The Ministry introduced Anganwadi cum Creches (Palna) scheme w.e.f. 01 April 2022, for providing day care creche facilities in safe and secure environment to children (aged 06 months – 06 years) of all mothers irrespective of their employment status along with nutritional support, health and cognitive development of children, growth monitoring, immunization, education etc. Anganwadi centres are the world's largest childcare institutions dedicated for providing essential care and support to children ensuring delivery of care facilities till the last mile.

Palna is a centrally sponsored scheme and implemented with a funding ratio of 60:40 between Centre and State Governments and UTs with legislature except North East & Special Category States where ratio is 90:10. For UTs without legislature, 100% funding will be provided by the Central Government. The requirement of Anganwadi-cum-Crèche Centres (AWCCs) is assessed by the respective States/UTs, and proposals are approved by the Programme Approval Board (PAB) after detailed discussions with the concerned States/UTs. Presently, a total of 4,172 Anganwadi-cum-Crèches (AWCCs) are operational across the country.

Ministry of Women and Child Development has issued National Minimum Standards and Protocol in the year 2024 for setting up creches by care service provider who are required to comply with government rules, laws and regulations related to child protection and safety.

Ministry of Labour and Employment has informed that the provisions of the Maternity Benefit Act, 1961 have been subsumed under the Code on Social Security, 2020, which came into effect on 21.11.2025. Section 67 of the Code on Social Security, 2020 provides for creche facilities for establishment with 50 or more employees. Under the Code, enforcement in respect of establishments under the State Sphere is the responsibility of the respective State Governments. Chief Labour Commissioner (Central) Organisation under the Ministry of Labour and Employment is the designated enforcement authority for ensuring compliance with maternity benefit provisions in establishments under the Central Sphere.

This information was given by the Minister of State for Women and Child Development Smt. Savitri Thakur in Rajya Sabha in reply to a question.

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