvenile Justice framework