PM CARES for Children Scheme: Half of Applications Rejected in Three Years

Only about 49% of applications under the PM CARES for Children Scheme, launched to support COVID-19 orphans, were approved over a three-year period. The scheme received 9,331 applications from 613 districts across India, with Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh reporting the highest numbers.

Only half of the applications received under the PM CARES for Children scheme for COVID orphans were approved in the three years of its launch, according to official data.

Launched at the peak of COVID-19 cases in India, the PM CARES for Children Scheme aims to support children who lost their parents, a legal guardian, adoptive parents, or a surviving parent to the pandemic between March 11, 2020 to May 5, 2023.

A total of 9,331 applications from 613 districts across 33 states and Union Territories (UTs) were received under the scheme, but only 4,532 applications from 558 districts in 32 states and UTs were approved while 4,781 applications were rejected.

Rajasthan, Maharashtra, and Uttar Pradesh reported the highest number of applications with 1,553, 1,511, and 1,007 applications, respectively. The approval rates in these states were notably lower, with 855 approved in Maharashtra, 210 in Rajasthan, and 467 in Uttar Pradesh.

The scheme aims to ensure comprehensive care and protection of these children by providing health insurance, educational empowerment, and financial support until the age of 23.