Policy Update
Riya Rawat
Background
Mission Vatsalya, a centrally sponsored initiative by the Ministry of Women and Child Development, strives to provide comprehensive care and protection for children across India. Building on the foundations of the former Child Protection Services (CPS) Scheme, it aligns with India’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and upholds the principle of “Leave No Child Behind.” Its primary objective is to create a nurturing environment for all children, particularly those who are vulnerable or involved in the juvenile justice system, ensuring their safety, security, and holistic development.
The legal framework of Mission Vatsalya is anchored in two significant laws: the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, and the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences Act, 2012. These laws form the backbone of the scheme, which emphasizes institutional care alongside promoting family-based alternatives like foster care, adoption, and sponsorship. The mission also engages in child rights advocacy and awareness initiatives to bolster India’s juvenile justice system.
Key Objectives of Mission Vatsalya
At the heart of Mission Vatsalya lies the goal of safeguarding and empowering India’s children. The mission begins with a strong focus on ensuring that all governance and administrative decisions prioritize children’s well-being. This “child-first” approach ensures that policies and actions reflect the needs and rights of children at every step.
One of the core objectives is to protect children’s fundamental rights—ensuring their survival, development, protection, and participation in society. This is aligned with global standards, striving to provide every child access to essentials like food, education, and a secure environment where they can thrive.
In addition to protecting these rights, the mission strengthens emergency outreach services to ensure swift responses for children in distress. It also emphasizes creating robust institutional care systems that provide long-term support to vulnerable children, whether they need rehabilitation or protection. Additionally, by educating the public about child rights and vulnerabilities, Mission Vatsalya encourages community involvement in preventing exploitation and abuse.
Another vital objective is capacity building—empowering those responsible for child protection, such as duty bearers and service providers. Training these individuals ensures they are well-equipped to implement the scheme effectively, bringing professionalism and dedication to the forefront. Together, these objectives enable Mission Vatsalya to address the multifaceted challenges of child protection comprehensively.
The mission follows a cost-sharing model between the central government and states/UTs, with the central government covering 60% of the cost for most states. In contrast, North-Eastern and Himalayan states receive a 90% contribution, and Union Territories without legislatures receive 100% funding from the central government. This structure ensures both uniformity in implementation and flexibility to cater to local needs.
Functioning
Mission Vatsalya operates through a collaborative framework involving state governments, social organizations, and private sector partners. At the state level, the State Child Protection Society (SCPS) manages the scheme, while District Child Protection Units (DCPU) handle operations at the district level. This multi-tiered structure ensures effective service delivery and fosters collaboration among the various stakeholders involved in child welfare.
Mission Vatsalya’s functioning is grounded in several key components that collectively create a network of care for children in need. One of the cornerstones of the scheme is Child Care Institutions (CCIs), which provide safe spaces for children who have been separated from their families. These institutions offer more than just shelter—they provide education, healthcare, and emotional support, creating a structured environment for vulnerable children to recover and rehabilitate.
Another major aspect is non-institutional, community-based care. Programs such as foster care, adoption, and sponsorship focus on keeping children within family-like settings rather than institutionalizing them. This approach recognizes that children thrive best in nurturing, supportive environments, and helps reduce the trauma of separation from family life.
The scheme also includes emergency outreach services, like the well-known 1098 Childline, which provides immediate assistance to children facing emergencies—whether they are victims of abuse, abandonment, or exploitation. This helpline ensures that children in distress receive prompt care and are connected to the right support services, such as medical or legal aid.
Finally, training and capacity building are critical to the success of Mission Vatsalya. By training child protection workers at various levels, from state officials to community workers, the mission ensures that those responsible for children’s welfare have the knowledge and skills to handle complex issues. This ensures that care is delivered efficiently and with compassion.
These interconnected components—CCIs, family-based care, emergency services, and trained personnel—converge to form the backbone of Mission Vatsalya, creating a comprehensive system that not only responds to immediate needs but also supports long-term development and rehabilitation for children. Mutually, these efforts help protect, empower, and transform the lives of children across India.
Local involvement is crucial to the success of the mission. In Malerkotla, Punjab, for instance, the local administration identified underprivileged children eligible for financial aid, providing each child with ₹4,000 per month to support their educational and subsistence needs. This collaborative approach extends to other states like Rajasthan and Odisha, where local governments and NGOs work together to create child-centered environments.
Digital integration is also central to Mission Vatsalya’s strategy. The mission’s upcoming enhanced portal will unify platforms such as TrackChild, Khoya-Paya, and CARINGS, facilitating better coordination, data transparency, and service delivery. Additionally, the integration of the National Childline helpline (1098) with emergency services promises faster response times and improved collaboration across departments, ensuring that children in distress receive timely assistance.
Performance
Since its launch, Mission Vatsalya has significantly expanded child welfare services, reflected in the increasing budgetary allocations for the program. In FY 2024-25, the Union Budget allocated ₹1,472.17 crore to the mission, supporting improvements in both institutional and non-institutional care, such as adoption, foster care, and sponsorship programs.
The mission’s impact is evident in the nationwide reach of Childline 1098, which provides immediate assistance to children in distress. In 2024 alone, Childline responded to thousands of cases, offering support ranging from medical aid to emergency shelter for homeless children. This service plays a pivotal role as the first point of contact for children in need, acting as a bridge to further services. Collaborations with organizations like NIMHANS also address the mental health needs of children, broadening the scope of the mission’s impact.
The Ministry of Women and Child Development’s forthcoming digital platform aims to further improve child protection services nationwide. According to the Ministry Secretary Anil Malik, the platform will integrate existing services to streamline operations and enhance emergency response for children. The integration of the child helpline with national emergency services has already significantly reduced response times. Additionally, ongoing efforts to establish specialized care institutions for children with disabilities highlight the mission’s commitment to inclusivity. Odisha, for example, is piloting exclusive care institutions for children with disabilities, ensuring they receive tailored support.
Impact
Mission Vatsalya has notably enhanced child welfare in India by shifting the focus towards family-centered and community-driven care. This approach prioritizes keeping children within supportive family environments, reserving institutionalization as a last resort. It ensures that children grow and thrive in nurturing surroundings whenever possible.
By leveraging technology through a comprehensive digital platform, Mission Vatsalya aims to streamline service delivery, facilitating quicker decision-making and ensuring that children in crisis receive prompt assistance. This shift also underscores the government’s dedication to strengthening child welfare systems.
Collaborations with local organizations have been crucial in reaching vulnerable children, as these partnerships not only extend the mission’s reach but also enhance community engagement, helping to identify and address the specific needs of children in different regions. Not to mention, the central government’s takeover of the national child helpline underscores its commitment to maintaining a strong support network for children in distress.
Mental health training for government officers is another essential component of the mission. By equipping officers with the skills necessary to support children with disabilities or mental health challenges, the mission is enhancing the overall effectiveness of child welfare services.
Emerging Issues
Integration Challenges: While the mission’s new digital platform promises improved coordination and efficiency, merging diverse systems has encountered significant technical and logistical difficulties, particularly in regions with inadequate infrastructure. Successful integration will require comprehensive training and continuous support for local personnel, as well as robust technical assistance to ensure that all stakeholders can use the platform effectively.
Resource Limitations: Despite increased funding for Mission Vatsalya, some states still face staffing and infrastructure gaps. These limitations affect the quality of services and create disparities in care for vulnerable children. Addressing these resource challenges is crucial to ensuring the mission’s objectives are met consistently across all regions.
Childline 1098 Transition Concerns: The recent transfer of Childline operations under the Ministry of Home Affairs and its integration with the Emergency Response Support System (ERSS) has raised concerns among child rights advocates. While this transition aims to enhance service accessibility, it may alter the level of comfort children feel when seeking help. Historically, Childline’s partnership with NGOs has fostered trust and confidentiality, and preserving this approach is critical to maintaining the helpline’s effectiveness.
Compliance and Accountability Issues: Despite the robust framework of Mission Vatsalya, compliance with guidelines and accountability remain ongoing concerns. Instances of non-compliance can undermine the quality of care provided to vulnerable children. Regular monitoring and evaluation are essential to ensure that the mission’s objectives are being met. A strong accountability mechanism will be key to ensuring the effective delivery of services.
Suggested Solutions
- Strengthen capacity building for state and district-level protection units to ensure adequate staffing and resources.
- Optimize the digital platform for ease of use and ensure comprehensive training for personnel.
- Preserve partnerships with NGOs, particularly regarding Childline, to maintain the trust and comfort children feel when seeking help.
- Launch public awareness campaigns to educate communities on child rights and available services, increasing engagement and accountability among stakeholders.
Way Forward
To maximize the impact of Mission Vatsalya, a continued focus on collaborative partnerships, comprehensive training, and increased resource allocation is crucial. The government should seek regular feedback from beneficiaries and stakeholders to refine service delivery. Expanding outreach efforts will ensure that all vulnerable children receive the assistance they need.
Inter-ministerial and inter-sectoral collaboration will also be vital to implementing child-centered and gender-equitable policies. By integrating innovative solutions and leveraging technology for better coordination, the mission can enhance its effectiveness in delivering services to children.
Ensuring that children feel safe and supported when accessing these services is paramount. By prioritizing the voices of children and their families in policy development, the mission can foster trust and accountability. India’s children deserve a future free from vulnerability, and Mission Vatsalya is a key step in that direction. By promoting a holistic approach to child welfare, the mission contributes not only to individual well-being but also to the larger goal of social and economic progress for the nation.
The success of Mission Vatsalya lies in its ability to create lasting change. Through continuous collaboration with communities, civil society organizations, and governmental bodies, the mission can help children grow into informed, resilient, and active members of society. Investing in the future of India’s children is not only a moral obligation but also a crucial step toward building a prosperous and equitable society for all.
Selected References and Important Links
- Annapurna Devi. (2023). Centre-state collaboration to enhance welfare programs. All India Radio. Link
- Malik, A. (2023). Govt to launch revamped Vatsalya Mission portal for integrated child protection services: official. The Hindu. Link
- Ministry of Women and Child Development. (2022). Mission Vatsalya Guidelines. Government of India. Link
- PIB. (2022). PIB Press Release on Mission Vatsalya Scheme dated August 5, 2022. Press Information Bureau. Link
- PIB. (2022). PIB Press Release on Guidelines for Mission Vatsalya Scheme dated July 7, 2022. Press Information Bureau. Link
- PIB. (2022). PIB Press Release on Mission Poshan 2.0, Mission Shakti and Mission Vatsalya dated February 2, 2022. Press Information Bureau. Link
- Government to launch revamped Vatsalya Mission portal for integrated child protection services. The Economic Times. Link
- 12 kids get financial aid under Mission Vatsalya. The Tribune. Link
- Ministry of Women and Child Development. (2023). Information on Mission Vatsalya. Government of India. Link
- Ministry of Women and Child Development. (2023). Mission Vatsalya: Juvenile Justice and Child Protection.Central Adoption Resource Authority (CARA). Link
About the Author: Riya Rawat is a research intern at the Impact and Policy Research Institute (IMPRI), pursuing a second master’s degree in Political Science. With a strong background in public policy, gender studies, and international relations, her research interests focus on policy development, analysis, and global affairs.
Acknowledgement: The author extends sincere gratitude to Dr. Arjun Kumar and Aasthaba Jadeja for their invaluable guidance and support.
Read more at IMPRI:
