Model Guidelines on Care, Rehabilitation and Management of Beggars’/Shelter Homes Unveiled at Chintan Shivir

1. At a Glance

• Model Guidelines unveiled by the Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment (MoSJE) at the National Chintan Shivir, Chandigarh (24–26 April 2026) to standardise functioning of shelter homes for persons engaged in begging across States/UTs [1][2].
• Provides a comprehensive framework: Preventive Healthcare & Sanitation, Infrastructure & Capacity, Nutrition & Food Safety, Vocational Training & Rehabilitation, Legal Aid & Awareness, Child & Gender Sensitivity, Accountability & Oversight [1].
• Operationally linked to the SMILE — Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise umbrella scheme, especially its Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in the Act of Begging sub-scheme [3].
• UPSC relevance: GS-II (vulnerable sections, welfare schemes, federal implementation) and GS-I (urban poverty, social issues).

2. Why in the News

• MoSJE released the Model Guidelines on Care, Rehabilitation and Management of Beggars'/Shelter Homes during the National Chintan Shivir themed "Antyodaya ka Sankalp, Amrit Kaal ka Pratibimb" held at Chandigarh, 24–26 April 2026 [1][2].
• The Shivir was inaugurated by Shri Gulab Chand Kataria (Governor of Punjab/Administrator UT Chandigarh) and Dr. Virendra Kumar (Union Minister, MoSJE) [2].

3. Background & Evolution

• Begging is a State subject historically governed by colonial-era Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959 (adopted by ~20 States/UTs); criminalisation approach struck down in part by Delhi HC in Harsh Mander v. UoI (2018) for Delhi.
• SMILE Scheme launched February 2022 by MoSJE as an umbrella scheme covering transgenders and persons engaged in begging [3].
• Scheme for Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons engaged in the act of Begging (2021) preceded SMILE consolidation [3].
• SMILE-75 Initiative (Aug 2022) targeted 75 municipal corporations for begging-free cities under Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav; expanded to 181 cities [3].
• 2026 Model Guidelines add a uniform care/rehabilitation standard layer on top of SMILE implementation [1].

4. Core Static Facts

• Nodal Ministry: Ministry of Social Justice & Empowerment; Department: Social Justice & Empowerment [1].
• Scheme type: SMILE is a Central Sector Scheme [3].
• Coverage: 181 cities under SMILE Beggary sub-scheme [3].
• Budget: ₹365 crore allocated for SMILE (2021-22 to 2025-26) [3].
• Performance (as on 31 Jan 2026): 30,257 persons identified; 8,129 rehabilitated [3].
• Sub-scheme components: Survey & Identification → Mobilisation → Rescue/Shelter Home → Comprehensive Resettlement [3].
• Guideline pillars (7): Preventive Healthcare & Sanitation; Infrastructure & Capacity; Nutrition & Food Safety; Vocational Training & Rehabilitation; Legal Aid & Awareness; Child & Gender Sensitivity; Accountability & Oversight [1].
• Convergence: emphasises convergence with various Central and State Government schemes for uniform implementation [1].

5. Multi-Dimensional Analysis

Social / Equity

• Targets one of the most invisibilised groups; integrates child and gender sensitivity as a stand-alone pillar — recognising women and minors in begging streams [1].
• Replaces a penal-custodial legacy (1959 Act) with a rights-based rehabilitative framework.

Legal / Constitutional

• Aligns with Article 21 (right to life with dignity) and Article 41 (DPSP — right to public assistance in cases of want) — informs the Harsh Mander (2018) jurisprudence decriminalising begging in Delhi.
• Begging remains under State List; Model Guidelines work via advisory/cooperative federalism rather than statutory mandate [1].

Administrative / Governance

• Standardisation tackles inter-State variance in shelter-home quality; Accountability & Oversight pillar institutionalises monitoring [1].
• Convergence with PMAY, Ayushman Bharat, Skill India, PDS, ICDS implicit in convergence emphasis [1].

Economic

• Vocational Training & Rehabilitation pillar aims to translate rescue into livelihoods; SMILE outlay ₹365 cr (5 years) is modest, signalling reliance on convergence rather than fresh outlay [3].

6. Recent Developments (last 12-18 months)

• 24–26 April 2026: National Chintan Shivir, Chandigarh — Model Guidelines unveiled [1][2].
• April 2026: Concluding session adopts time-bound roadmap aligning social justice delivery with Viksit Bharat 2047 [2].
• 31 January 2026: SMILE cumulative numbers — 30,257 identified, 8,129 rehabilitated [3].
• Coverage of SMILE Beggary expanded to 181 cities from initial 75 [3].

7. Prelims Hooks

• Model Guidelines on Beggars'/Shelter Homes unveiled at Chintan Shivir, Chandigarh, April 2026 [1].
• Nodal Ministry: Social Justice & Empowerment (not Ministry of Women & Child Development) [1].
• Theme of Chintan Shivir: "Antyodaya ka Sankalp, Amrit Kaal ka Pratibimb" [2].
• Shivir dates: 24–26 April 2026 [1].
• Inaugurated by Gulab Chand Kataria (Governor, Punjab) and Dr. Virendra Kumar [2].
• SMILE = Support for Marginalised Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise — Central Sector Scheme, launched 2022 [3].
• SMILE has two sub-schemes: Transgender rehabilitation + Beggary rehabilitation [3].
• SMILE Beggary sub-scheme covers 181 cities [3].
• SMILE outlay: ₹365 crore (2021-22 to 2025-26) [3].
• Number identified under SMILE (31 Jan 2026): 30,257; rehabilitated: 8,129 [3].
• Four operational stages: Survey/Identification → Mobilisation → Rescue/Shelter → Resettlement [3].
• Seven guideline pillars include Legal Aid & Awareness and Child & Gender Sensitivity [1].

8. Mains Relevance

• GS-II: Welfare schemes for vulnerable sections; mechanisms for protection and betterment; issues relating to poverty and hunger.
• GS-I: Urbanisation and associated problems; social empowerment.
• GS-IV (peripheral): dignity, compassion in public service.

Possible question stems:

1. "Decriminalising begging without rehabilitative infrastructure is half a reform." Examine in light of the 2026 Model Guidelines on Beggars'/Shelter Homes. (GS-II, 15M)
2. Discuss the role of convergence-based frameworks like the SMILE scheme in addressing urban destitution. (GS-II, 10M)
3. Evaluate the shift from penal to rehabilitative approaches in India's policy on begging, with reference to constitutional provisions and recent judicial pronouncements. (GS-II)

9. Related Topics to Study Next

• SMILE Scheme & SMILE-75 Initiative — parent operational scheme [3].
• Bombay Prevention of Begging Act, 1959 — colonial legal frame still in use.
• Harsh Mander v. UoI (2018) — Delhi HC decriminalisation ruling.
• Garima Greh (transgender shelters) — sister rehabilitation framework under SMILE.
• Swadhar Greh / Shakti Sadan — MoWCD shelter ecosystem for women in distress.
• NULM-SUH (Shelter for Urban Homeless) under MoHUA — overlapping mandate.
• DAY-NRLM / NULM — livelihoods convergence vehicle for resettlement.
• Article 21 & 41 jurisprudence — constitutional anchor for welfare schemes.

10. Common Errors / Trap Areas

• Wrong ministry: Begging shelters → MoSJE; urban homeless shelters (SUH) → MoHUA; women's shelters (Shakti Sadan) → MoWCD. Frequently swapped in MCQs.
• SMILE is Central Sector, not Centrally Sponsored — full Union funding [3].
• City coverage figure: SMILE-75 (Aug 2022) ≠ current 181 cities [3].
• Begging itself is a State subject; Centre uses Model Guidelines, not a Central Act [1].
• Chintan Shivir 2026 location was Chandigarh, not Delhi/Kevadia [1].