Scholarship for PM CARES Children

Scheme Introduction: A Brief Overview

COVID-19 affected millions of lives, but its impact was particularly difficult for children who lost a parent or caregiver. For them, the loss was not only emotional but financial as well, which could directly affect their education and future. To help such children continue their studies without financial difficulties, to support their schooling, the Government of India provides the Scholarship for PM CARES Children. Under this Central Sector Scheme, eligible PM CARES beneficiaries studying from Class 1 to Class 12 receive ₹20,000 per year. The amount includes ₹1,000 per month as a monthly allowance and ₹8,000 as an annual academic allowance for expenses such as school fees, books, uniforms, shoes and other educational needs. The scholarship is paid directly to the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).

The scholarship is part of the broader PM CARES for Children Scheme, which was launched by the Government of India on 29 May 2021. The dedicated scholarship component was launched on 30 May 2022. It is implemented by the Department of Social Justice & Empowerment, Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment, while the Ministry of Women and Child Development oversees the broader PM CARES for Children Scheme.

This scholarship is not open to all school students. It is available to children who have been approved as beneficiaries under the PM CARES for Children Scheme. The child must have lost both parents, the surviving parent, legal guardian, adoptive parents or a single adoptive parent due to COVID-19 during the eligible period. The child must also have been below 18 years of age when the parent or guardian died and must be studying in Class 1 to Class 12. The beneficiary's details are verified by the concerned District Nodal Authority. The scheme does not restrict eligibility based on caste, religion, gender or location.

There is no separate application for this ₹20,000 scholarship through the National Scholarship Portal. The child's eligibility is linked to the registration and approval process under the PM CARES for Children Scheme. Once the beneficiary is approved, the scholarship is processed through the prescribed system and paid through DBT after the required Aadhaar authentication.

The scholarship supports education up to Class 12. After that, eligible PM CARES children may receive separate support for higher education, such as education-loan assistance, the AICTE Swanath Scholarship, supernumerary seats and other eligible Government education or skill-development programmes. These benefits are separate from the ₹20,000 school scholarship.

If you need help with registration, verification or beneficiary-related issues, you can contact the concerned District Magistrate, District Child Protection Unit (DCPU) or Child Welfare Committee (CWC). You can also refer to the PM CARES for Children official portal for scheme-related information and services.

Readers exploring other education-related support can also check the Swanath Scholarship Scheme, which provides financial assistance to eligible students pursuing technical education. For more Government scheme information, visit GovtSchemes.in.

Scheme Benefits

The Scholarship for PM CARES Children provides financial support to help eligible children continue their school education without facing financial difficulties. The main benefits are:

• Eligible children studying from Class 1 to Class 12 receive a scholarship of ₹20,000 per year.
• The scholarship includes a ₹1,000 monthly allowance, amounting to ₹12,000 per year.
• An additional ₹8,000 annual academic allowance is provided for school-related expenses.
• The academic allowance can help meet expenses such as school fees, books, uniforms, shoes and other educational equipment.
• The total scholarship amount of ₹20,000 is paid in a single instalment at the beginning of each academic year.
• The scholarship is transferred directly to the beneficiary's Aadhaar-linked bank account through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• The benefit is available to eligible PM CARES children studying in schools across all States and Union Territories.
• The scholarship can continue for eligible beneficiaries until they complete Class 12, subject to the applicable scheme conditions.
• A beneficiary may migrate once to another eligible Government scholarship scheme if that scheme provides greater benefits, as permitted under the scholarship guidelines.

These benefits are intended to reduce the financial burden of school education and help eligible PM CARES children continue their studies through Class 12.

Eligibility Requirements

The Scholarship for PM CARES Children is available only to children who are covered under the PM CARES for Children Scheme. The child must meet the following conditions to receive the scholarship:

• The child must be registered and approved as a beneficiary under the PM CARES for Children Scheme.
• The child must have lost both parents, the surviving parent, legal guardian, adoptive parents or a single adoptive parent due to COVID-19 during the eligible period from 11 March 2020 to 5 May 2023.
• The child must have been below 18 years of age on the date of the parent's or guardian's death.
• The child must be studying in Class 1 to Class 12.
• The child's details must be verified and approved by the concerned District Nodal Authority.
• The child must have a bank account through which the scholarship can be received by Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT).
• The beneficiary must complete the required Aadhaar authentication for receiving the scholarship through DBT.
• The scholarship does not have any restriction based on caste, religion, gender or location, provided all other eligibility conditions are met.

Required Documents

The scholarship is available to children who are first verified as beneficiaries under the PM CARES for Children Scheme. The following documents may be required during the registration and verification process:

• Child's birth certificate or other valid proof of age.
• Death certificate of the parent, parents, legal guardian or adoptive parent, as applicable.
• Documents or records required to establish that the death occurred due to COVID-19 during the eligible period.
• Child's Aadhaar card or Aadhaar details for authentication and DBT.
• Bank account details of the child for receiving the scholarship amount.
• School admission or enrolment details showing the child's current class.
• Documents establishing the child's relationship with the deceased parent or guardian, wherever required.
• Any other documents requested by the concerned District Child Protection Unit or District Nodal Authority during verification.

The exact documents can vary depending on the child's circumstances. Applicants or caregivers should follow the document requirements communicated by the concerned district authorities during the PM CARES for Children registration and verification process.

Steps to Apply

The Scholarship for PM CARES Children does not have a separate open application process like many other scholarships. The child must first be identified and approved as a beneficiary under the PM CARES for Children Scheme. Once the beneficiary details are verified, the scholarship is processed through the official system.

• Go to the PM CARES for Children official portal and provide the required details for registering the child under the PM CARES for Children Scheme.
• The child, caregiver or authorised agency can submit the details and supporting documents. If required, the child may also be produced before the Child Welfare Committee for the verification process.
• After registration, the concerned district authorities check the details and documents. The District Magistrate, acting as the District Nodal Authority, verifies and approves eligible beneficiaries.
• Once the child is approved as a PM CARES beneficiary and is studying in Class 1 to Class 12, the child becomes eligible for the Scholarship for PM CARES Children, subject to the scheme conditions.
• Ensure that the child has a bank account linked with Aadhaar so that the scholarship can be transferred directly through DBT.
• Complete the required Aadhaar authentication each year to continue receiving the scholarship through DBT.
• After the required verification and authentication are completed, the annual scholarship of ₹20,000 is transferred to the beneficiary's bank account in a single instalment at the beginning of the academic year.

It is important to remember that students do not need to submit a fresh application for this ₹20,000 scholarship through the National Scholarship Portal. The benefit is linked to the child's approved PM CARES for Children beneficiary status. If you need help with registration, verification or beneficiary status, the concerned District Magistrate, District Child Protection Unit or Child Welfare Committee can guide you through the process.

Scholarship for PM CARES Children vs PM CARES for Children Scheme

The Scholarship for PM CARES Children is a specific education benefit under the broader PM CARES for Children Scheme. The two are connected, but they are not the same. The scholarship provides financial assistance for school education, while the PM CARES for Children Scheme provides comprehensive support covering education, health, financial security and rehabilitation.

In simple terms, PM CARES for Children is the broader scheme, while the Scholarship for PM CARES Children is one specific education benefit available to eligible beneficiaries. The scholarship guidelines state that it applies only to children covered under PM CARES for Children whose applications have been verified and approved by the District Nodal Authorities.

Relevant Links

• Website of Department of Social Justice & Empowerment
• PM CARES for Children Official Portal
• Scholarship for PM CARES Children Scheme Guidelines
• PM CARES Children Scholarship Portal
• PM CARES for Children Application Status Portal
• PM CARES for Children FAQs
• PM CARES for Children Contact Portal

Contact Information

For assistance related to the PM CARES for Children Scheme, applicants and caregivers can contact the Ministry of Women and Child Development through the official PM CARES helpdesk. For beneficiary verification and district-level matters, they can also approach the concerned District Magistrate, District Child Protection Unit or Child Welfare Committee.

Ministry of Women and Child Development, Government of India

• Guidelines Queries Phone: 011-23381970
• Guidelines Queries Email: [email protected]
• Technical Queries Phone: 011-23388074
• Technical Queries Email: [email protected]

The official PM CARES for Children portal currently provides these contact details for guidelines and technical assistance.