The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) has introduced two major policy interventions during the Chintan Shivir in Chandigarh (April 24–26, 2026) to formalise the rehabilitation of persons engaged in begging.
The first is the launch of the SMILE–Beggary Survey Mobile Application, a digital tool designed for real-time field data collection. Developed under the SMILE (Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) sub-scheme, the app eliminates delayed reporting and enables district authorities to use data analytics for performance tracking and timely reintegration of individuals into mainstream society.
Complementing this technological shift, the Ministry unveiled the Model Guidelines on Care, Rehabilitation and Management of Beggars’/Shelter Homes. These guidelines establish a uniform national framework for the operation of shelters, covering critical pillars such as preventive healthcare, vocational training, and gender-sensitive infrastructure.
By emphasising convergence with Central and State schemes, the Ministry aims to ensure that shelter homes move beyond mere housing to become centres of holistic rehabilitation, providing legal aid and food safety to ensure a dignified life for all residents.
Key Components of the New Framework
Real-Time Enumeration: The SMILE Mobile App enables digital capture of survey data, ensuring accuracy and transparency in identifying beneficiaries.
Unified Shelter Standards: Model Guidelines mandate standardized infrastructure, nutrition, and sanitation across all State-run and NGO-supported shelter homes.
Vocational Focus: Emphasis on Vocational Training and Rehabilitation to move individuals from dependency to self-employment.
Inclusive Safeguards: Specific sections on Child and Gender Sensitivity to address the unique vulnerabilities of women and children in street situations.
Institutional Oversight: Guidelines include strict protocols for Accountability and Oversight to monitor the quality of care provided in shelters.
Legal Support: Provision of Legal Aid and Awareness to help residents secure identity documents (Aadhaar/Voter ID) and access government benefits.
What is the "SMILE" Scheme?
SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) is a comprehensive umbrella scheme aimed at providing welfare measures to transgender persons and persons engaged in the act of begging.The "Beggary" sub-scheme focuses on a "rehabilitative" rather than "punitive" approach. Instead of treating begging as a crime, the scheme provides for medical facilities, counseling, basic documentation, and skill development. The goal is to provide the "SMILE" of dignity by ensuring that marginalised individuals have the tools, both financial and social, to leave the streets permanently.
Policy Relevance
Transition from Paper to Pixels: The SMILE Survey App solves the long-standing challenge of "inconsistent data," allowing the Ministry to allocate budgets based on actual, real-time numbers in cities like Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata.
Humanising Urban Governance: The Model Guidelines prevent the "prison-like" atmosphere often associated with beggars' homes, replacing it with a humane and dignified management framework that respects constitutional rights.
Driving Inter-Departmental Convergence: By linking shelters with schemes like PM-JAY (Health) and DDU-GKY (Skill Develo pment), the guidelines ensure that the rehabilitation process is not isolated but part of the broader national social safety net.
Promoting "Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat": Standardized rehabilitation protocols are essential for India's goal of becoming "beggary-free," as it ensures that individuals once rescued do not return to the streets due to lack of support.
Empowering District Administrations: Real-time monitoring via the app allows District Magistrates to track the "reintegration rate" of beneficiaries, making social welfare a measurable performance metric.
Relevant Question for Policy Stakeholders: With the launch of the SMILE Survey App, how can the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment link the captured data with the 'E-Shram' portal to ensure that rescued individuals are automatically enrolled for social security benefits and accidental insurance?
Follow The Full News Here:
Launch of SMILE–Beggary Survey Mobile Application
Model Guidelines on Care, Rehabilitation and Management of Beggars’/Shelter Homes