Ministry of Women and Child Development continuously monitors and reviews the implementation of Mission Vatsalya
The Mission Vatsalya Scheme is a Centrally Sponsored Scheme which is implemented by the States and Union Territories (UTs) to support Children in Need of care and Protection (CNCP) and Children in Conflict with Law (CCL). The objective of the Scheme is ensuring care, protection, rehabilitation and reintegration of children in difficult circumstances, including missing and vulnerable children. The Ministry of Women and Child Development continuously monitors and reviews the implementation of Mission Vatsalya, through periodic meetings with States and UTs, Programme Approval Board (PAB) meetings, review conferences, field visits, and analysis of reports received from States and UTs. The Scheme provides institutional and non-institutional care and support services for children in difficult circumstances under the statutory framework of the Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015.
Further, Section 55 of the JJ Act, 2015 provides for the evaluation of the functioning of relevant service delivery structures. Under this provision, the Central Government, State Government, or District Magistrate may independently evaluate the functioning of the Juvenile Justice Board, Child Welfare Committee, Special Juvenile Police Units, registered institutions, and recognised fit facilities or persons, at such intervals and through such agencies as prescribed.
Section 41 of the JJ Act, 2015 mandates compulsory registration of all Child Care Institutions, whether run by the State Government or by voluntary/non-governmental organisations, within a prescribed period, failing which they shall be liable for action under the Act. Further, Section 42 of the Juvenile Justice (Care & Protection) Act, 2015, provides for penal action for non-registration of Child Care Institutions (CCIs). The responsibility for registration, inspection, monitoring, and regulation of CCIs rests with the respective State Governments and Union Territory Administrations. The Ministry of Women and Child Development issues advisories from time to time to States and UTs for the identification, registration, and regular inspection of all CCIs.
The JJ Act, 2015 provides a comprehensive framework for rehabilitation, restoration and repatriation of children in need of care and protection. Section 39 of the Act stipulates that rehabilitation and social reintegration shall be undertaken on the basis of an Individual Care Plan, preferably through family-based care such as restoration to family or guardian, adoption, foster care or sponsorship. Section 40 provides that restoration and protection of a child is the primary responsibility of Child Care Institutions, and empowers the Child Welfare Committee (CWC) to restore a child to parents, guardians or fit persons after due inquiry and determination of suitability.
The Development Monitoring and Evaluation Office (DMEO), NITI Aayog, has evaluated and published a report in year 2025 on ‘Evaluation of Centrally Sponsored Schemes and has recommended that Mission Vatsalya Scheme should continue on the basis of high relevance and efficiency across components of the Scheme.
Under Mission Vatsalya, financial assistance is provided to States and Union Territories for strengthening statutory bodies and service delivery structures including CWCs, Juvenile Justice Boards (JJBs), District Child Protection Units (DCPUs), State Child Protection Societies (SCPSs), State Adoption Resource Agencies (SARAs) and Child Care Institutions. Filling up of vacancies in these institutions is the responsibility of the respective State Governments and Union Territory Administrations; the Ministry regularly reviews the status and issues advisories to ensure timely filling of vacancies and strengthening of rehabilitation services for vulnerable children.
This information was given by the Minister of State for Women and Child Development Smt. Savitri Thakur in Rajya Sabha in reply to a question.
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