There are two types of Crèches under Palna: Standalone Crèches and Anganwadi-cumCrèches (AWCCs). As per Mission Shakti guidelines, for Standalone Creches, there is a provision of one creche worker and one creche helper. Similarly, for AWCCs, in addition to the already existing Anganwadi worker and Anganwadi helper, a provision for a creche helper and a creche worker has been made. Anganwadi centres are the world’s largest childcare institutions dedicated to providing essential care and support to children ensuring delivery of care facilities till the last mile. Anganwadicum-Crèche initiative aims to increase ‘women work force participation’ in the economy. The Ministry of Women and Child Development is targeting to establish 17,000 new Anganwadi-cumCreches under the Palna Scheme in 2024-25.
As of March 2025, 11,395 AWCCs across 34 states/UTs have been approved, as per proposals received from various tates and UTs.
Scheme implementation
The Anganwadi-cum-Creche scheme is implemented with the intra-ministerial convergence especially with Integrated Child Development Services and Poshan. It complies with legislations under labour laws as well as the Maternity Benefits Act. As of February 2025, 1,761 AWCCs are operational with 28,783 current beneficiaries. Besides this, 1,284 Standalone Creches are also operational across the country with 23,368 current beneficiaries.
The Mission Shakti guidelines state that the crèche timings need to be flexible depending on the local requirements. Crèches shall be open for 26 days in a month and for seven and half hours per day as per the work schedule of majority of the mothers in the area.
The creche workers and creche helpers under Palna are honourary workers. There is no provision of salary or wages to the creche workers or creche helpers. However, the scheme guidelines have provision for grant of honourarium to them. The amount of honourarium is governed through the type of crèche.
Maintaining quality care
Palna as a Centrally-sponsored Scheme is implemented through the respective state/ UT Government. The respective states/ UTs may provide additional amount of honourarium to creche worker/ helpers, as a top-up from their own funds.
To maintain quality care and individualized attention, each crèche is ideally limited to a maximum of 25 children. To ensure ease of access and continued breastfeeding for infants, crèches must be situated close to either the: residential areas of the children or workplaces of the mothers. This proximity supports parental engagement and provides convenience in emergencies or regular pick-up and drop-off.
By providing a safe, nurturing, and developmentally appropriate environment for children aged six months to six years, the Palna scheme ensures that children receive holistic care, nutrition, education, and health services. With convergence across key ministries and flexibility to adapt to local needs, the scheme strengthens the foundation for a healthier, more inclusive, and gender-sensitive society