Jharkhand's Mission Vatsalya: 9,000 Children to Benefit from Sponsorship & Foster Care in 2026-27

Ranchi: The Jharkhand govt is gearing up to scale its child welfare outreach, proposing a target to support over 9,000 children under the ‘Mission Vatsalya’ initiative for the 2026-27 fiscal.The state department of women, child development and social security has moved a proposal to the Union Ministry, seeking to link 9,000 beneficiaries with sponsorship scholarships and 150 children with foster care programmes.A high-level meeting is expected in the first week of May to secure the necessary approvals, following which the state will initiate the process of identifying and enrolling eligible children.Reflecting on the previous year’s performance, deputy secretary Vikas Kumar said, “In 2025-26, the state aimed to connect 7,000 children with sponsorship schemes and 100 with foster care. Ultimately, 6,600 and 38 children were successfully integrated into the respective programmes.”To bolster the foster care scheme this year, the department has identified approximately 210 potential foster families across Jharkhand.The sponsorship scheme offers a monthly grant of Rs 4,000 per child to ensure access to education, nutrition, and healthcare. This safety net is specifically designed for children in vulnerable circumstances, including those raised by single parent, children of parents living with disabilities or chronic illnesses.The scheme also extends to orphans residing with extended family and those identified as ‘in need of care and protection’ under the Juvenile Justice Act, including survivors of trafficking, child labour, and abuse.Unlike institutionalised care, the foster care programme allows children to grow up in a family setting, with foster parents acting as local guardians while the state retains legal guardianship. This programme also provides a monthly stipend of Rs 4,000 per child.While the sponsorship scheme has gained significant momentum, Kumar admitted that foster care still faces a gap in public awareness.“To address this, we are prioritising grassroots campaigns involving Panchayat representatives and the general public,” he added.