Rajasthan Palanhar Yojana — Orphan Care Scheme Benefits & How to Apply

What is Palanhar Yojana?

Palanhar Yojana is a social welfare scheme by the Government of Rajasthan that provides financial assistance for the care and upbringing of orphan and vulnerable children. Instead of placing children in institutional care (orphanages), the scheme encourages relatives or known guardians (called "Palanhar") to take care of the child in a family environment.

The scheme provides monthly financial assistance to the guardian for the child's food, clothing, and education. It was launched by the Rajasthan Social Justice and Empowerment Department and covers various categories of vulnerable children, not just orphans.

Who is Eligible?

Eligible Children Categories

The following categories of children are covered under Palanhar Yojana:

• Orphan children — both parents deceased
• Children of AIDS-affected parents
• Children of leprosy-affected parents
• Children of disabled parents (40%+ disability)
• Children of divorced/abandoned women
• Children whose mother is a widow and has remarried
• Children of life-imprisonment convicts
• Children of death-sentence convicts
• Destitute children from extremely poor families

Palanhar (Guardian) Eligibility

• Must be a resident of Rajasthan
• Annual family income should not exceed ₹1.20 lakh
• The child must be enrolled in a school or Anganwadi centre (age-appropriate)
• Children aged 2-6 must attend Anganwadi
• Children aged 6+ must be enrolled in a recognised school

Financial Benefits

Note: These amounts are as per the latest revision. The government periodically increases the allowance.

Documents Required

For the Palanhar (Guardian)

• Aadhaar Card of the Palanhar — See our Aadhaar guide
• Jan Aadhaar Card (Rajasthan family ID)
• Income Certificate (annual income below ₹1.20 lakh)
• Bank account passbook (linked with Aadhaar for DBT)
• Passport-size photographs

For the Child

• Aadhaar Card of the child
• Birth Certificate
• Death Certificate of parents (for orphan category)
• School enrollment certificate or Anganwadi registration
• Relevant proof for the specific category:
  • AIDS/Leprosy medical certificate
  • Disability certificate of parent
  • Divorce decree or abandonment proof
  • Court order for life imprisonment/death sentence

Step-by-Step Application Process

Online Application (Recommended)

1. Register on Rajasthan SSO Portal — Visit sso.rajasthan.gov.in and create an account using Jan Aadhaar or Aadhaar
2. Login and find Palanhar — After login, search for "Palanhar Yojana" in the services section
3. Fill application form — Enter Palanhar details, child details, category of eligibility, and bank information
4. Upload documents — Scan and upload all required documents in the specified format (PDF/JPG)
5. Submit application — Review all details carefully and submit
6. Note application number — Save the application ID for tracking
7. Track status — Check status through the SSO portal or Jan Soochna Portal

Offline Application

1. Visit nearest e-Mitra centre or Social Justice and Empowerment Department office
2. Collect the application form from the counter
3. Fill the form with all required details
4. Attach photocopies of all documents (self-attested)
5. Submit at the e-Mitra centre or district office
6. Collect acknowledgement receipt with application number

Processing Time

• Application verification: 15-30 days
• First payment: Within 1-2 months after approval
• Subsequent payments: Monthly, directly to bank account via DBT

How to Check Application Status

1. Visit the Jan Soochna Portal at jansoochna.rajasthan.gov.in
2. Click on "Palanhar Yojana" under schemes
3. Enter your application number or Jan Aadhaar number
4. View current status and payment history

Important Tips

1. Keep school enrollment active — Benefits stop if the child drops out of school or Anganwadi
2. Annual renewal — Some districts require annual verification; keep documents updated
3. Link Aadhaar to bank account — Payments come via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), so Aadhaar-linked bank account is mandatory
4. Apply for all eligible children — You can apply for multiple children under the same Palanhar
5. Update information — If the child moves to a new school or the guardian's address changes, update through SSO portal

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Q1: Can a non-relative become a Palanhar?

Yes, any person willing to take care of the child can become a Palanhar, subject to income and residency eligibility. They need not be a blood relative.

Q2: Is there a limit on the number of children one Palanhar can support?

There is no strict upper limit, but the Palanhar must demonstrate the ability to care for the children. Typically, benefits are provided for up to 3 children per Palanhar.

Q3: What happens when the child turns 18?

Benefits under Palanhar Yojana stop when the child turns 18. However, the child may be eligible for other Rajasthan government schemes for higher education or employment. Check our scholarship guides for related education schemes.

Q4: Can I apply if only one parent has died?

Palanhar Yojana is primarily for children who have lost both parents. However, children of single mothers (widows who remarried, divorced women) are also eligible under specific categories.

Q5: How is the payment made?

All payments are made through Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) directly to the Palanhar's Aadhaar-linked bank account. No middlemen involved.

Q6: What if my application is rejected?

If rejected, check the reason on the Jan Soochna Portal. Common reasons include incomplete documents or income above the limit. You can reapply after correcting the issues.

Q7: Is the scheme available for children in urban areas too?

Yes, Palanhar Yojana is available for both rural and urban children across all districts of Rajasthan.

Disclaimer: CitizenNest is an independent platform and is not affiliated with the Government of Rajasthan. Information is compiled from official sources for citizen convenience. Always verify details on the official SJE portal before applying.

Related Guides

• Chiranjeevi Yojana Rajasthan
• Indira Rasoi Yojana Rajasthan