Women and Child Development Schemes are among the most important initiatives taken by the Government of India to improve the health, nutrition, education, safety, and overall well-being of women and children. Since women and children form a large and vulnerable section of the population, their development is essential for the country’s social and economic progress.

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The Ministry of Women and Child Development (MWCD) is responsible for designing and implementing various schemes and policies that support mothers, children, adolescent girls, and women facing violence or discrimination. These initiatives aim to reduce malnutrition, improve maternal and child health, promote gender equality, provide financial support to pregnant women, and ensure justice for victims of violence.

The Year End Review 2019 highlighted several important welfare schemes and legislative reforms introduced by the Ministry. These included nutrition-focused programs such as POSHAN Abhiyaan, financial assistance under Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY), support services through One Stop Centres, the Nirbhaya Fund, the Sexual Harassment electronic Box (SHe-Box), and stronger legal provisions under the Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Amendment Act, 2019.

Since 2019, the Government has also expanded many of these schemes and launched new initiatives to address changing challenges.

Importance of Women and Child Development

The development of women and children directly affects the country’s future.

Strong welfare policies help to:

• Improve nutrition and health.
• Reduce maternal and infant mortality.
• Prevent child malnutrition.
• Ensure education for children.
• Promote women’s empowerment.
• Protect women and children from violence.
• Improve gender equality.
• Strengthen economic development.

For these reasons, the Ministry of Women and Child Development continues to introduce new programs and improve existing ones.

Bharatiya Poshan Krishi Kosh (BPKK)

The Bharatiya Poshan Krishi Kosh was launched in November 2019.

It connects agriculture with nutrition to encourage healthy eating habits.

Objectives

• Promote nutritious local crops.
• Document traditional food practices.
• Improve nutrition through local agriculture.
• Encourage sustainable farming.
• Develop a Food Atlas based on India’s regional food systems.
• Cover India’s 128 agro-climatic zones.

Importance

The scheme encourages people to consume locally available nutritious foods instead of relying only on processed foods.

POSHAN Abhiyaan

POSHAN Abhiyaan (National Nutrition Mission) was launched in March 2018.

It is one of India’s largest nutrition improvement programs.

Main Objectives

The mission aims to improve the nutritional status of:

• Children (0-6 years)
• Pregnant women
• Lactating mothers
• Adolescent girls

Major Targets

The mission seeks to:

• Reduce stunting among children.
• Reduce underweight children.
• Reduce anaemia among children.
• Reduce anaemia among women and adolescent girls.
• Reduce low birth weight.

POSHAN Abhiyaan focuses on bringing different ministries together so that nutrition-related services work in coordination.

Supplementary Nutrition

The scheme itself does not provide food directly.

Nutritious food is provided through Anganwadi Services, while POSHAN Abhiyaan monitors and improves overall nutrition delivery.

POSHAN Maah

Every year, September is celebrated as POSHAN Maah, during which awareness programs are organized across the country.

Recent Developments

After 2021, POSHAN Abhiyaan became part of Mission POSHAN 2.0, which combines nutrition programs to improve efficiency and reduce child malnutrition across India.

Mission POSHAN 2.0

Mission POSHAN 2.0 was launched to strengthen nutrition services further.

Objectives

• Improve nutrition among women and children.
• Modernize Anganwadi Centres.
• Promote healthy diets.
• Reduce stunting and wasting.
• Improve growth monitoring using digital technology.

Importance

Mission POSHAN 2.0 combines several nutrition schemes into one integrated program for better implementation.

Saksham Anganwadi

The Government introduced Saksham Anganwadi to modernize Anganwadi Centres.

Features

• Better infrastructure.
• Smart growth monitoring devices.
• Improved nutrition services.
• Early childhood education.
• Digital record keeping.

Importance

It improves the quality of services delivered to children and mothers.

Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)

This scheme provides financial assistance to pregnant women.

It is a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme.

Money is directly transferred to the beneficiary’s bank account.

Objectives

• Improve maternal nutrition.
• Reduce financial burden during pregnancy.
• Compensate partially for wage loss.
• Encourage institutional healthcare.

Benefits

Eligible women receive financial assistance after completing conditions such as:

• Early pregnancy registration.
• Antenatal check-ups.
• Birth registration.
• Child vaccination.

Beneficiaries also receive incentives under Janani Suraksha Yojana (JSY) if eligible.

PMMVY 2.0

The scheme has now been expanded under Mission Shakti, allowing wider coverage and greater support for eligible women.

Anganwadi Services

Anganwadi Centres are the backbone of child nutrition in India.

They provide:

• Supplementary nutrition.
• Pre-school education.
• Growth monitoring.
• Health check-ups.
• Immunization support.
• Nutrition counselling.

Thousands of Anganwadi workers serve villages and urban communities across India.

One Stop Centre Scheme

Women facing violence often require several services immediately.

The One Stop Centre Scheme provides all essential support under one roof.

Services

• Police assistance.
• Medical treatment.
• Legal counselling.
• Psychological counselling.
• Temporary shelter.
• Video conferencing with courts where available.

Importance

It provides quick assistance to women affected by violence.

The scheme operates under Mission Shakti.

Mission Shakti

Mission Shakti was launched to combine several women empowerment schemes.

It has two major components:

Sambal

Focuses on women’s safety through:

• One Stop Centres
• Women Helpline
• Beti Bachao Beti Padhao
• Nari Adalat (selected areas)

Samarthya

Focuses on women’s welfare through:

• PMMVY
• Saksham Anganwadi
• Child care support
• Nutrition programs

Mission Shakti aims to improve both protection and empowerment of women.

Nirbhaya Fund

The Nirbhaya Fund was created to improve women’s safety.

It supports projects that:

• Increase women’s security.
• Use modern technology.
• Improve emergency response.
• Strengthen surveillance.
• Protect victims’ privacy.
• Avoid duplication of existing schemes.

Several ministries implement projects using this fund.

Sexual Harassment electronic Box (SHe-Box)

SHe-Box is an online complaint portal.

Women working in:

• Government offices
• Private companies

can register complaints of workplace sexual harassment.

Features

• Online complaint filing.
• Direct transfer to the concerned authority.
• Faster grievance redressal.
• Better monitoring.

It supports implementation of the Sexual Harassment of Women at Workplace Act.

Beti Bachao Beti Padhao

This national campaign promotes:

• Saving the girl child.
• Educating the girl child.
• Empowering girls.

The program also focuses on improving the child sex ratio and encouraging girls’ education.

Mission Vatsalya

Mission Vatsalya focuses on child protection.

It supports:

• Orphaned children.
• Children in difficult situations.
• Adoption services.
• Child care institutions.
• Foster care.
• Child protection services.

The mission strengthens India’s child welfare system.

POCSO Amendment Act, 2019

The Protection of Children from Sexual Offences (POCSO) Amendment Act, 2019 strengthened child protection laws.

Major Changes

Death Penalty

The amendment introduced the death penalty for certain aggravated sexual offences against children.

Stronger Punishment

Punishment for aggravated penetrative sexual assault increased to:

• Minimum 20 years imprisonment.
• Up to life imprisonment.
• Death penalty in severe cases.

Child Pornography Defined

For the first time, the law clearly defined child pornography.

It includes:

• Photographs.
• Videos.
• Computer-generated images.
• Digital content involving children.

Storage of Child Pornography

Punishment was increased.

The law also penalizes:

• Failure to delete such material.
• Failure to report it.
• Distribution or transmission of child sexual abuse material.

Criminal Law (Amendment) Act, 2018

The Act introduced stricter punishment for sexual offences.

Major provisions include:

• Death penalty for rape of girls below 12 years.
• Investigation within two months.
• Trial within two months.

This aims to ensure faster justice.

National Database on Sexual Offenders (NDSO)

The Government launched a national database to help law enforcement agencies.

It helps in:

• Tracking offenders.
• Investigation.
• Crime analysis.
• Prevention of repeat offences.

Investigation Tracking System for Sexual Offences (ITSSO)

This digital platform helps police monitor investigations.

It ensures:

• Faster investigation.
• Time-bound monitoring.
• Better accountability.

DNA Analysis Laboratories

Modern DNA laboratories have been strengthened across India.

These laboratories:

• Improve forensic investigation.
• Speed up criminal trials.
• Increase scientific accuracy.

Cyber Crime Prevention against Women and Children (CCPWC)

The Government launched an online cybercrime reporting portal.

Citizens can report:

• Child pornography.
• Child sexual abuse material.
• Rape videos.
• Sexually explicit online content.

This helps police take faster action against cyber crimes.

Mission Shakti and Mission Vatsalya (Recent Reforms)

In recent years, the Government has reorganized women and child welfare schemes.

The two major umbrella missions are:

Mission Shakti

Focuses on women’s:

• Safety
• Empowerment
• Financial support
• Legal assistance

Mission Vatsalya

Focuses on:

• Child protection.
• Adoption.
• Child welfare institutions.
• Juvenile justice.
• Rehabilitation.

These missions improve coordination among different schemes.

Importance of Women and Child Development Schemes

These schemes have transformed India’s welfare system.

Their major benefits include:

• Better nutrition.
• Improved maternal health.
• Safer workplaces.
• Stronger child protection.
• Increased women’s empowerment.
• Financial support during pregnancy.
• Better local nutrition planning.
• Improved cyber safety.
• Faster justice for victims.
• Greater social equality.

Together, these initiatives contribute to inclusive national development.

Conclusion

Women and Child Development Schemes are essential for building a healthy, educated, and empowered society. Over the years, the Government of India has introduced several important initiatives to improve nutrition, maternal health, child welfare, women’s safety, and legal protection. Schemes such as POSHAN Abhiyaan, Mission POSHAN 2.0, Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana, Mission Shakti, Mission Vatsalya, and One Stop Centres have strengthened support systems for women and children across the country.

At the same time, legislative reforms like the POCSO Amendment Act, 2019 and stronger cybercrime prevention measures have enhanced child safety and women’s security. Continuous improvements in digital governance, nutrition services, and welfare delivery show India’s commitment to inclusive development.

As of 2026, these schemes remain central to the country’s efforts to achieve better health, gender equality, child protection, and social justice. Understanding these initiatives is important for students, competitive examination aspirants, policymakers, and every citizen interested in India’s welfare and development.

FAQs on Women and Child Development Schemes

1. What are Women and Child Development Schemes?

Women and Child Development Schemes are government initiatives that improve the health, nutrition, education, safety, and welfare of women and children across India.

2. What is POSHAN Abhiyaan?

POSHAN Abhiyaan is a national nutrition mission launched in 2018 to reduce stunting, undernutrition, anaemia, and low birth weight among children, pregnant women, and lactating mothers.

3. What is Mission POSHAN 2.0?

Mission POSHAN 2.0 is an integrated nutrition programme that strengthens Anganwadi Services, improves child nutrition, and modernizes nutrition delivery across India.

4. What is the Pradhan Mantri Matru Vandana Yojana (PMMVY)?

PMMVY is a Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) scheme that provides financial assistance to eligible pregnant and lactating women to support their nutritional needs and compensate for wage loss.

5. What is the purpose of the One Stop Centre Scheme?

The One Stop Centre Scheme provides women affected by violence with medical aid, legal assistance, police support, counselling, and temporary shelter under one roof.

6. What is the Nirbhaya Fund?

The Nirbhaya Fund is a dedicated government fund created to finance projects that improve the safety, security, and protection of women across India.

7. What is the POCSO Amendment Act, 2019?

The POCSO Amendment Act, 2019 strengthened child protection laws by introducing stricter punishments, including the death penalty for certain aggravated sexual offences against children, and expanded provisions related to child pornography.

8. What is Mission Shakti?

Mission Shakti is an umbrella scheme launched to improve women’s safety, security, empowerment, and welfare by integrating several government programmes under one mission.

9. What is Mission Vatsalya?

Mission Vatsalya is a child protection programme that supports orphaned, abandoned, and vulnerable children through adoption services, child care institutions, foster care, and rehabilitation.

10. Why are Women and Child Development Schemes important?

These schemes help reduce malnutrition, improve maternal and child health, protect women and children from violence, promote education, strengthen social security, and contribute to the overall development of the nation.