Government Strengthens Comprehensive Rehabilitation And Social Inclusion Through SMILE Scheme

Key Highlights:

• The SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) is an Umbrella Central Sector Scheme by the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment.
• It aims for comprehensive rehabilitation and socio-economic empowerment of marginalized individuals, including persons engaged in begging and transgender persons.
• Under the sub-scheme for persons engaged in begging, 42,589 individuals have been identified/surveyed and 12,710 rehabilitated.
• 23 Garima Grehs have been established across 17 States/UTs, rehabilitating 1,041 transgender persons in the last three years.
• 33,303 identity cards have been issued via the National Portal for Transgender Persons, and 147 Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY transgender cards issued.
• 725 transgender persons received skill development training, and 27 Transgender Protection Cells and 30 Transgender Welfare Boards have been set up.

Detailed Insights:

• The SMILE scheme employs a convergence approach, collaborating with State/UT Governments, local bodies, and other organizations for effective implementation.
• The sub-scheme for comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging was launched on February 12, 2022, with the objective of making India a "BhikshaVrittiMukt Bharat."
• Rehabilitation for persons engaged in begging includes medical facilities, counselling, education, skill development, and livelihood opportunities.
• For transgender persons, support measures encompass healthcare, identity documentation, skill development, entrepreneurship, and employment opportunities.
• An independent assessment of the SMILE Scheme was conducted by NIRDPR, Hyderabad, during September–October 2025.
• Based on the assessment, the scheme guidelines have been revised for its continuation during the 16th Finance Commission cycle from 2026–27 to 2030–31.

Key Concepts Involved:

• SMILE Scheme: An Umbrella Central Sector Scheme for comprehensive rehabilitation and socio-economic empowerment of marginalized individuals.
• BhikshaVrittiMukt Bharat: The objective of the sub-scheme for persons engaged in begging, aiming for an India free from begging.
• Garima Grehs: Shelter homes established under SMILE to provide support and rehabilitation to destitute transgender persons.
• National Portal for Transgender Persons: An online platform to facilitate the issuance of transgender certificates and identity cards.