Palanhar Scheme is a social welfare scheme by the Rajasthan government that gives monthly financial support to families who raise orphan and at-risk children. The scheme has been helping eligible children since 2004 and it continues to support them in 2026 through the official Palanhaar portal.
Instead of placing children in an institution, this scheme keeps them within their own social circle under the care of a relative or foster family. The monthly cash help covers food, clothing and education costs, and it promotes the complete development of children aged 0 to 18 years.
Palanhar Scheme - Introduction
Palanhar Scheme is run by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department of Rajasthan. It supports orphan boys and girls as well as children who need special care because of difficult family situations. A guardian or relative who looks after such a child is called a Palanhar, and this scheme pays that guardian a fixed monthly amount.
The main aim of the scheme is to make sure every eligible child gets food, clothing, education and a stable home without being sent to an orphanage. The state government has set clear benefit amounts for different age groups and categories, and these amounts have been in place since the 2023 increase order.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | Palanhar Scheme |
| Level | State |
| Scheme For | Individual |
| Beneficiary State | Rajasthan |
| Category | Social welfare and Empowerment |
| Sub Category | Financial assistance |
| Benefit Type | Cash |
| Nodal Department | Social Justice and Empowerment Department |
| Launch Date | 2004 |
Benefits
Palanhar Scheme offers cash support to foster families to cover daily expenses and study needs. The monthly amount depends on the age of the child and the category of the family. The financial breakdown is as follows:
| Category | Age Group | Monthly Amount |
|---|---|---|
| Orphan Child | 0 to 6 Years | ₹1500 |
| Orphan Child | 6 to 18 Years | ₹2500 |
| Other Eligible Categories | 0 to 6 Years | ₹500 |
| Other Eligible Categories | 6 to 18 Years | ₹1000 |
Along with the monthly payment, an annual amount of ₹2000 is given for books, stationery, uniforms, sweaters and shoes. This extra grant helps the child continue school without any money problem.
Eligibility
To get benefits under Palanhar Scheme, a child must belong to one of the following categories and meet the basic conditions set by the department:
- Orphan boy or girl who has lost both parents.
- Children of parents who are sentenced to death or life imprisonment.
- Children of a widowed mother who is receiving a pension, limited to 3 children.
- Children of remarried widowed mothers.
- Children of parents affected by HIV/AIDS or leprosy.
- Children of specially-abled parents.
- Children of divorced or abandoned women who are getting a pension.
- Children of parents who suffer from silicosis.
There are also some additional conditions that every applicant must meet:
- The child must be under 18 years of age.
- If a student is 18 and still studying in class 12 or below, they can get the benefit for one more year until they turn 19 or pass class 12.
- The guardian should be a resident of Rajasthan for at least three years.
- The total annual income of the guardian's family should not exceed ₹1.20 Lakhs.
Application Process
Applications for Palanhar Scheme are now submitted online through the official Palanhaar portal and e-mitra kiosks. Follow these steps to apply:
STEP 1 - Visit the official Palanhaar portal or go to the nearest e-mitra kiosk to start the application.
STEP 2 - Log in to your account. If you are a new user, register using your Jan-Aadhaar ID.
STEP 3 - Once logged in with your SSOID, open the Palanhar application section on the portal.
STEP 4 - Fill in all the required details carefully and upload the mandatory documents.
STEP 5 - Submit the form for review and keep the application ID for future status checks.
Documents
Keep the following documents ready before you begin the application so that the process goes smoothly:
- Jan-Aadhaar or Bhamashah Card copy.
- Aadhaar Card copy.
- Educational qualification marksheets or certificates.
- Caste category certificate.
References
For further details, refer to the following official resources of the Rajasthan government:
- Official Palanhaar Portal
- Palanhar Scheme Page - SJED
- Palanhar Guidelines 2022
- Palanhar Amount Increase Order 2023
- e-mitra Portal
FAQ's
What is the scope of Palanhar Scheme?
Palanhar Scheme provides financial and emotional support to orphan and at-risk children in Rajasthan by helping their guardians raise them within a family setting.
What are the benefits provided under this scheme?
The scheme gives monthly cash support to foster families ranging from ₹500 to ₹2500 per month, plus an annual grant of ₹2000 for educational supplies.
Who is eligible to receive these benefits?
Children who are orphans, whose parents are in jail, or whose parents suffer from illnesses like HIV/AIDS, leprosy or silicosis are eligible, provided the family income is under ₹1.20 Lakhs per year.
What is the maximum age limit?
The standard age limit is 18 years, though students may get support until age 19 if they are still completing their class 12 education.
How can I apply for the scheme?
You can apply online by registering on the official Palanhaar portal and submitting your application through e-mitra kiosks using your Jan-Aadhaar ID.
