The Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is enhancing comprehensive rehabilitation and socio-economic empowerment for marginalized individuals through the implementation of the Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) scheme. This umbrella central sector initiative focuses on critical areas such as rehabilitation, medical aid, counseling, education, skill development, and livelihood opportunities, aiming for a sustainable reintegration into mainstream society.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that the SMILE scheme is designed to foster an inclusive society by ensuring marginalized individuals can access welfare services, cultivate essential skills, and build livelihood capabilities. The government’s strategy emphasizes coordinated efforts and convergence among various stakeholders, ensuring that rehabilitation extends beyond immediate relief to facilitate long-term social and economic reintegration.
Rehabilitation Efforts for Persons Engaged in Begging
Under the dedicated sub-scheme for the comprehensive rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging, the Ministry has initiated identification, mobilization, and rehabilitation interventions nationwide. According to the latest data from the official SMILE-BEGGARY portal, 42,589 individuals have been identified or surveyed, with 12,710 persons having been successfully rehabilitated through the program.
The rehabilitation framework incorporates a spectrum of support measures, including essential medical facilities, psychological counseling, educational support, and vocational training. These interventions are meticulously designed to equip beneficiaries with the necessary skills and access to opportunities that facilitate their transition towards sustainable livelihoods and dignified lives. The implementation strategy actively promotes convergence with various government departments, agencies, local bodies, and organizations dedicated to the welfare and rehabilitation of individuals engaged in begging.
The SMILE-BEGGARY sub-scheme was launched on February 12, 2022, with the explicit objective of creating a “BhikshaVrittiMukt Bharat” (Begging-Free India) through thorough rehabilitation and coordinated action. The core approach is geared towards facilitating the reintegration of individuals previously engaged in begging into the broader societal fabric, bolstering their self-confidence and expanding their access to opportunities.
Support for Transgender Persons Under SMILE
The broader SMILE framework also encompasses a vital component for the comprehensive rehabilitation and welfare of transgender persons. The government has established 23 “Garima Grehs” across 17 States and Union Territories to provide essential shelter and support services to destitute transgender individuals. In the past three years, a total of 1,041 transgender persons have been rehabilitated through these Garima Grehs. Additionally, the government has implemented measures focused on healthcare, facilitating the acquisition of official identity documentation, promoting skill development, and creating entrepreneurship and employment opportunities for transgender individuals.
To streamline the process of issuing transgender certificates and identity cards, the National Portal for Transgender Persons has been developed. The portal has facilitated the issuance of 33,303 identity cards to eligible individuals. Furthermore, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with the National Health Authority to ensure convergence with the Ayushman Bharat scheme, under which 147 AB PM-JAY transgender cards have been issued, as per official records.
Efforts to enhance skill development and economic empowerment for the transgender community are ongoing. A total of 725 transgender individuals have received specialized skill development training, and 150 have participated in an Entrepreneurship Development Programme. Three National Transgender Employment Melas have also been organized, benefiting 223 transgender individuals by connecting them with employment opportunities.
Institutional mechanisms have been strengthened to bolster the protection, welfare, and access to government schemes for transgender persons. Transgender Protection Cells have been established in 27 States and Union Territories, and 30 Transgender Welfare Boards have been constituted by various States and UTs to safeguard the rights and interests of transgender individuals and ensure their access to comprehensive welfare measures.
Scheme Evaluation and Future Continuation
An independent assessment of the SMILE Scheme’s implementation was conducted by the National Institute of Rural Development and Panchayati Raj (NIRDPR), Hyderabad, during September-October 2025. The significant findings and recommendations from this third-party evaluation have been taken into consideration and integrated into the revised Scheme Guidelines. These updated guidelines will govern the continuation of the Scheme during the 16th Finance Commission cycle, from 2026-27 to 2030-31.
Through the SMILE initiative, the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment is actively working to strengthen an ecosystem that supports rehabilitation, social protection, healthcare, education, skill development, and livelihood opportunities for marginalized individuals. The scheme’s convergence-based approach effectively brings together central and state governments, local administrations, voluntary organizations, community-based organizations, and other stakeholders to create sustainable pathways toward social inclusion and economic empowerment, ultimately aiming to enable marginalized individuals to live with dignity and self-confidence.
The Chenab Times News Desk