Central Ministries: Children

Central Legal Support

National Legal Services Authority (NALSA) →

Provides free legal services to children in need of care and protection, and those in conflict with law.

Key Schemes:

NALSA Focused Schemes (Children)

Includes legal aid schemes for marginalized groups such as victims of trafficking, acid attack survivors, senior citizens, and persons with disabilities.

✅ Benefits:

  • Free legal representation to children in conflict with law (CCL) or children in need of care and protection (CNCP).

📝 Eligibility Criteria:

  • All children (under 18 years of age).
  • No income limit applies.
View Official Link →
Ministry of Women & Child Development (Mission Vatsalya) →

Manages Mission Vatsalya, the scheme for child protection and welfare, and POSHAN Abhiyaan.

Key Schemes:

Integrated Child Development Services (ICDS)

Provides a package of six services, including supplementary nutrition and pre-school education (ages 3-6) via Anganwadi Centres for children (0-6) and mothers.

✅ Benefits:

  • Supplementary nutrition, immunization, health check-up, referral services, pre-school education.

📝 Eligibility Criteria:

  • Children (0-6 years), Pregnant Women, and Lactating Mothers.
View Official Link →

Child Protection Services (Mission Vatsalya)

Provides support for children in difficult circumstances, including institutional care (Child Care Institutes) and non-institutional care (foster care, adoption).

✅ Benefits:

  • Institutional care, specialized adoption support, foster care, sponsorship.
  • Establishment of Child Welfare Committees (CWCs) and Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs).

📝 Eligibility Criteria:

  • Children in need of care and protection (CNCP) or in conflict with law (CCL).
View Official Link →