PM CARES for Children Scholarship
by PM CARES Fund, Government of India
Rs. 20,000/year + Rs. 10L corpus
Comprehensive welfare support for children orphaned by COVID-19 with annual school scholarship of Rs. 20,000, monthly stipend, Rs. 10 lakh corpus, and health insurance.
Mode
Online
Fee
Free
Participation format
Individual
Duration
Until completion of Class 12 (school component) and corpus until age 23
Eligibility
Open to children who lost both parents, legal guardians, adoptive parents, or surviving parent to COVID-19 between 11 March 2020 and 5 May 2023. Children must have been under 18 years of age on the date of parental death. Indian nationals studying in school from Class 1 to 12.
- Age range
- Up to 23 years
- Eligibility region
- Available nationwide across India
- Prerequisites
- Indian nationality
- Parent or legal guardian death due to COVID-19 between 11 March 2020 and 5 May 2023
- Child must have been under 18 years of age on the date of parental death
- Death certificate confirming COVID-19 cause of death
See if your child qualifies.
Rewards and recognition
Award
Rs. 20,000 per year
School-going children in Class 1 to 12 receive Rs. 20,000 per year comprising Rs. 1,000 monthly allowance and Rs. 8,000 annual academic allowance. A Rs. 10 lakh corpus matures at age 23. Monthly stipend between ages 18 and 23 through Post Office Monthly Income Scheme.
Opens doors to
Children receive free education and boarding facilities at Kendriya Vidyalayas and other government schools.
Recognition
National welfare scheme recognition
What it covers
- Rs. 1,000 monthly allowance
- Rs. 8,000 annual academic allowance for school fees, books, uniform, shoes, equipment
- Rs. 10 lakh corpus matures at age 23
- Monthly stipend through Post Office Monthly Income Scheme ages 18 to 23
- Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana health insurance Rs. 5 lakh cover until age 23
- Free education and boarding at Kendriya Vidyalayas and government schools
How to apply
- 1Visit the PM CARES for Children portal at pmcaresforchildren.in
- 2Complete the registration with child and deceased parent details
- 3Upload death certificate confirming COVID-19 as cause of death
- 4Submit Aadhaar, school enrolment proof, and bank account details
- 5Application is verified by District Magistrate and Ministry of Women and Child Development
- 6Approved beneficiaries are enrolled and benefits are disbursed via DBT
Rules and guidelines
- Eligibility is restricted to COVID-19 related parental deaths between specified dates
- Child must have been under 18 years of age at the time of parental death
- District Magistrate verification is mandatory before benefit disbursement
- Benefits are non-transferable and tied to the identified child
Technology requirements
- Internet access
- Computer or mobile device for online application
About this opportunity
PM CARES for Children Scholarship is a flagship welfare initiative launched by the PM CARES Fund to support children who lost their parents or legal guardians to the COVID-19 pandemic. The scheme provides comprehensive financial, educational, and health support from childhood through age 23.
The scheme is available to children whose parents, legal guardians, or adoptive parents passed away due to COVID-19 between 11 March 2020 and 5 May 2023. Children must have been under 18 years of age on the date of parental death. Implementation is coordinated by the Ministry of Women and Child Development with state-level support.
For school-going children in Class 1 to 12, the scholarship provides Rs. 20,000 per child per annum comprising a monthly allowance of Rs. 1,000 plus an annual academic allowance of Rs. 8,000 to cover school fees, books, uniforms, shoes, and other educational equipment. Eligible children also receive free education and boarding at Kendriya Vidyalayas and other government schools.
A corpus of Rs. 10 lakh is built for each identified child and matures at age 23. Between ages 18 and 23, children receive a monthly stipend through the Post Office Monthly Income Scheme. All beneficiaries receive Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana health insurance with Rs. 5 lakh annual cover until age 23. Disbursement is via Direct Benefit Transfer.
Frequently asked questions
How does identification of new eligible children occur after the COVID-19 emergency phase?
District Magistrates conduct ongoing identification based on death certificates and family records. Guardians or relatives can also approach the District Magistrate office or apply through pmcaresforchildren.in for verification and enrolment.
How does the Rs. 10 lakh corpus mature and what happens at age 23?
A calculated amount is credited periodically so that the corpus reaches Rs. 10 lakh by age 18. Between ages 18 and 23 the corpus generates a monthly stipend through the Post Office Monthly Income Scheme. The full Rs. 10 lakh is paid out at age 23.
What healthcare coverage is available for PM CARES for Children beneficiaries?
All beneficiaries are enrolled under Ayushman Bharat Pradhan Mantri-Jan Arogya Yojana with Rs. 5 lakh annual health insurance cover until age 23. Coverage includes hospitalisation and treatment at empanelled hospitals.
How can guardians ensure continuous benefit disbursement during a child's school years?
Guardians should maintain school enrolment, ensure annual school certificate updates, and keep bank account details current. The Ministry of Women and Child Development conducts periodic verification through District Magistrates and school nodal officers.
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