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.
Who all will be supported under ‘PM Cares for Children Scheme’?
All the children in India who have:
- lost both their parents, or
- Surviving parent, or
- Legal guardian/adoptive parents to COVID
What benefits would be provided under ‘PM Cares for Children’ Scheme?
The following benefits have been announced for the children affected by the current COVID crisis –
1. Fixed Deposit
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.
2. For Children Under 10
- 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 18
- 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 Insurance
- 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 NOTICE
