✎ SMILE scheme empowers marginalized groups through rehabilitation, skill development, and social inclusion under Social Justice Ministry.
Relevance for Banking, SSC & RBI Grade B exams: Polity & Governance
The Union Ministry of Social Justice and Empowerment has operationalised the **Sustainable Mechanism for Inclusive Livelihood and Entrepreneurship (SMILE)** scheme as a centrally sponsored programme to deliver comprehensive rehabilitation, healthcare, skill development and livelihood support to marginalised sections, including beggars and transgender persons. Under its ‘Comprehensive Rehabilitation of Persons Engaged in Begging’ sub-scheme, 42,589 individuals have been surveyed and 12,710 rehabilitated through medical care, counselling, education and skilling, while 23 ‘Garima Grihas’ across 17 States/UTs have sheltered and reskilled 1,041 transgender persons. The scheme’s convergence model—linking central ministries, state governments, district administrations and civil society—ensures sustainable social and economic integration, aligning with exam themes such as **welfare schemes, inter-governmental coordination and inclusive growth** that frequently appear in Banking, SSC and RBI Grade B examinations.
For Banking aspirants, SMILE underscores the **priority sector lending** and **financial inclusion** dimensions, as rehabilitation often involves linking beneficiaries to micro-credit and skill loans. SSC candidates may encounter questions on **constitutional provisions for marginalised groups** or **recent welfare initiatives**, while RBI Grade B mains could probe the **fiscal implications** of such centrally sponsored schemes and their impact on **public expenditure and GDP**. The scheme’s third-party evaluation by NIRD&PR and its integration into the 16th Finance Commission cycle further highlight **governance reforms and outcome-based budgeting**, making it a relevant case study for exam-oriented current-affairs preparation.
Source: PIB (Press Information Bureau)
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