Palanhar Yojana Rajasthan: Benefits, Eligibility & How to Apply

Palanhar Yojana was launched by the Rajasthan government in 2005 to ensure that orphaned, destitute, and other vulnerable children grow up in a family environment rather than an institution. The idea is simple: if a relative, neighbour, or community member is willing to raise such a child, the state will financially support that person.

The word “Palanhar” literally means nurturer or caregiver. Under this scheme, the caregiver is officially recognised by the Social Justice and Empowerment (SJE) Department and receives a monthly grant to cover the child’s food, clothing, and education needs.

If you are raising an orphan or a child from a vulnerable background in Rajasthan and your household income is below ₹1.20 lakh per year, this scheme is for you.

What is Palanhar Yojana?

Palanhar Yojana is a child welfare scheme run by the Social Justice and Empowerment Department, Rajasthan. It was originally launched on February 8, 2005, for Scheduled Caste orphan children, and later expanded on August 23, 2005, to cover orphans from all castes and communities.

The scheme takes a unique approach. Instead of placing vulnerable children in orphanages or state homes, it supports family based care. A willing relative or community member takes the responsibility of raising the child. In return, the state pays a monthly amount to help with the child’s upbringing.

This caregiver is known as the Palanhar (foster parent/guardian), and they receive monthly financial assistance directly into their bank account through the Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) system.

Benefits of Palanhar Yojana

Financial Benefits

• Note: The annual clothing grant of ₹2,000 is not given to children in the widow category. All other categories receive it.
• Payments are made directly into the Palanhar’s Jan Aadhaar linked bank account via DBT.
• A single Palanhar caring for more than one eligible child receives the monthly amount separately for each child.

Non-Financial Benefits

• Children aged 6 and above must be enrolled in school, this pushes families to ensure education continuity.
• Children under 5 must attend an Anganwadi centre, ensuring early childhood care and nutrition.
• Scheme is open to private school enrolments, not just government schools.

Who is Eligible?

For the Palanhar (Caregiver):

• Must be a permanent resident of Rajasthan
• Must be a relative, neighbour, or community member raising an eligible child
• Annual household income must not exceed ₹1,20,000
• Must have a bank account linked to their Jan Aadhaar for DBT

For the Child:

• Must belong to one of the nine eligible categories (see below)
• Children aged 0 -5 must be enrolled at an Anganwadi centre
• Children aged 6 – 18 must be attending school
• Benefit ends automatically when the child turns 18 years old

Nine Categories of Eligible Children

The scheme covers children from nine specific vulnerable categories:

1. Orphan children – both parents deceased (death certificates of both required)
2. Children of HIV positive parents – hospital certificate from a recognised government hospital needed
3. Children of prisoners – parent serving life sentence or death sentence (jail superintendent’s certificate required)
4. Children of parents with leprosy – disease certificate required
5. Children of disabled parents – parent must have 40% or more disability (disability certificate required)
6. Nata children – children of widowed mothers who have remarried
7. Children of destitute widows – widow pension order is the supporting document
8. Children of unwed mothers
9. Children from the Palanhar community whose parents are missing

If a child does not fall into any of the above categories, they cannot be enrolled under this scheme regardless of their financial condition.

Required Documents

How to Apply for Palanhar Yojana – Step by Step Process

Applications can be submitted online or offline. Most people use the e-Mitra kiosk route.

Option 1: Apply Through e-Mitra Kiosk (Recommended)

1. Visit your nearest e-Mitra kiosk (widely available across Rajasthan’s cities and villages).
2. Carry all the required documents listed above.
3. The kiosk operator will help you fill the Palanhar Yojana Form 2013, which is the official application form.
4. Upload supporting documents as required.
5. Get an acknowledgement receipt, keep this safe for future reference.

Option 2: Apply Online Through the SJE Portal

1. Go to the official SJE portal: sje.rajasthan.gov.in or the application portal at sjmsnew.rajasthan.gov.in/palanhaar/
2. Register with your mobile number and verify with OTP.
3. Fill in the application form with the child’s details and your (Palanhar’s) details.
4. Upload all required documents.
5. Submit and note down the acknowledgement ID.

Option 3: Apply Offline at the SJE Office

1. Download Form 2013 from sje.rajasthan.gov.in or collect it from the nearest e-Mitra kiosk.
2. Fill the form carefully.
3. Attach all supporting documents.
4. Submit at the District Social Justice and Empowerment (SJE) Officer’s office in your district.
5. Collect the receipt.

After submission: The District Social Justice and Empowerment Officer reviews the documents, verifies category eligibility, and approves enrolment. Once approved, the monthly amount starts arriving in your bank account via DBT, typically from the next month.

Important: The application is completely free. Do not pay any agent or middleman to apply.

Also Read:

Rajasthan Anandam Scheme for College Students
Shala Darpan Internship Joining & Login Process
How to Download Admit Card from SSO ID

How to Check Palanhar Yojana Payment Status

You can check your payment status at home, no need to visit any office.

1. Go to jansoochna.rajasthan.gov.in (Jan Soochna Portal)
2. Navigate to the Palanhar Yojana section
3. Enter your Bhamashah number or Jan Aadhaar number, academic year, and the captcha code
4. Click “Get Status”
5. The payment status and history for all enrolled children under your name will appear on screen

You can also check through the SJE portal at sjmsnew.rajasthan.gov.in/palanhaar/.

Annual Renewal – What You Must Do Every Year

This is where many Palanhars lose their payment. Palanhar Yojana renewal requires annually.

Every year, you must submit proof that:

• The child is still enrolled in school (for age 6–18)
• The child is still attending Anganwadi (for age 0–5)

If you miss the annual renewal, payments will be paused until the renewal is done.

Submit the renewal at your nearest e-Mitra kiosk or District SJE office. Since the scheme is now linked to Shaala Darpan, school attendance for government school students is auto-verified to some extent but it is still advisable to complete the renewal process every year to avoid disruptions.

Conclusion

Palanhar Yojana is one of Rajasthan’s most impactful child welfare programmes. Instead of sending vulnerable children to institutions, it keeps them within their families and supports those families with the financial means to do it properly.

If you are raising an orphaned child, a child of a prisoner, a child of HIV-positive parents, or any child from the nine eligible categories, and your family income is below ₹1.20 lakh per year, you should apply for this scheme without delay.

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