The Gujarat government disbursed ₹80.81 crore in financial assistance to 21,881 beneficiaries under its Palak Mata-Pita Yojana (Foster Parent Scheme) in the financial year 2025-26, according to official figures. Separately, 22,224 children received ₹41.11 crore between April and September 2025, underlining the scheme's growing reach across the state.

What the Scheme Provides

Implemented by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, the Palak Mata-Pita Yojana extends ₹3,000 per month to orphaned children aged up to 18 years who are being raised by relatives or foster parents. The monthly grant is designed to cover education, healthcare, and other essential needs, allowing children to remain in a family environment rather than institutional care.

Beneficiaries say the stipend has made a tangible difference. Sneha Chaudhary, a scheme recipient, said: 'Under the Palak Mata-Pita Yojana, we receive ₹3,000 every month from the government. This has helped me a lot with my education, allowing me to attend tuition classes. I have been able to study a great deal with this assistance.'

Another beneficiary, Meet Patel, confirmed the money had eased his educational costs. 'A total of ₹3,000 deposited into my account covered my school fees and tuition fees, providing me with great relief,' he said. Patel added that he is currently pursuing an MS-CIT course and is close to completing his postgraduate studies.

Who Qualifies and How to Apply

According to Sanjay Patel, a child protection officer in Gandhinagar, the scheme is specifically targeted at orphaned children being raised by close relatives — maternal and paternal uncles, grandparents, and similar kin. Applications are submitted online through the Social Justice and Empowerment Department's official portal.

Once an application is filed, the Child Welfare Committee reviews it and assesses the child's circumstances before approving assistance. The committee's mandate is to ensure the grant reaches children who are genuinely dependent on non-parental family care.

The Approval Process

Alkaben Rawal, a member of the Child Welfare Committee in Ahmedabad, explained that every application triggers a structured review. 'After receiving an application, we prepare a care plan for the child. Once the home inspection report and all the necessary documentation have been completed, we issue an order approving the child for benefits under the sponsorship scheme,' she said.

Rawal noted that both the sponsorship scheme and the Palak Mata-Pita Yojana share a common objective — ensuring children grow up in a family setting rather than in institutional facilities.

Broader Child Welfare Ecosystem

The Foster Parent Scheme sits within a wider network of Gujarat government programmes targeting children's health, education, and welfare. Related initiatives include the Vahli Dikri Yojana, Mukhyamantri Alpahaar Yojana, Digital Health Passport, Namo Saraswati Vigyan Sadhana Yojana, and Namo Lakshmi Yojana. Together, these schemes reflect the state's stated priority of creating a social safety net for vulnerable children.

With disbursements rising year-on-year, the scheme's expansion into the next financial year will be watched as a benchmark for how effectively state welfare frameworks translate budgetary commitments into ground-level impact.