New Delhi: Chief minister Rekha Gupta on Sunday launched the Aftercare Scheme for Young Persons to support youth leaving institutional care after they turn 18, ensuring their higher education, skill development and financial assistance.Announced on Mother’s Day, the initiative, which has an allocation of Rs 3.5 crore for 2026-27, aims to prevent vulnerable young adults from slipping into insecurity, reaffirming Delhi govt’s commitment to their long-term rehabilitation and dignity, the chief minister’s office said.Approved under the framework of Juvenile Justice (Care and Protection of Children) Act, 2015, the scheme will be implemented by women and child development (WCD) department. It will support their higher education, vocational training and internships; and help them get monthly stipends, career counselling and jobs.Between 150 and 200 young adults leave Delhi’s 88 child care institutions annually. Many of them lack family support and struggle to continue education, acquire skills, find employment, tide over financial difficulties or start independent lives. The new scheme, the CM said, has been designed to provide structured assistance to all such people.Delhi govt currently operates two aftercare homes for both young men and women, she said, adding that it will expand this support through individual care plans and case-based assistance.A state aftercare panel headed by the WCD secretary and district-level committees led by district magistrates will oversee the scheme’s implementation and monitoring, and rehabilitation planning to ensure accountability and timely support to the youth.Gupta said the financial allocation reflects her govt’s commitment to long-term empowerment of vulnerable young adults. “No child should feel he or she is alone after leaving institutional care,” she said, adding that the initiative focuses on building self-reliance.Partnerships with training institutes and prospective employers will be strengthened to ensure that the youth have a smooth transition into adulthood and have stable livelihoods in the capital, govt officials said.
