SMILE Scheme: Strengthening Commitment to Beggary-Free India through Comprehensive Rehabilitation
UPSC / SSC current affairs note · Schemes
Why in news
The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has provided an update on the SMILE scheme, revealing that it is currently operational in 216 cities across India and has rehabilitated over 10,200 persons engaged in begging. The scheme aims to cover 295 cities and rehabilitate 35,000 persons by FY 2030-31, reinforcing the government's commitment to a 'Beggary-Free India'.
Background
The SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) scheme is an umbrella scheme launched by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment. It includes a central sector sub-scheme for comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging. The scheme focuses on rehabilitation, skill development, education, healthcare, counselling, and economic empowerment.
Key facts
SMILE scheme is currently implemented in 216 cities across India.
Over 10,200 persons engaged in begging have been rehabilitated under the scheme so far.
Target to cover 295 cities and rehabilitate 35,000 persons by FY 2030-31.
Focus areas include metro cities, religious, tourist, and historical sites.
The scheme involves collaboration between central government, state governments, UT administrations, district administrations, urban local bodies, and implementing agencies.
Digital monitoring is strengthened through the SMILE-Beggary National Portal for registration, monitoring, and tracking of rehabilitation centres and shelters.
Revised operational guidelines and capacity-building initiatives support implementation.
The scheme aims for long-term social and economic empowerment through rehabilitation.
Awareness campaigns, institutional cooperation, and community participation are ongoing.
Prelims pointers
- SMILE: Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise
- Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment
- Central Sector Scheme
- Umbrella scheme includes sub-scheme for beggary rehabilitation
- Target: 295 cities by FY 2030-31
- Rehabilitation target: 35,000 persons
- SMILE-Beggary National Portal for digital monitoring
- Focus on metro cities, religious, tourist, and historical sites
Mains angles
- GS2: Government policies and interventions for vulnerable sections – discuss the effectiveness of SMILE scheme in rehabilitating beggars and ensuring dignity.
- GS2: Social justice – critically examine the challenges in implementing beggary-free India and the role of comprehensive rehabilitation.
- GS3: Inclusive growth – evaluate the economic empowerment aspects of the scheme and its impact on poverty alleviation.