Children in non-institutional care rise fourfold between 2021-2024: Govt

The number of children in non-institutional care, including those in foster care, has increased fourfold between 2021-22 and 2023-24, according to government data.

In the financial year 2021-22, 29,331 children were covered by non-institutional care. This number increased to 62,675 in 2022-23 and to 1,21,861 in 2023-24, it stated.

In a recent letter to states and Union Territories (UTs), the women and child development (WCD) ministry said this rise may be because of the government's initiatives in strengthening family-based care to all children in difficult circumstances.

The ministry, however, acknowledged that despite the increase in approvals and fund releases for non-institutional care during 2023-24, the expenditure has been slow in most states until the quarter ending June 2024.

It has asked all states and UTs to review and expedite expenditure. District-level officials have been instructed to ensure Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT) enabled Aadhaar-based release of funds under t