SMILE Scheme

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

Education, healthcare, shelter and livelihood opportunities are important for a secure and independent life. However, some people may not have easy access to these basic needs. To provide support in these areas, the Government of India introduced the SMILE Scheme (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise). It is a Central Sector umbrella scheme for transgender persons and persons engaged in the act of begging. The scheme covers support such as healthcare, education, counselling, skill development, shelter, livelihood and rehabilitation. Official SMILE Scheme details

For transgender persons, the scheme provides several types of support, including scholarships, healthcare, skill development and Garima Greh shelter homes. Eligible transgender students can receive a ₹13,500 annual scholarship, while eligible transgender persons can get healthcare coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year through Ayushman Bharat convergence. The National Portal for Transgender Persons provides the Transgender Certificate and Identity Card required for accessing applicable welfare measures under SMILE.

The other component, known as SMILE-B, focuses on the rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging. It is not a fixed cash-benefit scheme. Instead, identified persons can receive support such as shelter, food, healthcare, counselling, documentation, de-addiction, education, skill development and livelihood assistance. The revised guidelines cover four main areas: survey and identification, mobilisation, rescue and shelter homes, and comprehensive resettlement. SMILE-Beggary Revised Guidelines

The scheme is implemented by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment through the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment, along with State Governments, Union Territories, District Administrations, Urban Local Bodies, Municipal Corporations and other implementing organisations. The begging component was revised with effect from 10 June 2025. The application process also differs: transgender persons can use the National Portal for applicable services, while persons engaged in begging are generally identified and supported through surveys, outreach and the local rehabilitation system rather than through an individual online application.

Applicants or beneficiaries who need assistance can use the relevant official portals and contact channels provided by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment. The National Portal for Transgender Persons provides access to transgender-related services, while the SMILE-Beggary Portal is used for implementation and monitoring of the begging rehabilitation component.

Readers looking for related welfare support can also explore other schemes listed on GovtSchemes.in. For healthcare-related support, the Ayushman Bharat-Pradhan Mantri Jan Arogya Yojana (PM-JAY) may be useful to understand the broader health-insurance framework connected with the SMILE healthcare component. For wider social and economic empowerment support, readers can also explore the Pradhan Mantri Anusuchit Jaati Abhyuday Yojana (PM-AJAY), which covers livelihood, skill development and educational infrastructure for eligible Scheduled Caste communities.

How Does the SMILE Scheme Work?

The SMILE Scheme works through two separate rehabilitation components, with benefits based on the needs of each beneficiary group.

Scheme Benefits

The SMILE Scheme provides different types of support through its two sub-schemes. The benefits cover education, healthcare, shelter, skill development, livelihood and rehabilitation.

1. Benefits for Transgender Persons

• Eligible transgender students from Class IX onwards can receive a ₹13,500 annual scholarship for their education.
• Eligible transgender persons can receive health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per year through Ayushman Bharat TG Plus.
• Healthcare support can include general medical treatment as well as transgender-specific services, including hormone therapy and gender-affirmation surgery under applicable health packages.
• Transgender persons can access skill development and entrepreneurship training to improve employment and self-employment opportunities.
• Garima Greh shelter homes provide accommodation, food, healthcare, counselling, skill training and other rehabilitation support.
• Eligible transgender persons can obtain a Transgender Certificate and Identity Card through the National Portal for Transgender Persons to access applicable welfare services.
• Transgender Protection Cells are supported to help protect the rights of transgender persons and address discrimination and offences.

2. Benefits for Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging

• Persons engaged in begging are identified through surveys, outreach and mobilisation activities and connected with rehabilitation services.
• Beneficiaries can receive shelter, food, clothing, hygiene items, healthcare, counselling and de-addiction support during rehabilitation.
• Children identified during the rehabilitation process can be linked with education and appropriate child-welfare services.
• Persons undergoing rehabilitation can receive vocational and skill-development support to help them move towards employment or self-employment.
• Elderly persons, sick persons and persons with disabilities can be linked with suitable social security, healthcare and welfare schemes.
• The scheme supports livelihood and economic linkages to help beneficiaries move towards self-reliance and reintegration into society.

What is Garima Greh Under the SMILE Scheme?

Garima Greh refers to shelter and rehabilitation homes established for vulnerable transgender persons under the SMILE Scheme. These homes provide a safer living environment along with basic facilities and support aimed at helping residents move towards greater independence.

• Garima Greh is intended for transgender persons who are vulnerable, abandoned, marginalised or in need of shelter.
• Eligible residents are generally required to be 18 years or older and hold the prescribed Transgender Certificate.
• Residents receive accommodation, food and other basic living facilities.
• Medical care and counselling are provided according to the needs of residents.
• Residents can receive skill development and livelihood-oriented support to improve their employment opportunities.
• Garima Greh can also help residents access documents, bank accounts, legal assistance and other government welfare services through convergence.
• The prescribed guidelines allow eligible residents to stay for up to one year, subject to the applicable conditions and availability.

SMILE Scheme Healthcare Benefits

Healthcare is an important part of the transgender component of SMILE. Through convergence with Ayushman Bharat, eligible transgender persons can access health insurance support as well as transgender-specific medical services covered under the applicable programme.

• Eligible transgender persons can receive health coverage of up to ₹5 lakh per beneficiary per year under Ayushman Bharat TG.
• The healthcare support is linked with the Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY framework and participating hospitals.
• Coverage includes applicable general healthcare packages available under the programme.
• Transgender-specific healthcare support can include hormone therapy and gender-affirmation surgery, along with applicable post-operative care.
• Eligible beneficiaries can use the required transgender identity documentation to access the applicable healthcare service through the designated system.

Eligibility Requirements

Since the SMILE Scheme covers two different beneficiary groups, the eligibility requirements also differ. The conditions for transgender persons are separate from those for persons engaged in the act of begging. The conditions are mentioned below.

Eligibility of Transgender Persons

• The applicant must be a transgender person eligible under the applicable provisions of the scheme.
• For services requiring proof of transgender identity, the applicant must have a Transgender Certificate of Identity issued through the National Portal for Transgender Persons.
• For the scholarship, the applicant must be an Indian national and a regular, full-time student studying in Class IX or above at a government or recognised institution.
• The scholarship applicant should not be receiving another scholarship from the Central or State Government for the same purpose.
• Scholarship selection is based on merit according to the applicable scheme guidelines.
• For Garima Greh, the beneficiary should generally be a transgender person aged 18 years or above holding the required identity certificate and in need of shelter or rehabilitation support.
• Preference for Garima Greh may be given to transgender persons who are abandoned, marginalised or otherwise vulnerable, subject to the applicable guidelines.
• Healthcare, skill development and other support are available to eligible transgender persons according to the conditions of the respective component.

Eligibility of Persons Engaged in Begging

• The component covers Indian citizens engaged in begging in cities and other locations covered under the scheme.
• Beneficiaries are identified through surveys, outreach and mobilisation conducted by the District Administration, Urban Local Bodies, Municipal Corporations and authorised implementing agencies.
• Identified persons may be assessed and connected with suitable shelter, healthcare, counselling, skill development and livelihood support.
• Children identified during the rehabilitation process may be linked with education and child-welfare services.
• Elderly persons, persons with disabilities, sick persons and other vulnerable individuals may receive support according to their needs and the applicable welfare provisions.

Required Documents

Keep the following documents ready when applying for or accessing support under the SMILE Scheme.

Documents for Transgender Persons

• Transgender Certificate of Identity issued through the National Portal for Transgender Persons.
• Transgender Identity Card, wherever required for the particular service.
• Aadhaar card or another valid identity document, as applicable.
• Recent passport-size photograph.
• Address proof, wherever required.
• Prescribed affidavit, signature or thumb impression for the transgender certificate application.
• Previous academic marksheet or certificate for scholarship applications.
• Student and institution details required for scholarship verification.
• Bank account details for receiving scholarship assistance through DBT.
• Any additional document required for the specific SMILE benefit.

Documents for Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging

There is generally no separate online application or fixed document list for persons engaged in begging. Beneficiaries are identified and profiled by the implementing agencies during surveys, outreach and rehabilitation activities.

• Aadhaar or another identity document, wherever available.
• Ayushman card or health-related documents, wherever available.
• Bank account details, where required for connecting the beneficiary with financial and welfare services.
• Documents required for education or child-welfare services, where applicable.
• Any other document required to connect the beneficiary with rehabilitation, social security or livelihood services.

Steps to Apply

The application and rehabilitation process under SMILE is different for its two components. Follow the process applicable to the type of support required.

For Transgender Persons

1. Open the National Portal for Transgender Persons to access the available online services.
2. If you do not have a Transgender Certificate, register on the portal and select the service for applying for the certificate.
3. Enter the required personal details and upload the prescribed documents, such as identity proof, address proof, photograph, signature or thumb impression and affidavit.
4. Submit the application online for verification by the concerned District Magistrate.
5. After approval, download or access the Transgender Certificate and Identity Card through the portal.
6. For the scholarship, use the applicable scholarship service and provide your educational details, previous academic marksheet, institution details and other required information.
7. After verification and selection, the eligible scholarship amount is transferred to the student's bank account through DBT.
8. For healthcare support, eligible transgender persons can use the required documents at an empanelled PM-JAY hospital to access applicable Ayushman Bharat TG Plus services.
9. For skill development, follow the registration or enrolment process specified by the concerned training or implementing agency.
10. For Garima Greh, a transgender person requiring shelter can contact the nearest operational Garima Greh or the concerned State or local social welfare authority.

For Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging

1. There is generally no individual online application form for persons engaged in begging under the SMILE-B component.
2. The District Administration, Urban Local Body, Municipal Corporation or authorised implementing agency identifies persons engaged in begging through surveys and outreach activities.
3. The identified person is counselled and assessed according to their needs and willingness to enter the rehabilitation process.
4. Eligible beneficiaries can then be connected with shelter, food, healthcare, counselling, de-addiction, documentation and other rehabilitation services.
5. Children, elderly persons and persons with disabilities may be connected with appropriate education, social security, healthcare or welfare services.
6. Beneficiaries can receive skill development and livelihood support to help them move towards employment or self-employment.
7. The implementing agency follows up with beneficiaries and connects them with suitable welfare and livelihood services for resettlement.

For NGOs Implementing the Begging Rehabilitation Component

NGOs interested in implementing the begging rehabilitation component must follow the selection process announced by the concerned District Administration or Urban Local Body. The organisation must meet the prescribed eligibility conditions, including NITI Aayog NGO-DARPAN registration and the required experience in relevant rehabilitation work.

SMILE Scheme Latest Update 2026

The implementation of the SMILE Scheme has expanded over time, particularly under its begging rehabilitation component. Government reports have recorded different coverage figures at different stages, so the date of each figure is important when assessing the latest progress.

• According to the latest 2026 update cited by the Ministry, the begging rehabilitation component had expanded to 216 cities.
• More than 10,200 persons had been rehabilitated under the component according to the July 2026 update.
• The programme has been implemented in phases, with additional cities being added as the rehabilitation programme expands.
• The Government has set a longer-term target of expanding coverage to 295 cities and rehabilitating around 35,000 persons by 2030-31.
• The SMILE-Beggary Survey Mobile App was also introduced in April 2026 to support survey and identification activities and improve monitoring of the rehabilitation programme.

Because implementation figures change as new cities and beneficiaries are added, readers should check the latest update issued by the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment before relying on a particular coverage figure.

Relevant Links

• Department of Social Justice and Empowerment
• SMILE Scheme Official Page
• National Portal for Transgender Persons
• SMILE-Beggary Portal
• SMILE Scheme Guidelines
• SMILE Begging Revised Guidelines
• National Portal for Transgender Persons FAQs
• NISD Transgender FAQ
• e-Anudaan Portal
• SMILE Scheme Launch

Contact Information

For questions specifically related to the transgender and begging components of the SMILE Scheme, applicants and organisations can contact the concerned SMILE section of the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment.

Department of Social Justice and Empowerment
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
Government of India

• Phone: 011-26119368
• Email: [email protected]
• Office: Room No. 8208, Zone-2, 8th Floor, GPOA-3, Netaji Nagar, New Delhi

For assistance specifically related to the National Portal for Transgender Persons, the official helpdesk can also be contacted.

• Administrative Helpdesk: 14427
• Email: [email protected]
• Technical Support: 7923268279

The Department's current directory lists R K Soni as handling matters related to the Transgender and Beggary components of SMILE, with the SMILE section contact number 011-26119368 and email [email protected]. The National Portal's official FAQ confirms the 14427 administrative helpdesk and provides the technical support channel.