Central government's SMILE Scheme is providing welfare and rehabilitation support to transgender persons and people engaged in the act of begging across India. SMILE stands for "Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood & Enterprise". Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment launched this umbrella scheme on 12 February 2022.
This article explains the details of SMILE Yojana, including benefits, budget, latest update, and how to apply.
What is SMILE Scheme
SMILE Scheme has two sub-schemes under it:
- Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons - this part covers scholarships, skill training, health cover, shelter homes and protection cells for transgender persons.
- Central Sector Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging - this part focuses on survey, rescue, shelter, skill training and resettlement of people engaged in begging.
Both sub-schemes work with state governments, urban local bodies, voluntary organizations and community based organizations to reach eligible people. Official scheme details and guidelines are available on the Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment website.
Budget of SMILE Scheme
Ministry has allocated ₹365 crore for SMILE Scheme from 2021-22 to 2025-26. Out of this, ₹265 crore is for transgender welfare and ₹100 crore for beggary rehabilitation. Year-wise allocation has been rising every year.
Benefits for Transgender Community
Scholarships are available for transgender students studying from class 9th up to post-graduation. Students need a valid Transgender Certificate from the National Portal and full-time enrollment in a recognized school, college or technical course. The scholarship covers one academic year per class and is not given if the student is already getting another central or state scholarship.
Skill development and income support is provided under PM-DAKSH scheme. Training is linked to industry needs and includes entrepreneurship programs. On a pilot basis, 18 Entrepreneurship Development Programmes have been started to train 1,800 transgender persons in business planning and financial access.
Under Composite Medical Health, a complete health package is provided in convergence with Ayushman Bharat PM-JAY. Ayushman Bharat TG Plus gives every transgender person ₹5 lakh cashless health cover per year at empanelled hospitals. This covers hormone therapy, sex reassignment surgery, post-operative care and general treatment. Eligible persons get an Ayushman Transgender Health Card after getting the Transgender Certificate.
Garima Greh shelter homes provide food, clothing, medical care, recreational facilities and skill development support to transgender persons who need housing. As per the latest official data, 23 Garima Grehs are being supported across 17 states/UTs, out of which 6 were newly approved and opened during 2025-26.
Transgender Protection Cell in each state monitors offences against transgender persons and makes sure timely registration, investigation and prosecution happens. National Portal for Transgender Persons and helpline provide information and solutions when needed.
Benefits for People Engaged in Begging
The beggary sub-scheme works towards Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat, which means a Begging-Free India. It starts with survey and identification of people engaged in begging, then mobilisation with counselling, rescue and shelter home placement, and finally skill training and resettlement.
People are offered skill training in carpentry, tailoring, cooking, gardening, security work, sanitation and e-rickshaw driving so they can earn a living. Self-help groups are formed and people are connected to banks for financial support. Those who need special care, like elderly people or those recovering from addiction, are linked to old age homes, de-addiction centres and other government programs.
Pilot projects were first started in 10 cities - Delhi, Bangalore, Chennai, Hyderabad, Indore, Lucknow, Mumbai, Nagpur, Patna and Ahmedabad. The sub-scheme is now operational in 181 selected cities across the country.
SMILE Scheme Update 2026
As per the PIB update of February 2026, a total of 30,257 individuals were identified as engaged in the act of begging and 8,129 individuals were rehabilitated in different cities as on 31 January 2026. By March 2026, these numbers went up to 31,055 identified and 9,935 rehabilitated, as per the PIB backgrounder from April 2026.
Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has also released revised scheme guidelines. Revised Scheme Guidelines (2nd Revision) came into effect from 10 June 2025, and the approved SMILE Beggary Scheme Revised Guidelines were issued on 15 July 2026. Details of rehabilitation centres and shelter homes are collected, registered and monitored through the SMILE-Beggary National Portal.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme Name | SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood & Enterprise) |
| Launched By | Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment |
| Launch Date | 12 February 2022 |
| Beneficiaries | Transgender persons and people engaged in the act of begging |
| Budget | ₹365 crore (2021-22 to 2025-26) |
| Health Cover | ₹5 lakh per year under Ayushman Bharat TG Plus |
| Application Mode | Online through National Portal for Transgender Persons and SMILE-Beggary National Portal |
| Official Website | socialjustice.gov.in |
How to Apply for SMILE Scheme
Application process depends on which sub-scheme a person needs. For transgender welfare benefits, the first step is to get a Transgender Certificate and Identity Card from the National Portal for Transgender Persons. This certificate is required to get benefits under SMILE Scheme, including scholarship, health cover and other welfare measures. More details are also available in the Transgender ID Card application guide.
STEP 1 - Go to the National Portal for Transgender Persons at transgender.dosje.gov.in and register as a new applicant.
STEP 2 - Fill the application form with personal details and upload the required documents like proof of identity, address and photograph.
STEP 3 - Submit the form and note the application number for tracking. After verification, the Transgender Certificate and Identity Card are issued.
STEP 4 - Use the certificate to apply for SMILE benefits like scholarship, Ayushman Transgender Health Card, skill training under PM-DAKSH or Garima Greh shelter home support.
For the beggary sub-scheme, people engaged in begging are identified through surveys and mobilised by district administration, urban local bodies and municipal corporations. Rescue and shelter home placement is done through implementing authorities, and details are monitored on the SMILE-Beggary National Portal.
FAQ's
Who can get benefit under SMILE Scheme?
Transgender persons who hold a valid Transgender Certificate from the National Portal and people engaged in the act of begging are eligible for benefits under the two sub-schemes.
Is SMILE Scheme still running in 2026?
Yes. SMILE Scheme is still operational. The beggary sub-scheme is running in 181 cities and the revised guidelines are valid up to 31 March 2028.
What is the health benefit under SMILE Scheme?
Every transgender person gets ₹5 lakh cashless health cover per year under Ayushman Bharat TG Plus. It covers hormone therapy, sex reassignment surgery, post-operative care and general treatment at empanelled hospitals.
Where to apply for Transgender Certificate?
Transgender Certificate and Identity Card are issued through the National Portal for Transgender Persons at transgender.dosje.gov.in.