Prime Minister Narendra Modi has announced a number benefits for children impacted by the current COVID pandemic. This decision to provide assistance to COVID-19 orphans has been taken after PM Modi chaired a high-level meeting on this issue.ย
Who all will be supported under โPM Cares for Children Schemeโ?
All the children in India who have:
- lost both their parents, or
- Surviving parent, orย
- Legal guardian/adoptive parents to COVID
What benefits would be provided under โPM Cares for Childrenโ Scheme?
The following benefits have been announced for the children affected by the current COVID crisis โย
1. Fixed Depositย
A corpus of Rs. 10 lakh would be created for each child when he/she reaches the age of 18. This corpus would be used for the following purposes:
- To provide a monthly financial support or stipend for 5 years beginning from the age of 18. The child can use this money to take care of his/her personal needs during the period of higher education.
- The child will get the corpus as a lumpsum for personal and professional use upon reaching the age of 23 years.ย
2. For Children Under 10ย
- Children under the age of 10 years who have lost their parent or guardian due to COVID will be given admission in the nearest Kendriya Vishyalaya (KV) or in a private school as a day scholar.
- If a child gets admission in a private school, the fees (as per the RTE norms) shall be given through PM CARES.
- Assistance for uniforms, text books, and note books shall also be provided through PM CARES
3. For Children from Ages 11 to 18ย
- Children who are between the ages of 11 and 18 will be provided admission in any of the central government residential schools like Sainik School, Navodaya Vidhyalaya, etc.
- If a child gets admission in a private school, the fees (as per the RTE norms) shall be given through PM CARES.
- Financial assistance for uniforms, text books, and note books shall also be provided through PM CARES
4. Financial Assistance for Higher Education
- COVID-affected children who want to pursue higher education will be assisted in obtaining education loan for pursuing professional courses/higher education within India, as per the current education loan norms. The interest on such loans obtained shall be covered by PM CARES.
- Alternatively, a scholarship that is equivalent to the tuition/course fees for UG/vocational courses (as per govt. norms) shall be provided under Central/State government schemes. Children who are not eligible for the existing scholarship schemes shall be provided equivalent scholarships by PM CARES.
5. Health Insuranceย
- All children shall be enrolled under the Ayushman Bharat Scheme (PM-JAY) as beneficiaries with a health insurance cover of Rs. 5 lakhs.
- The premium amount will be paid by PM CARES (till the children turn 18 years of age)
CLICK HERE TO READ THE OFFICIAL PM CARES FOR CHILDREN SCHEME NOTICEย
