Explore the causes, schemes, and legal reforms addressing the growing issue of beggars in India and efforts for their rehabilitation and reintegration.
theIASHub | 05 Jun, 2025 | 2985
India, home to over 1.3 billion people, faces serious economic issues such as unemployment, inflation, poverty, and rising living costs. These problems have worsened the plight of beggars in India, especially in urban areas. Chronic joblessness and lack of basic resources force many to adopt begging as a last means of survival. Over time, begging in India has become not only a social issue but also a threat to human dignity.
Unemployment pushes people into a cycle of poverty that strips them of choices and leads them to streets, temples, traffic signals, and railway stations, where they beg to make ends meet. The increasing number of beggars in India also highlights systemic failures in economic and social policies.
To address the root causes of begging in India, the government introduced the Persons in Destitution (Protection, Care and Rehabilitation) Model Bill, 2016. This proposed law aimed to repeal outdated anti-begging laws and focus on providing protection and care for destitute individuals. It recommended setting up rehabilitation centres in every district to support and rehabilitate beggars in India.
To support the holistic development of beggars in India, various government schemes have been launched.
The Support for Marginalized Individuals for Livelihood and Enterprise (SMILE) scheme, particularly the SMILE-75 initiative, was launched to create a complete support system for beggars in India. It focuses on their rescue, rehabilitation, and reintegration into society by offering shelter, health services, and skill development.
Under the National Urban Livelihoods Mission (DAY-NULM), various sub-schemes benefit beggars in India:
In 2024, Uttarakhand enforced a ban on begging following a court order. The move was aimed at removing beggars from public spaces, especially religious sites. However, the measure has seen limited success, as many beggars in India lack alternative sources of livelihood.
Experts and media reports have revealed a shocking truth: begging in India has turned into an organized crime network. For instance, in Lucknow, over 14,000 beggars are reportedly part of a multi-crore illegal business. Vulnerable people, especially children, are trafficked and forced into begging. This exploitation shows how beggars in India are being used by criminal syndicates for profit.
To truly solve the problem of beggars in India, mere bans and shelter homes are not enough. The government needs to focus on long-term rehabilitation, strong anti-trafficking laws, and inclusive policies for education, healthcare, and employment.
Skill-building, mental health support, and community-based reintegration are essential to reduce the number of beggars in India. Only with a combined effort of government, civil society, and citizens can India hope to reduce begging and restore dignity to its most marginalized.
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