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10,000 Rehabilitated Under SMILE Scheme; 21 Garima Grehs Shelter Transgender Persons

The government has reported that nearly 10,000 individuals have been rehabilitated under the beggary-focused sub-scheme of the SMILE programme. A total of 21 Garima Greh shelter homes are operational across 17 states, providing safe housing and support services for transgender persons facing homelessness. The SMILE scheme, launched in 2022, is a comprehensive national framework aimed at providing healthcare, education, and livelihood support to marginalized communities. It also includes significant health coverage and entrepreneurship training programmes specifically for transgender persons.

Key Points: SMILE Scheme Rehabilitates 10,000, 21 Garima Grehs Operational

  • 9,935 rehabilitated under beggary sub-scheme
  • 21 Garima Grehs operational in 17 states
  • Rs. 5 lakh/year health cover under Ayushman Bharat TG Plus
  • Rs. 390 crore allotted for SMILE 2021-2026
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Nearly 10,000 rehabilitated under SMILE beggary sub-scheme; 21 Garima Grehs operational: Govt

Govt reports 9,935 rehabilitated under SMILE beggary sub-scheme. 21 Garima Grehs provide shelter, healthcare, and skill-building for transgender persons.

"SMILE represents a decisive shift in how India approaches the welfare of its most marginalised citizens - Official Statement"

New Delhi, April 20

As many as 31,055 individuals have been identified and 9,935 rehabilitated under the beggary sub‑scheme of the SMILE programme, the government said on Monday.

As many as 21 Garima Grehs are operational across 17 states with three more sanctioned in August 2025, according to an official statement.

Garima Greh shelter homes provide safe, dignified accommodation to transgender persons who face homelessness as a result of family rejection or social stigma.

Each home offers food, medical care, recreational facilities, and on-site skill-building support, and is run by Community Based Organisations (CBOs) with financial assistance from the Department of Social Justice and Empowerment (DoSJE).

SMILE (Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise) launched in 2022, is India's first unified national framework to identify, rescue and rehabilitate marginalised people, and to provide healthcare, education, counselling, skill development and long‑term economic independence.

The government said that health coverage worth Rs. 5 lakh per year is provided to every transgender person under Ayushman Bharat TG Plus, covering gender‑affirming care, hormone therapy and sex reassignment surgery at empanelled hospitals.

For 2021‑2026, Rs. 390 crore was allotted by the government for the SMILE scheme.

"SMILE represents a decisive shift in how India approaches the welfare of its most marginalised citizens - not through isolated schemes targeting single problems, but through a converged architecture that addresses identity, health, education, livelihood, and shelter in one coherent framework," the statement said.

The SMILE scheme also offers scholarships for transgender students from Class IX through post‑graduation.

The SMILE sub-scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging, is aimed at achieving the Government's objective of Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat (Begging-Free India) through comprehensive rehabilitation measures.

On a pilot basis, 18 Entrepreneurship Development Programmes have been launched nationwide to train 1,800 transgender persons in business planning, market assessment, regulatory compliance, financial access, and linkages to incubation centers or banks, the statement noted.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

R
Rohit P
Good initiative, but the numbers seem small for a country of our size. 21 homes in 17 states? And only 9,935 rehabilitated out of 31,055 identified? The intent is noble, but the scale and speed of implementation need a serious boost.
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Arjun K
The inclusion of gender-affirming surgery under Ayushman Bharat is a massive, progressive move. This kind of healthcare access can be life-changing. Kudos for that. The entrepreneurship programs are also key for true economic independence.
S
Sarah B
As someone who has volunteered with NGOs, the 'converged architecture' mentioned is crucial. Earlier, a person had to navigate 5 different offices for help. If SMILE truly provides a single-window system, it will remove the biggest barrier to rehabilitation.
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Vikram M
Bhiksha Vritti Mukt Bharat is a great vision. But rehabilitation must be sustainable. Skill development is mentioned, but are there guaranteed job placements or market linkages afterwards? Without that, people might fall back. The proof will be in long-term outcomes.
M
Meera T
The scholarships from Class IX onwards are vital. Education is the real game-changer. If young transgender students are supported through school and college, the next generation won't need shelter homes out of necessity. This is investing in the future.

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