THE PALANA SCHEME: Where Care Becomes a Right

Theme & Tags:
👶 Women & Child Development, Social Security, SDG 8
📘 Category: Constitution | GS Paper 2

📜 Opening Whisper

In the hush between cradle and calling, a mother finds her balance.

🏛️ Key Highlights

• Launch & Context: Initiated in 2022, the Palana Scheme is part of Mission Shakti, addressing the growing need for structured child care amidst the rise of nuclear families.
• Rooted Reform: A modernised version of the National Crèche Scheme, Palana operates under the Samarthya sub-scheme and aims to formalize caregiving responsibilities.
• Empowering Funding Model:
  • General States: 60:40 (Centre:State)
  • NE & Special Category: 90:10
  • UTs: 100% Central Funding
• Key Objective: Ensure high-quality crèche services for children aged 6 months to 6 years, aligned with the Maternity Benefit Act.
• Integrated Services:
  • Day-care, Early Stimulation
  • Pre-school Education
  • Health Monitoring
  • Supplementary Nutrition (via Mission Poshan 2.0)
• Crèche Models:
  • Standalone Crèches
  • Anganwadi-cum-Crèches (AWCCs)
• Working Norms:
  • 7.5 hrs/day, 26 days/month
  • Limit: 25 children per crèche
  • Located near mother’s residence or workplace
• Support to Workers:
  • Standalone Crèche Worker: ₹6,500
  • AWCC Worker: ₹5,500
• Progress & Plans:
  • 11,395 AWCCs approved (as of Mar 2025)
  • Goal: 17,000 new AWCCs by 2024–25

🔍 Concept Tablet Note

Tablet Title: Palana Scheme – A Cradle for Women’s Empowerment
Suggested Visual: A tree of life with cradles hanging from each branch, women walking to work in the background, and a subtle sun shaped like a balancing scale.
Closing Line on Tablet (in poetic font):
“And in each cradle swings a silent revolution.”

📚 GS Mains Mapping

• GS Paper 2
  • Welfare Schemes for Vulnerable Sections
  • Role of Women and Social Empowerment
  • Issues relating to Children and Development
  • Implementation of Laws like Maternity Benefit Act
  • Centre-State Financial Relations

✨ A Thought Spark — by IAS Monk

True development is not in skyscrapers rising but in the unseen hands that rock the cradle, empowered, supported, and dignified.

🌿 Closing Whisper

When a mother steps forward, holding hands with hope, the nation learns to walk.