Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood & Enterprise (SMILE) Scheme
Context:
The Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment recently released a progress report on the transformative impact of the SMILE scheme.
The initiative is built on the government's commitment to ensuring that communities which have historically remained at the margins of opportunity are brought into the mainstream.
Recognizing that dignity and livelihood are not selective privileges but conditions belonging to every person without exception, the scheme was allocated a budget of ₹390 crore for the period of 2021-2026.
Target Beneficiaries and Sub-Schemes:
The SMILE framework focuses on two prominent vulnerable groups:
Individuals navigating a world not designed for their needs (transgender persons) and
Those whose circumstances reflect a severe lack of opportunity (persons engaged in begging).
It operates through two targeted sub-schemes:
Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging:
This sub-scheme focuses on on-ground implementation at scale.
As of March 2026, the government has successfully identified 31,055 individuals engaged in begging and has already rehabilitated 9,935 of them.
Comprehensive Rehabilitation for Welfare of Transgender Persons:
This sub-scheme provides a bridge to belonging for the transgender community through dedicated health and shelter interventions.
Key Interventions for Transgender Persons:
Ayushman Bharat TG Plus:
A landmark healthcare initiative under the scheme that provides comprehensive health coverage of ₹5 lakh per year for every transgender person.
Garima Grehs:
To ensure safe living conditions and structural support, the scheme funds dedicated shelter homes known as Garima Grehs.
Currently, there are 21 Garima Grehs operational across 17 different states, with three additional facilities having been sanctioned recently in August 2025.