About this scheme for women
National Crèche Scheme (NCS) is a central government programme under the Ministry of Women and Child Development that provides day-care facilities (crèches) for children aged 6 months to 6 years of working mothers — including daily wage earners, construction workers, domestic workers, farmers, and other women in employment. Crèches are run by NGOs, civil society organisations, and self-help groups with central funding. Services at each crèche: day care, supplementary nutrition, health check-ups, immunisation, pre-school education, recreational activities. Monthly parent contribution: ₹20/child (BPL) or ₹100/child (non-BPL). Government pays ₹5,000-8,000 per crèche per month to the operating organisation. Over 9,000 crèches operational covering 1.35 lakh children. In 2023, the scheme was revised under 'Mission Shakti — Supporting Urban, Rural and Sub-urban Working Women with a Child Care Facility (SUWC)' name with enhanced funding.
Support at a glance
| Scheme Name | National Crèche Scheme 2026 — Free Day Care for Children of Working Mothers |
| Launched By | Government of India |
| Launch Year | 1975 |
| Benefit | Day care + nutrition + immunisation + pre-school education for children 6 months-6 years — ₹20/month for BPL mothers |
| Category | Women |
| Last Verified | 4 September 2026 |
| Official Portal | https://wcd.nic.in/schemes/national-creche-scheme |
राष्ट्रीय क्रèche योजना — कामकाजी माताओं के 6 महीने से 6 वर्ष के बच्चों के लिए मुफ्त/सस्ता day care। NGO/SHG द्वारा संचालित। पोषण, टीकाकरण, pre-school शिक्षा। BPL माताएं: ₹20/माह। 9,000+ crèche, 1.35 लाख बच्चे।
6 माह-6 वर्ष बच्चों की day care + पोषण + टीकाकरण — BPL माताओं के लिए ₹20/माह
What women beneficiaries receive
Day care + nutrition + immunisation + pre-school education for children 6 months-6 years — ₹20/month for BPL mothers
Which women qualify
- ✓Working mothers (employed/daily wage/self-employed) with children aged 6 months to 6 years
- ✓Priority to BPL families, SC/ST, women in unorganised sector
- ✓Construction workers, domestic workers, agricultural labourers, and factory workers prioritised
- ✓Application to nearest crèche — find crèche via local ICDS/WCD office
Documents to keep ready
How to enrol
- 1Locate the nearest crèche under this scheme (now also called SUWC) through your local ICDS/Anganwadi or WCD office.
- 2Submit the child's birth certificate and Aadhaar of both mother and child to the crèche's operating NGO or SHG.
- 3Provide employment or work proof (daily wage slip, employment letter) confirming the mother's working status.
- 4Show a BPL card to pay the subsidised ₹20/month fee, or pay ₹100/month if non-BPL.
- 5Submit the child's immunisation record as required for the crèche's health monitoring.
- 6Enrol the child (aged 6 months to 6 years) for daily day care, nutrition, health check-ups, and pre-school activities.
Official Government Portal
Applications go through wcd.nic.in only. Applying is free of charge — no agent, middleman or "consultant" is ever required.
🔗Apply on wcd.nic.in/schemes/national-creche-scheme