Note4Students
From UPSC perspective, the following things are important :
Prelims level: Palna Scheme
Mains level: Read the attached story
Central Idea
- The Union Women and Child Development Ministry aims to establish 17,000 creches in Anganwadi centres across the country out of which 5,222 have been approved to date under the ‘Palna’ scheme.
What is Palna Scheme?
| Details | |
| Objective | To provide quality childcare facilities through Anganwadi-cum-Crèches, enabling women’s participation in the workforce |
| Integration | Part of the Samarthya sub-component of Mission Shakti, starting from April 2022
National Creche Scheme (NCS) was revised and subsumed as part of the ‘Palna’ scheme under Mission Shakti. |
| Focus | Establishing combined Anganwadi and crèche facilities for comprehensive childcare |
| Target Demographic | Primarily urban areas where family-based childcare support is less available |
| Standard Operating Procedure | SOP released to outline administrative framework, roles, responsibilities, and monitoring mechanisms |
About National Crèche Scheme (NCS)
| Details | |
| Launch | Rajiv Gandhi National Crèche Scheme (RGNCS) launched in 2006;
From 2017, implemented as the National Crèche Scheme (NCS). |
| Legal Provisions | MGNREGA;
Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act 2017. |
| Objective | To provide daycare facilities for children aged 6 months to 6 years of working mothers |
| Target Group | Children of working mothers, especially from economically weaker sections of society |
| Childcare Services | Daycare, supplementary nutrition, early childhood education, health check-ups |
| Operational Hours | Typically 7 to 8 hours a day, 26 days a month |
| Age Group | Children aged 6 months to 6 years |
| Administration | Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India |
| Execution | Through state governments, NGOs, and community-based organizations |
Try this PYQ from CSP 2019:
Which of the following statements is/are correct regarding the Maternity Benefit (Amendment) Act, 2017?
- Pregnant women are entitled for three months pre-delivery and three months post-delivery paid leave.
- Enterprises with creches must allow the mother minimum six creche visits daily.
- Women with more than two children get reduced entitlements.
Select the correct answer using the code given below.
(a) 1 and 2 only
(b) 2 only
(c) 3 only
(d) 1, 2 and 3
Post your answers here.
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A